The movie industry is always far too complex to truly get the franchise mashups that audiences dream of. It usually comes down to the fans to produce the kind of intellectual property and genre mix-ups that put unexpected characters in hilarious or dangerous situations together.
There are some brilliant fan-made short movies out there that take advantage of this concept, which pitch TV shows or film narratives together for something unique. They are well worth checking out, it's just a shame they couldn't be achieved in an official capacity on an even bigger scale.
Apocalypse PoohTodd Graham's attempt to take Apocalypse Now, the gritty Vietnam war movie, and combine it with Winnie the Pooh, might have seemed like a moment of madness. After all, it's difficult to imagine those two things going together, considering the changing tone from realistic and harrowing to whimsical and lighthearted.
Yet, with some witty editing, some mashups in terms of the dialogue, and a real sense of enthusiasm, the project came to life in the most surprising of ways. It's kind of a cult classic now, a hilarious oddity that demonstrates with the right hand, that two opposing subject matters can be combined to bizarre results. It's an early example of what could be achieved through the fan film.
Deadpool The MusicalMarvel's antihero merc with a mouth has been the subject of plenty of fan movies over the years. The fact is, he's just so much fun to write for and once the Deadpool costume goes on, all manner of mayhem can take place. However, one YouTube channel has crafted a real work of genius.
Taking the meta-nature of Deadpool, they've turned his story into a musical, featuring songs and arrangements from the likes of Beauty and the Beast; a combination no one saw coming. While it doesn't use pre-existing footage, instead shooting its own, it brilliantly combines genres and franchises, and its production value is out of this world.
Hell's ClubThere are very few fan-made movies that can combine countless films all in one place. But the ambitious Hell's Club attempted to do just that, taking the titular club as the location to begin the narrative. It's an incredible achievement and what's more, there's a narrative that draws all of these contrasting characters together.
The editing on display is nothing short of phenomenal as scenes from various films, usually involving a bar or club, are brought together, so these characters can interact in a shared space. Some of the cameos and inclusions nod towards major releases in cinema history and indicate that a real film like this would be ever-so-popular.
WholockFans of Doctor Who have had the same argument time and again concerning whether the sister show, Sherlock is superior. With a similar creative team and some crossovers in terms of the casting, usually, fans of one show have wanted to see a link between the pair. Audiences can see The Doctor and Sherlock Holmes meet up in one fan film.
Cleverly titled Wholock the short movie sees Holmes unexpectedly arrive in the T.A.R.D.I.S. much to the delight of fans. It uses some of the best dialogue and footage from each show and is quite inspirational in its design. It's a feel-good moment that unfortunately probably will never happen in an official capacity, as the pair trade wits.
Galactic BattlesGalactic Battles does exactly what it says on the tin. It takes some of the fastest most dangerous ships from a range of science fiction classics, from Star Wars to Star Trek, and pits them against one another, with a tiny bit of new footage which certainly pays homage in the best ways to these hits.
Ultimately, how these different franchises has been put together, with fast-paced editing and a shared narrative, has brought the concept to life. Audiences would be thrilled to see some of these ships battle at some stage, and this extensive film allows that dream to become somewhat of a reality.
BatInTheSunThe YouTube channel BatInTheSun produced far too many brilliant fan films to ignore them all. Their versus series is a must-watch with some of pop culture's larger-than-life characters entering the battlefield against one another, boasting some of their trademark skills.
This is all original footage with expert actors, excellent costuming, stunning effects, and choreography which really would be worthy of the big screen. It answers some of the most debated questions among fandom, concerning who would truly win in a fight of the best.
Uncharted Vs Tomb Raider Vs Indiana JonesThere are a few franchises that fall into the same genre that mimic one another in terms of their narratives and character choices. Tomb Raider, Uncharted, and Indiana Jones all fit that description, with the trio becoming perfect candidates for sequel ideas, despite the fact they can never cross paths.
This short film did the impossible though, allowing the trio to go on the same mission, against one another. It's kinetic and brutal, with brilliant fight sequences that showcase just how great the casting process has been in choosing the right performers for the roles.
Batman Versus TerminatorBatman and the Terminator are some of cinema's greatest heroes and villains respectively. Both characters are unstoppable in their hunt, and the tale of man versus machine is a classic of the genre in its own right. The animated feature boasting both fighters is truly something to behold.
It's easy to imagine the short becoming far more fleshed out, as the action intensifies, but the quality of the animation style cannot be overlooked. It's quite an artistic approach to taking on such a tall task, but the popular release hits on some excellently unique beats when crafting its original story with familiar faces.
NEXT: 10 Best Short Films To Watch On Netflix Right Now
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