Genre (Sorta) Cycle

Twilight, although maybe not received very well by critics, was a smash hit with its fans.  As Hollywood always manages to do when there is a hit, they say, "hey, let's make another movie with basically the same plot and/or themes."  As Amelie Gillette points out in her article, the Twilight director has decided to help another series of books that are being developed into a film (series?).  It's about...Mutant Bird People.  Yeah, I said it.  Anyways, Twilight is a success not only because of the fan base, but also because it is family-friendly (sorta).  Abstinent vampires: what could be better for a parent to show their kid!?

You can read about the bird plot on the AV Club website, but basically, young teens are genetically altered to have wings.  Sounds like a winner, no?  And of course, they are hunted by werewolves...similar to Underworld?

Gillette feels that although these stories are somewhat alike, she directly states that Hollywood "doesn't understand the (genre) formula."  The bird story seems to miss the "parent friendly twist" and lacks the danger that the Twilight characters possessed.  Gillette finishes her report skeptical that this film will work: "Without a purity ring tie-in, feathered friends fighting wolf-people sounds like a Saturday morning cartoon."

I would like to disagree.  I've heard FAR more absurd concepts, and likewise, if the books are successful (just like Twilight is), who's to say the film won't be?!