Will Dora and the Lost City of Gold pave the way for other franchises?

Dora and the Lost City of Gold might not be everyone’s first choice when it comes to live-action reimaginings but could the film change the game for others?

It’s easy to see why reboots and reimaginings are so popular. With Disney churning out multiple live-action reboots of their animated properties, the nostalgia train is carrying a lot of these projects. One movie that doesn’t seem to be getting as much recognition is Nickelodeon’s Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Based on the popular children’s TV series, the film seems like a turning point for the franchise.

At this point, it’s unclear how well Dora and the Lost City of Gold are going to do at the box office. However, it does seem like the film has a good bit of hype around. The trailer for the film has been playing before most other children’s films so people definitely know about it.

If Dora and the Lost City of Gold are successful, what kind of possibilities does that open up for it and other franchises?

What makes Dora and the Lost City of Gold different from other reimaginings is that it made a lot of key changes. First, the film made Dora older than in the original series. While the original series is marketed towards toddlers, the movie can play to a wider audience but still be enjoyed by toddlers. The market isn’t the only thing that’s affected by that change, though.

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In making Dora older, the film can afford to be a little bit more mature. Rather than focus on the learning concepts, the film can focus more on the adventure aspect. In a way, it’s reminiscent of the new Jumanji franchise. It pays homage to the original story with the game but is more comedic and adventure-based as Dora and the Lost City of Gold is projected to be.

Where Dora and the Lost City of Gold will really shine is with its casting. The film has put together a star-studded cast. With names like Eva Longoria, Michael Pena and Danny Trejo as part of the main cast, they spared no expense. They want to show respect to the original series while still making it their own. Most notably, Dora’s parents are given more depth and are less one-dimensional than the series.

If Dora is successful, it could bring an entirely new wave of live-action reimaginings of other childhood favorites. Looking back at Nickelodeon’s catalog, some other properties could include The Wild Thornberrys, As Told By Ginger, Gullah Gullah Island and Shimmer and Shine.

That’s just a small glimpse into some of the shows that Nickelodeon could adapt. There’s no telling what could happen if the Disney Channel and Cartoon Network jump on the bandwagon.

Dora’s success could also mean more eyes on the original property. Younger children are going to see the film and want more. With the series still airing on Nickelodeon today, that could mean a spike in ratings. While that doesn’t hold true for all examples, it’s great PR regardless. If the demand is there, then no doubt the network will capitalize on it.

The film has the potential to be a game-changer in more ways than one. Granted, it might not usher in an entirely new era of film reimaginings but Dora and the Lost City of Gold seem to have a firm grasp on multiple markets. It appeals to kids who are toddlers, those kids/teens who grew up with Dora and the parents who were forced to watch it. If anything, it proves the staying power of Dora the Explorer and that’s something all series want to achieve.

Will you be seeing Dora and the Lost City of Gold? Do you think Dora and the Lost City of Gold will change the game?

Dora and the Lost City of Gold hit theaters on August 9th.