14 Unexpected Spin-Offs

The Character: InBreaking Bad -Bob Odenkirk plays Saul Goodman, the crooked attorney who represents Bryan Cranston’s chemistry-teacher-turned-meth-kingpin Walter White, AKA Heisenberg. This show is hailed as one of the greatest television shows of all time. Saul is a side character in AMC’s flagship series, and he is the last one you expect a spin-off for. This is especially true since the series cast includes Aaron Paul’s Jesse Pinkman, Giancarlo Esposito’s Gus Fring, and Jonathan Banks’s Mike Ehrmantraut.

The Spin-Off: Vince Gilligans Breaking Badprequel series,Better Call SaulIt follows Jimmy McGill as a small-time attorney struggling to escape his past as the former scam artist, “Slippin’ Jimmy,” years before he became Saul Goodman.Better Call SaulThe brilliance of Better Call Saul includes its ability to place characters like Gus and Mike in the more tragic story of how Jimmy “broke bad.”

Did It Work? Better Call SaulBetter Call Saul continues to get great reviews. Jimmy’s storyline could feel predictable instead of exciting, but it never does. Heading into its final season, Jimmy remains a sympathetic character—something fans want—even though he is set to lose.Better Call SaulCasual viewers may not like Better Call Saul as much asBreaking Bad, but it is just as good.

The Character:Robin Williams’s Mork debuted in the fifth season ofHappy Days. In an episode, Richie Cunningham sees a flying saucer before meeting the alien Mork. Aside from the Fonz’s strange antics,Happy Days the show isn’t science fiction, but Williams’s performance deserved more recognition.

Their Spin-Off:Mork and MindyThis series explores the former’s backstory as an alien from the planet Ork—where humor is banned—who travels to Earth to study human behavior. After his ship lands in '70s Colorado (Mork is “from the future” in Happy Days), Mork befriends the journalism major Mindy, who helps him adjust to life on Earth. Laughter follows.Happy DaysMork befriends Mindy, the journalism major, who helps him adjust to Earth life after landing in '70s Colorado (Mork is “from the future” in Happy Days). Hilarity ensues.

Did It Work?Despite getting good reviews, the show suffered low ratings throughout its run and was canceled after four seasons in the summer of 1982. Now, Mork is one of Williams’s most loved characters; this launched his legendary career.Mork and Mindysuffered low ratings over its run and ended after four seasons in the summer of 1982. Mork is now one of Williams’s most beloved characters, launching his legendary career.

Character:Writer/director James Gunn favors championing lesser-known, oddball comic book characters.He introduced many “villains” to the DC Extended Universe with last year’s The Suicide Squad., and with last year’sThe Suicide Squad, he brought a lot of “villains” into the DC Extended Universe. John Cena’s “douchey Captain America” appears in Christopher Smith/Peacemaker. He plays second fiddle to Idris Elba’s Bloodsport until the former turns on Task Force X for “peace” and patriotism.PeacemakerPeacemaker is presumed dead at the end of The Suicide Squad.The Suicide Squad, but the audience does not necessarily support him.

The Spin-Off:The Suicide SquadPeacemaker’s credits show he survived the mission to Corto Maltese. Amanda Waller and her team need him to help "save the f**king world." HBO Max’s spin-off series is here.PeacemakerThe series follows and deconstructs its main character and A.R.G.U.S. as they carry out Project Butterfly.

Did It Work? PeacemakerPeacemaker makes its antihero sympathetic. It subverts expectations and uses everything against him.The Suicide SquadThe opening sequence, soundtrack, bald eagle sidekick, performances, gags, and social commentary gave Peacemaker the right direction while expanding DC’s “Gunn-Verse.”PeacemakerPeacemaker is the best-reviewed DCEU project on Rotten Tomatoes so far.

The Character: CheersCheers focuses on Sam Malone, his employees, and regulars in the bar where everyone knows your name. In Season 3, Kelsey Grammer played Frasier Crane, Diane Chambers’s new beau and psychiatrist. Kelsey Grammer’s performance became too popular, so his role grew. Ultimately, he became both a regular and one ofCheersCheers has the best characters. Still, whenCheers closed its doors in 1993, fans did not expect him to become the character for a spin-off.Cheers closed its doors in 1993. Fans did not guess he would be the character for a spin-off.

InFrasierFrasierFrasier’s character moves from Boston back to Seattle after divorcing Lilith. He reunites with his father Martin and brother Niles. Frasier also starts a radio show and sings “Tossed Salads and Scrambled Eggs.” WhereCheersFrasier aligns better with Sam’s comedy style. Frasier does what is right for its hero.

Did It Work? FrasierFrasier won five straight Emmys for outstanding comedy series, matching Cheers.CheersBoth the series and its spin-off stand equal as two of the greatest sitcoms ever.Cheers ranks among the greatest sitcoms of all time..

The Character:In Robert Rodriguez’sSpy Kids(2001), Danny Trejo played Isador Cortez/Machete, the uncle of Carmen and Juni Cortez. His parents, along with the rest of the family, are secret spies. Years later, Trejo appeared in a fake trailer forMacheteMachete, following the main Mexican mercenary, played between Quentin Tarantino and Rodriguez’s films in the double-featureGrindhouse(2007). The mock trailer played so well that writer/director Rodriguez made the R-ratedMachetefranchise—whether or not it follows the same Machete from the very PGSpy KidsMachete is up for debate.

The Spin-Off: FollowingGrindhouse’s B-movie lead,Machetesees its former Mexican Federale turn into a vigilante. He gets double-crossed after nearly being killed by a powerful drug lord. He then handles a corrupt US senator and a campaign against illegal immigrants, leaving bullets and broken hearts behind.sees its former Mexican Federale turn into a vigilante. He gets double-crossed after nearly being killed by a powerful drug lord. He then handles a corrupt US senator and a campaign against illegal immigrants, leaving a trail of bullets and broken hearts in his wake.

Did It Work? MacheteMachete was a critical and commercial success. It spawned a sequel inMachete Kills. Although the sequel was not as good as the first, a trailer for a thirdMacheteMachete film, titledMachete Kills Again, played at the end of it. Maybe someday.

The Character:Adonis Johnson/Creed From The ‘Rocky’ Franchise in the list '14 Unexpected Spin-Offs'Rockyand more soRocky II -Apollo Creed is the main antagonist. After Rocky Balboa loses the third film, Apollo trains Rocky. Their old rivalry turns into a close friendship. This bond survives Creed’s death by Ivan Drago.Rocky IVBefore he died, Apollo had an affair with an unknown woman. She gave birth to Adonis Johnson—a character audiences did not know until his spin-off.

The Spin-Off: After Rocky BalboaEveryone, including Sylvester Stallone, thought the Rocky franchise ended.RockyRyan Coogler’s Rocky franchise took its final bow.Rockyspin-off, CreedCreed introduces Adonis. Apollo’s wife, Mary, takes him in after his death. Adonis moves to Philadelphia and pursues a boxing career with Rocky’s help.

Did It Work?Not only did CreedCreed earned Stallone his first acting Oscar nomination since 1976. The film was so successful it started the Creed franchise.CreedMichael B. Jordan directs and stars in Creed.Creed IIIThis movie releases in theaters November 2022.

The Character: Forgetting Sarah MarshallPeter, a talented but underachieving TV music composer, feels down after his girlfriend, Sarah Marshall, dumped him. To forget her, Peter travels to Hawaii. Sarah stays at the same hotel as her new boyfriend, Russell Brand’s English rock star Aldous Snow. People wonder how the new boyfriend became hilarious enough for a film.

The Spin-Off:Two years after Forgetting Sarah Marshall released,Forgetting Sarah MarshallAldous Snow appears in the road trip comedy.Get Him to the GreekThe film follows Jonah Hill’s talent scout Aaron. His record label tasks him with getting the washed-up Snow to the legendary Greek Theater for a career-saving performance. On the way, the pair pull off many stunts most of us have never seen.

Did It Work?Get Him to the Greek is hilarious, surprisingly touching, and features Hill and Brand plus many celebrity cameos.Get Him to the GreekThis movie was one of the best comedies of 2010.

The Characters: Judd Apatow’s comedyKnocked UpKnocked Up shows two strangers raising a child from a one-night stand. Ben and Alison are central. However,Knocked UpKnocked Up also brings an odd supporting cast. This includes Alison’s married friends, Pete and Debbie. Their family issues provide a funny contrast to Ben and Alison’s problems.

Their Spin-Off: Five years after Knocked Up,Knocked UpApatow directed the spin-off.This is 40following Paul Rudd and Leslie Mann’s supporting characters, Pete and Debbie. The film shows the couple dealing with marriage, having kids, and aging. Jason Segel, Charlyne Yi, and Tim Bagley reprise their roles. Apatow’s own kids play Pete and Debbie’s children.

Did It Work?Rudd and Mann performed well as leads.This is 40.The spin-off failed to live up to the flagship film. It got mixed reviews and performed poorly at the box office. Apatow still wants to make a third film focusing on Pete and Debbie’s children. Maude Apatow’s rising star power means a sequel could happen.

The Character:InBruce AlmightySteve Carell plays Evan Baxter, the rival anchor to Jim Carrey’s Bruce Nolan. That film shows God’s powers given to Bruce. Bruce uses these powers to humiliate Evan by making him speak nonsense on live TV. Aside from that funny scene, Carell appears little inBruce Almighty.

The Spin-Off: Thanks toThe OfficeandThe 40-Year-Old VirginCarell’s star power grew right for a Bruce Almighty spin-off.Bruce Almightyspin-off,Evan Almighty, came in 2007. In the sequel, like Noah before him, the now-congressman Evan gets God’s order to build an ark for a flood. Evan’s beard grows fast, animals follow him everywhere, and the world thinks he is crazy... until a dam breaks and floods the DC area.

Did It Work?Despite Carell and Morgan Freeman’s talent,Evan Almightydid not approach the success of Bruce Almighty.Bruce Almighty.

The Character:The firstShrekshows its ogre rescuing Princess Fiona by clearing his swamp of fairy tale creatures. As the movie’s universe demands,Shrekintroduces supporting characters like the aptly named Donkey.Shrek 2, audiences saw the also aptly named would-be assassin and frenemy Puss in Boots.

The Spin-Off:Eight years after Shrek 2 released,Shrek 2Puss in Boots -a prequel to the originalShrek, showing the origin story for its sword-fighting feline. The film shows Puss’s fight with Jack and Jill, plus his life on the run after being falsely accused of something Humpty Dumpty did., serving as an origin story for its sword-fighting feline. The film explores Puss’s feud with Jack and Jill, as well as his life on the run after being falsely accused of something Humpty Dumpty did.

While not the best film in theShrekfranchise, Puss in Boots succeeds because of its main character and the proven, twisted fairy tale universe he inhabits. The spin-off was popular enough for a Netflix series inThe Adventures of Puss in BootsPuss in Bootssucceeds thanks to its main character and the proven, twisted fairy tale universe he calls home. The spin-off was even popular enough to warrant a Netflix series inIn the Coen brothers classic,The Big Lebowski

, Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) appears at the Hollywood Star Lanes bowling alley. Audiences never actually see him bowl, but the Dude is on a bowling team. The team’s main opponent is Jesus Quintana (John Turturro), a Cuban American who calls himself “the Jesus” and once served six months in Chino for exposing himself to an 8-year-old. Calling Jesus the Big Lebowski’s worst character is true in every way.In the Coen brothers classic,The Big Lebowski, Jeffrey “the Dude” Lebowski (Jeff Bridges) often appears at the Hollywood Star Lanes bowling alley. Audiences never see him bowl, but the Dude plays on a bowling team. The team's main opponent is Jesus Quintana (John Turturro), a deplorable Cuban American who calls himself “the Jesus” and once served six months in Chino for exposing himself to an 8-year-old. Saying Jesus isThe Big Lebowski’s worst character is true in every sense.The Spin-Off:

For some reason, Jesus returns in the spin-off filmThe Jesus RollsThe Jesus RollsJesus Quintana was written and directed by Turturro. It is a remake of the 1974 French film.Going PlacesThe film shows its main character taking misadventures after leaving prison.

Did It Work? The Jesus RollsThe film failed completely and achieved nothing.

The Characters:"The Lone Gunmen" refers to the Warren Commission’s finding that Lee Harvey Oswald solely caused the John F. Kennedy assassination. Many people do not accept this finding.The X-FilesResident conspiracy theorists include Richard "Ringo" Langly, Melvin Frohike, and John Fitzgerald Byers.

Their Spin-Off: The X-FilesThis spin-off series follows these eccentrics as they hunt for various conspiracies and strange events.

Did It Work? The Lone GunmenIts pilot drew 13.2 million viewers. But viewership dropped in the following weeks. By the Season 1 finale in 2001, only 3.6 million people watched. Fox canceled the series.The Lone GunmenThe Lone Gunmen ended after one season. Its legacy compares poorly to the series that created it.

The Character:In The Mummy ReturnsRick O’Connell (Brendan Fraser) and his wife Evie (Rachel Weisz) must stop Imhotep from taking over the world. This time, the ancient mummy plans to resurrect the Scorpion King.the Scorpion King (Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson) - the film shows this in a montage at the start.

The Spin-Off: Johnson’s quiet work in The Mummy Returns seemed interesting. This earned him his first leading role in The Scorpion King.The Mummy ReturnsThis work proved interesting enough for his first lead role in The Scorpion King.The Scorpion King, which happens 5,000 years before The Mummy.The Mummy and The Mummy Returns. The film shows Mathayus gaining power as the Scorpion King. This prequel moves away from the franchise's magic. It shows Mathayus leading a rebellion and becoming king in ancient Egypt.

Did It Work? The Scorpion KingThe Scorpion King received bad reviews. Most critics called it "cheesy." However, it became popular enough to create three direct-to-video sequels that did not feature Johnson.

The Character:At the end of Fast & Furious 6, Jason Statham’s Deckard Shaw attacked Han during the events of The Fast and the Furious: Tokyo DriftThis happened in response to Owen Shaw being hospitalized. In Furious 7, Deckard acts as villainous as his brother in the prior movie. Or so people think. As the franchise moves forward, Deckard, like Dominic Toretto, shows he values family above everything and only sought revenge. That shift seems sudden.

The Spin-Off:As two of the most profitable names in the Fast Saga, Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & ShawShaw and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s Luke Hobbs go full buddy cop film. The contentious pair must set aside their differences and track down Idris Elba’s Brixton Lorr, a cybernetically enhanced soldier armed with a lethal pathogen that could wipe out half the world.

Did It Work?WhileHobbs & Shawdidn’t outdo theFast & FuriousThe films before it earned $750 million worldwide with a $200 million budget. Critics and audiences praised the leads' chemistry.