The “soft reboot” or “legacy sequel” has become Hollywood’s most popular way of relaunching an established franchise under the guise of being a sequel, yet still retaining the original film’s characters in a supporting role. At their best, legacy sequels can introduce a new generation of heroes and pass the torch earnestly, as epitomized by films like Star Wars: The Force Awakens, Creed, and Blade Runner 2049. At their worst, films like Jurassic World, Independence Day: Resurgence, and Terminator: Genisys shamelessly pander to nostalgia and rely on familiar iconography without narrative functionality.