The term “legacy sequel” has only semi-caught on, but the trend it describes has been going strong for about a decade (arguably beginning with 2010’s “Tron: Legacy”). As each new legacy sequel gets made, it allows the filmmakers of the original as well as new cast and crew to reflect on the ways the initial films impacted pop culture. As Gordon-Levitt described in a recent interview at Collider, growing up with the films was foremost on his mind during shooting:
“The first thing I ever remember learning on piano was that theme song, Axel F, right? […] I have an older brother who loved Eddie Murphy, who loved ‘Beverly Hills Cop,’ as well as ‘Raw,’ ‘Delirious,’ and his stuff on SNL. So it’s an early childhood, one of those deep seated affinities.”
Most people can relate to that sentiment, but this writer can relate even harder: I, too, have fond memories of plunking on piano keys as a youngster, attempting to play Harold Faltermeyer’s iconic “Axel F” theme from officially licensed sheet music. I still don’t know why they never called me or JGL to score the sequels, alas.