If you don't have an event, you don't have a pre-sold commodity. And an event can spiral into a franchise, with sequel after sequel bringing dependable box office into studio coffers. While starting with name recognition gives some films a head start, it comes with a danger zone. A critical task is satisfying old fans while gaining new ones. Any adjustments are weighed carefully, and filmmakers are aware that one move could alienate the faithful.
Some films can overcome fan-based backlash.
But the movie is now the standard by which later Batman movies are judged. Perhaps the best example of transcending negativity is James Bond - the most successful franchise of all time, having survived since 1962. Every time a new 007 flick comes out, there is a chorus of howls from critics and fans about how the franchise isn't living up to its earlier promise. Even with the opportunity for such success, some people remain steadfastly anti-sequel. Many moviegoers believe sequels are never as good as the originals, and some filmmakers feel the same way.