Three Sci-Fi Prequels We'd Like To See (And The Filmmakers Who Should Make Them)

Even if the Writers Guild strike ends today, there's no doubt that Hollywood will continue to push out more prequels and remakes — most of them uneccesarry or, sadly, offensive — in the next few years. Still, not all prequels are doomed. We’re looking forward to JJ Abrams’ Star Trek, and we’re excited about today’s announcement that Guillermo del Toro is in talks to direct two Peter Jackson-produced flicks based on The Hobbit. News that the awesome Pan's Labyrinth director might bring us a new vision of Middle Earth got us wondering ... What other sci-fi/fantasy prequels would we like to see, and who should direct them? Yeah, we got a list...

3. Robocop: Murphy's Law

Director: Paul Greengrass

Pitch: Greengrass delivered great pulse-pounding action with an anti-authority slant in the Bourne films. Now all he needs is a real special-effects budget. In this prequel to 1987's Robocop, Cillian Murphy stars as young rookie cop (and future Robocop) Alex Murphy, who patrols the increasingly dangerous streets of Detroit. Murphy, a staunch technophobe, leads the investigation to shut down a murderous gang aided by stolen OPC weapons and nano-technology. Murphy discovers that an OCP exec is actually handing out the weapons and technology to criminals so they can "beta test" it on the street. Lots of battles between shotgun-toting cops and nanite-infested cyberpunks ensue.

2. X-Men Origins: Cyclops
Director: Spike Lee
Pitch: Scott Summers can finally get the solid big screen treatment he deserves with Lee's eye behind the helm. Much like Lee's passionate The 25th Hour, this thrilling and emotional look back on Cyclops' (still James Marsden) tumultuous early life (his parents die, he helps found the X-Men, he falls in love with Jean Grey) is told in flashbacks. The story is framed by Scott’s urgent preparation for a battle to the death with the Hellfire Club, who have kidnapped a reawakened Jean Grey. Spike can craft an elegant back story that highlights Cyclops' strength, loyalty and quiet resilience.

1. The X-Files: Mulder's First Case
Director: Shane Carruth
Pitch: Primer’s Carruth can deliver a dark, perplexing, slow-paced film of ideas that follows a young college-bound Mulder (Emile Hirsch) who tours various cults and underground societies searching for an answer to his sister’s strange disappearance. He gets in too deep with a dangerous group of alien worshippers and has to get clever to fight his way out. Superbad’s Michael Cera co-stars as Mulder’s computer and supernatural savvy sidekick.