What will TV and movies look like in general? Any specific films or franchises due to be discovered?
Long-Form TV is probably inevitable at this point. More like HBO Rome, Oz, or The Sopranos than any of their episodic predecessors. With earlier Direct Play through Netflix, Blockbuster, Peacock/DisneyDirect, and so forth, Long-Form/Seasonal content is gonna explode fast thanks to binge viewing and perhaps some external factors (I did drop an earlier COVID/Influenza pandemic during the early 2010s which could spur Direct Play).
Doctor Who is not going to be "as" popular or hip as it was during the 2000s since everyone is kinda used to the show and the toxicity will have mostly worn off from people's minds. Heck, it might even experience a decline during this period. As a result, the BBC might be looking for something else to be their highlight Sci-Fi series.
IMO, I truly believe that we will see a
Blake's 7 reboot for the BBC (a show helmed by JMS?), one that is modernized for newcomers and yet familiar enough to old fans. Personally, I'd love to see Blake's 7 diverge from its more stereotypical and campy elements (though I admit it shouldn't be overtly depressing) by playing into its darker and cynical anti-Star Trek themes while maintaining strong characterization and worldbuilding (which is seriously ironic given JMS's work in Hensonverse's Star Trek Discovery).
Personally, I'd love to see dark Sci-Fi be dictated not by America/Canada through the BSG reboot or even The Expanse but instead through Britain, because we all know that the UK had that potential, but it just never had the opportunity. America and Canada should keep themselves to more optimistic Sci-Fi like Star Trek, Star Wars, or Stargate ITTL (Disney could get into that action too!).
Joss Whedon could have a greater impact on geekdom during the 2000s thanks to a more successful Buffy/Final Girl and Tranquility. Assuming he doesn't fuck up again, he could still be making shows for the 2010s.
As for movies, we might see epics become more prominent as was hinted in the post, perhaps in a style that's more true to the actual myth instead of Hollywood shlock like 300 or even Troy. Not sure what would be a good replacement for those epics. Maybe the Aenead, Oresteia, or even the Bacchae?
As for vampire/werewolf media, it honestly might have never emerged without Twilight, and it might even be less likely with a more successful Bram Stoker's series having its heyday during the 90s. There needs to be a replacement.
Same with YA Dystopia, because there's not going to be a Hunger Games (or its clones like Divergent, thank fucking god). However, YA Adventure is still going to be going strong thanks to Harry Fletcher and alt-Percy Jackson. Could we have Percy be a major competitor for Harry ITTL, please?
Personally, I think fantasy works (especially fan works) could be a replacement since D&D, LOTR, and its ilk are within the public consciousness. Critical Role for the 2000s anyone?
Found footage horror might not have taken off without the Blair Witch Project, so horror trends will have to diverge as a result. I'm thinking psychological horror could become more popular as a result.
Tokusatsu and anime is going to be more popular in the West than OTL, though what comes out in that timeline is anyone's guess.
Lastly, movie reboots should be less of a thing, for all of our sanities.
Idea: K-Pop doesn't take off in the western world ITTL.
I'm going to play devil's advocate (though I don't really like K-Pop) and say that it will still take off in the 2000s thanks to South Korea pushing harder into the West thanks to their South Korea Pavilion and their aggressive cultural push.
However, we could see a more diverse pop music sphere since Western Pop hasn't declined that badly and Mando Pop/J-Pop could be really popular.
