Just two actors who’ve returned to play the parts that won them Oscars…

Nevertheless, some actors do occasionally take up the offer and return to the filmmaking well.

The original remains a classic, and for good reason.

The film marched to the Oscars, with Hackman taking home one of its five gongs.

He made a decent fist of it too.

Wise to reprise?Yep.

When he madeArthur, back in 1981, he was at the height of his movie powers, certainly.

The genius piece of casting here though was bringing in John Gielgud to play Arthurs manservant, Hobson.

If it sounds like a bad script conference idea, thats certainly how it played out as well.

Wise to reprise?Yikes.

A forgettable movie for all concerned.

The movie would win five Oscars in all, includes ones for Brooks and for Jack Nicholson.

The movie disappeared shortly after its release, was widely booed by critics, and is barely mentioned now.

Wise to reprise?No.

Heck, you get bonus Brian Dennehy too, and not many films can say that.

That sequel, Cocoon: The Return,followed three years later.

But this time,Cocoonhad snagged two Oscars, one for Ameche and one for its visual effects.

And you know what?

Its not a bad sequel either.

Unfortunately, poor reviews and bad box office killed chances of a fancy box set…

Wise to reprise?It did no harm, in truth.

And Ameche is great in both films.

Douglas is just as strong here, but the film around him isnt.

Its a shame that the film gets so distracted from more interesting targets than the ones it chooses.

So it turned out.

As a consequence, the impact of Hannibal Lector became somewhat diluted.

InThe Silence Of The Lambs,Lector works because we see so little of him.

Wise to reprise?Financially, yes.

Still, Jack Palance manages it.

WhenCity Slickershit big though, two things happened.

Firstly, Jack Palance finally won an Oscar.

Secondly, Castle Rock wanted a sequel.

Youll be telling us they re-cloned Ripley next.

The wit didnt stick, and there just seemed less point to the second film.

It was not, in hindsight, a successful production.

Wise to reprise?There was no harm in it.

But very few people were watching.

Its not Jones best screen performance his little-seen turn as Ty Cobb is exceptional yet its still excellent.

The films popularity helped too in his journey to the Oscar stage.

The sequel, though, is really quite shit.

Robert Downey Jr was also hired, at a point when his name did not sell extra tickets.

Bereft of tension,US Marshalsdid a decent amount of business, but nowhere nearFugitivelevels.

Samuel Gerard has not been seen on the big screen since.

Wise to reprise?Again: for Jones bank manager, yes.

ButUS Marshalscant hold a candle toThe Fugitive,and the character of Gerard is far less interesting here.