Seems like everything’s a sequel these days. “Studios this year are delivering a record 25 sequels or prequels, the big onslaught starting with pre-summer releases of ‘X2: X-Men United’ and ‘The Matrix Reloaded.’ Sequels used to be hasty carbon copies meant to wring out a few more dollars from an earlier success. Studios today have learned that putting more thought and resources into follow-ups can produce franchises with bigger returns.”