We’ve seen it with Twilight, and with most of the studios’ planned releases for the next three months or more–it’s sequels and remakes until things get better, and everything else can go hang.

But the recent and shocking success of Slumdog Millionaire in theatres is putting a bit of a wrench in that operation, and with very good reason–it’s a good, original movie that people want to see.

A bit counterintuitive, I know–the whole point of studios is to make movies people want to see.  They’re hedging their bets by redoing or doing further what was already done.  But Slumdog Millionaire is rapidly proving to be an original movie that people really want to see.

Facing no recognizable actors and a somewhat less marketable storyline than its Searchlight predecessors, this is very good news for “Slumdog.” indieWIRE spoke to Searchlight’s Sheila DeLoach, who was obviously quite thrilled. “It’s spectacular,” she said. “It was sold out in every theatre playing the film from coast to coast. It’s the perfect word of mouth film that is on everyone’s must see list.”

See, yeah.  No recognizable actors, less than marketable storyline…the movie literally screams low-budget.  But it’s making bank and beyond because people WANT TO SEE IT. And moreover, they’re telling their friends.  The movie effectively advertises itself by being–GASP!!–good.  In fact, it’s so good that it’s actually doing better in theatres than JUNO did.  That fact alone suggests something SERIOUS is going on with Slumdog Millionaire–and it’s not a sequel.  Nor is it a remake.

The take-away here is this:  it’s all about the GOOD movies.  Sure, you’ll get a fast infusion of cash with stuff like Twilight, but who’ll come back to watch?  You can have a flash in the pan, or you can have a movie with LEGS, that will carry right on into the video stores.

Maybe it’s time to start rethinking the concept, kids.

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