History Main / Retool

* The ''Franchise/SonicTheHedgehog'' franchise has undergone two notable retools in its lifespan; the series took a hiatus after the release of the 3rd game with no real major releases outside of spin offs and ports, skipping the VideoGame3DLeap that occured in the 5th generation of gaming. It wouldn't be until 1998 that Sonic would make it's proper 3D debut with ''VideoGame/SonicAdventure'', in which the characters were [[ArtEvolution redesigned]], [[SuddenlyVoiced given voices]], [[DarkerAndEdgier and the plot took a turn for the dramatic]]. This would hold true for the next couple of years of the series until declining reception would cause the series to undergo a second retool after the infamous ''VideoGame/SonicTheHedgehog2006''. There was no major redesign this time, but the series would gradually phase out staples that were established with the aforementioned ''Sonic Adventure'', namely the wide open and explorative gameplay, additional playable characters with their own unique playstyles were DemotedToExtra aside from Sonic himself, and the plots became more [[LighterAndSofter whimsical and lighthearted in nature]] focusing more on comedy than drama.

When a work gets started out the creative group are often experimenting with the particular tone they are going for. As they find a voice and better learn the talent that is involved alterations may happen to better suit the collaborative process. Among many things that can end up changing includes altering the premise and DrivingQuestion, changing the cast, the setting moves some place more interesting, the tone skews darker or lighter, story structure finds its' formula or a general emphasis based on what elements are working best. Anything is on the table to be "tweaked" in order to improve it, ranging from [[DroppedAfterThePilot dropping superfluous characters early on]] to outright recasting them. This is generally the source of EarlyInstallmentWeirdness. If it becomes a LongRunner similar things can be attempted later in the lifespan of the work in an attempt to feel fresh and stand apart, which may result in LaterInstallmentWeirdness.

* ''Funnyman'' started in October 1948 as the continuation of a short-lived [[ComicBook/{{Funnyman}} comic book series]]. It focused on Larry Davis, a [[NoCelebritiesWereHarmed Danny Kaye-style comedian]] who dons an oversized nose to fight crime as the titular superhero. By early 1949, Larry got less and less focus...and in July 1949, he was dropped altogether in favor of a new character named Reggie Van Twerp, a rich idiot whose butler continually had to save him from trouble. The retool didn't do any better than the original, and Funnyman was gone by the end of 1949.

** Special mention goes to ''Film/TheSuicideSquad,'' following up from ''Film/SuicideSquad.'' Almost all of the characters from the first movie have been replaced (with a SuspiciouslySimilarSubstitute in the case of Deadshot==>Bloodsport) and the plots are unrelated. Creator/JoelKinnaman, who plays [[TokenGoodTeammate Rick Flag]] in both films, specifically said that the character was treated as a "blank slate" in the new one. So the two movies are presumably in the same continuity, but it's a {{Soft Reboot}} with some {{Role Reprise}}s.

* ''ComicStrip/{{Blondie}}'' was originally about a flapper and her rich boyfriends. When she married one of them, Dagwood Bumstead, he was disinherited, had to get a job, and lived a life more of the audience could identify with. On top of that, said husband essentially [[BreakoutCharacter became the main character]]. As for Blondie, she's been a wife and mom with her own catering business for so long, it's almost impossible to imagine her as a flighty socialite.

** ''Web of Spider-Man'' was originally just another Spider-Man book. Writer David Michelinie and artist Marc Silvestri eventually came onto the book and gave it a new premise starting with issue #16, in which Peter Parker travels around the world with Joy Mercado on assignment from NOW Magazine. This premise didn't last long, because a two-issue storyline involving [[UsefulNotes/TheTroubles the Provisional Irish Republican Army]] resulted in a bomb threat in the building Marvel's offices were located in at the time. The second part was hastily edited to replace the IRA with generic terrorists wearing black hoods, and the creative team subsequently disbanded by issue #22.

** During ''ComicBook/DarkReign'' most of the hero hunter team became the Comicbook/DarkAvengers and the Thunderbolts became Norman Osborn's personal hit squad.
** After ''Dark Reign'' and at the onset of Marvel's ''ComicBook/HeroicAge'' the Thunderbolts became super villain prison The Raft's rehabilitation program for super criminals (this time including Comicbook/ManThing, Juggernaut, and Ghost among others), under the supervision of ComicBook/LukeCage. Basically Marvel's answer to the ComicBook/SuicideSquad.

* ''WesternAnimation/UltimateSpiderMan2012'' caught a lot of flak for its DenserAndWackier tone and giving Peter a set of [[{{Jerkass}} unlikable]] teammates. Season two managed to [[RescuedFromTheScrappyHeap redeem some of them]], but season three went in a different direction by having them DemotedToExtra, instead having Peter travel alone through the multiverse and team up with [[WesternAnimation/MarvelUniverse other Marvel heroes]]. Season four continued the trend into more serious storylines and also having Nick Fury and Nova, the two [[TheScrappy least popular characters]], outright PutOnABus until the end.

* {{Parodied|Trope}} on ''WesternAnimation/TheSimpsons'' in the episode "[[Recap/TheSimpsonsS10E13HomerToTheMax Homer to the Max]]". Watching the first episode of ''Police Cops'', Homer is thrilled to discover he shares his name with its Don Johnson-like lead character ({{catchphrase}}: "And that's the end of that chapter!"); the next week Homer is horrified to see his character retooled as a blundering doofus (catchphrase: "Uh-oh, Spaghetti-Os!"). He seeks out the show's producers and writers.