History AscendedExtra / Film

* In ''TheHobbit'', several characters go through varying levels of this. Azog, The Pale Orc, who had been briefly mentioned [[PosthumousCharacter (and had never appeared)]] in the books became the main villain of (at least) the first movie. Radagast, the Brown Wizard, was also promoted from a bare mention to a major, plot-important character, though to a lesser degree than Azog.
* ''{{Franchise/Alien}}'' introduced The Space Jockey, which was an ominous creature that appeared to be the pilot of the Derelict. It had been killed and fossilized before the events of the first film, and it was at the centre of much speculation among the fandom, as well as many non-canon stories in the EU, for over 30 years before its identity was revealed in ''{{Prometheus}}''.
* The Meganulon (Giant dragonfly-like monsters) from ''{{Rodan}}'' were only minor characters in the film. Later, they would become the major villains in ''Film/GodzillaVsMegaguirus''.
* Scabior in the ''Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows'' Films. He appears very briefly in the books when he and other snatchers capture the trio and take them to Malfoy Manor. After that, he disappears from the plot, though there is speculation that he is killed by Voldemort after the trio escapes with Dean, Luna, Griphook and Olivander. He appears much more in the films peppered about to the point where he even appears in bits of Part 2 that he didn't appear in during that part of the book.

* In ''TheWonderfulWizardOfOz'',

* In ''TheHobbit'', several characters go through varying levels of this. Azog, The Pale Orc, who had been briefly mentioned [[PosthumousCharacter (and had never appeared)]] in the books became the main villain of (at least) the first movie. Radgast, the Brown Wizard, was also promoted from a bare mention to a major, plot-important character, though to a lesser degree than Azog.

* In the first ''ToyStory'' film, Woody and Buzz were the real focus of the film and all the other toys were relatively minor characters. The second film gives much more screen time to Slinky, Rex, Hamm, and Mr. Potato Head. And likewise, Mrs. Potato Head only appeared in the beginning and end of the second film while Barbie was only in one scene roughly past the middle; they both had much bigger roles in the third movie.

* In the first ''{{Shrek}}'' film, fairy tale characters like the three pigs, Pinocchio and Gingy were joke characters and mainly appeared in the background. In ''Shrek 2'', they have much bigger roles, helping to break Shrek, Donkey and Puss out of prison and helping to fight off the Fairy Godmother in the climax. They have since had decent roles in further ''Shrek'' films and specials.

* In the first ''{{Shrek}}'' film, fairy tale characters like the three pigs, Pinocchio and Gingy were joke characters and mainly appeared in the background. In ''Shrek 2'', they have much bigger roles, helping to break Shrek, Donkey and Puss out of prison and helping fight off the Fairy Godmother in the climax. They have since had decent roles in further ''Shrek'' films and specials.

* In the first {{Shrek}} film, fairy tale characters like the three pigs, Pinocchio and Gingy were joke characters and mainly appeared in the background. In ''Shrek 2'', they have much bigger roles, helping to break Shrek, Donkey and Puss out of prison and helping fight off the Fairy Godmother in the climax. They have since had decent roles in further ''Shrek'' films and specials.

* In ''Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'' (both the original book and cartoon), Cindy Lou Whoo is just a character who exists to show that the Grinch is a liar, with only one line. In the movie version, she practically becomes the co-star, playing a more vital role in the plot than any character other than the Grinch himself.

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* In ''Literature/HowTheGrinchStoleChristmas'', Cindy Lou Whoo is just a character who exists to show that the Grinch is a liar, with only one line. In the movie version, she practically becomes the co-star, playing a more vital role in the plot than any character other than the Grinch himself.

* In the original ''Dracula'' novel the Brides only make two appearances and are unimportant side characters. ''VanHelsing'' greatly expands their roles, making them Dracula's right hand women and powerful combatants.

* Q receives this treatment in a couple of the Film/JamesBond movies. While usually he's just there to give Bond his new devices and then takes off, in ''Film/{{Octopussy}}'' he actually helps Bond when he [[StormingTheCastle raids the villain's hideout at the end]] and travels to Isthmus City to help Bond out in ''Film/LicenceToKill'' after 007 goes rogue to get revenge on Sanchez, even ignoring Bond's request that for his own good he should return to London.
** Also, M in every other Bond film just gave Bond orders and info on the mission. In {{Skyfall}}, she was given a backstory and protecting her was the driving force.

* The Meganulon (Giant dragonfly-like monsters) from ''{{Rodan}}'' were only minor characters in the film. Later, they would become the major villains in ''{{Godzilla}} vs Megaguirus''.

* Agent Phil Coulson started out as a minor comic relief character in the ''Film/IronMan'' movie, and has since appeared in ''Iron Man 2'', ''Thor'', ''The Avengers'', and even the ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' animated series, as well as becoming a CanonImmigrant to the comics.

* The Sea Witch in the Creator/HansChristianAndersen fairy tale "Literature/TheLittleMermaid" only appears to trade the unnamed mermaid's voice for legs. In the [[Disney/TheLittleMermaid Disney adaptation]], however, she is named Ursula and becomes the main antagonist. The same is true for the evil fairy in "Literature/SleepingBeauty", who was also unnamed in the original story and disappears after [[EvilIsPetty cursing the princess for not being invited to the party]], but in Disney's ''Disney/SleepingBeauty'' is a supervillainess that keeps driving the plot through the whole movie.

** Of course, Happy is a major secondary character in the [[ComicBook/IronMan Iron Man comics]], so could be more a case of reverting DemotedToExtra.

* In ''Comicbook/TheCrow'', there's that one little girl whom Eric helps that has a name similar to his dead fiancee's, yeah that one... Well, she gets a name change (Sarah), a big role in [[Film/TheCrow the film]] (basically the bestest buddy of Shelly and Eric), and her mom's involvement with Funboy is upped. From there, she becomes the love interest in the sequel and once again is in the series.

* In ''TheCrow'', there's that one little girl whom Eric helps that has a name similar to his dead fiancee's, yeah that one... Well, she gets a name change (Sarah), a big role in the film (basically the bestest buddy of Shelly and Eric), and her mom's involvement with Funboy is upped. From there, she becomes the love interest in the sequel and once again is in the series.

** Of course, Happy is a major secondary character in the [[IronMan Iron Man comics]], so could be more a case of reverting DemotedToExtra.

* Scabior In The Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Films. He appears very briefly in the books when he and other snatchers capture the trio and take them to Malfoy Manor. After that, he disappears from the plot, though there is speculation that he is killed by Voldemort after the trio escapes with Dean, Luna, Griphook and Olivander. He appears much more in the films peppered about to the point where he even appears in bits of Part 2 that he didn't appear in during that part of the book.

* Ulla in the original film ''TheProducers'' is nothing but a walking sex joke, barely speaking any English and only showing up to dance occasionally. In the musical, she's made into a fully developed character who speaks English more or less fluently, and even becomes Leo's love interest.

* Agent Phil Coulson started out as a minor comic relief character in the ''IronMan'' movie, and has since appeared in ''Iron Man 2'', ''Thor'', ''The Avengers'', and even the ''Ultimate Spider-Man'' animated series, as well as becoming a CanonImmigrant to the comics.
* In the original ''Dracula'' novel the Brides only make two appearances and are unimportant side characters. ''VanHelsing'' greatly expands their roles, making them Dracula's right hand women and powerful combatants.

* So many characters in ''StarWars'' that it would be impossible to list them all. For example, watch the cantina scene from the original film; ''every last patron'' has at least a name and a bit of backstory. Some actually get their own story in the anthology book "Tales From The Cantina"; several who hadn't been named ended up on the Star Wars Databank, where fans were allowed to come up with their own backstories and names, then vote on which ones were the best. After that, though, [[WhatHappenedToTheMouse they tend to never come up again]] - the StarWarsExpandedUniverse is infamous for this and a few characters do recur, but honestly, most characters in the EU were either named and had a line or two or are entirely original creations who were never on screen. Even fan favorites like Boba Fett and Wedge Antilles, moving on to their own novels and appearing again and again, were minor non-mains who still had lines and plot significance.