In a day and age where everything is a spin-off, reboot, sequel, prequel to a reboot, etc. it’s easy to become frustrated with the entertainment industry for its lack of originality. 

Amazon Prime’s new iteration of “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” proves you can keep an established IP alive while at the same time providing audiences with a fresh take on its predecessor.

When the reboot series was announced in 2022, bearing the same name as its 2005 counterpart, it was initially met with uncertainty from fans of the original. 

“Once we were announced, we saw the comment, ‘Who needs this show?’ We didn’t blame them,” explained “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” co-creator and showrunner Francesca Sloane via Deadline. “In a culture heavily inundated with remakes, this was a reasonable reaction. No one would need a show that retold the same blockbuster movie.”

However, as the show continued to pick up more and more talent, a lot of that initial uncertainty turned to excitement. 

Donald Glover, known for his work on “Atlanta” and “Community” joined the project early on and took on a plethora of roles from co-creator, writer, executive producer, and most importantly, the starring role of John Smith.

Along with Glover, the show was being worked on by the aforementioned Sloane, best known for her involvement in “Atlanta” and “Fargo” (which is coincidentally also a reboot series of a beloved film). 

With the cast and crew ready to go, filming began in the summer of 2022 and wouldn’t go long before its first piece of media controversy when Phoebe Waller-Bridge, who was initially set to play Jane Smith, unexpectedly dropped out of the project in September 2021. Waller-Bridge cited “creative differences” as her main reason for departure. 

Amazon quickly scrambled to find a replacement, eventually picking up actress Maya Erskine, known for her work in the comedy series “Pen15,” to fill the role of Jane Smith.

The incident was a contributing factor in the show being pushed back an entire year to become a 2023 release. Even when 2023 rolled around, as the show was deep into production, the infamous writer and actors strike commenced, halting the entire production.

“Mr. & Mrs. Smith” finally premiered on Prime Video on February 2, 2024, and was enjoyed by both critics and audiences alike, garnering an 88 percent on the film and television review site Rotten Tomatoes.

“With Glover and Erskine as great as they are, and with a story that’s wonderfully self-assured in its own identity outside of the 2005 film, ‘Mr. & Mrs. Smith’ makes for a darkly funny treat,” wrote Critic Belen Edwards via indieWire.

This still leaves one massive question unanswered. What did “Mr. & Mrs. Smith” do differently from any other critically panned reboot?

Well firstly, they did a massive reworking of the original story. While the 2005 film served as an enjoyable action/comedy, the show is a substantially slower, down to earth analysis of John and Jane Smith’s relationship.

Glover and Eskerin were able to deliver a much more introspective look into each character and their motivations, which served as the focal point of contention for much of the season.

Secondly, the reboot took advantage of its episodic format, dedicating each and every episode to its own individual mission and smaller story arc.

Many of the eight episodes take place away from the Smith’s home (located in New York City), which gives the audience a more refreshing and engaging viewing experience.

A notable difference between the show and the film is found in John and Jane Smith’s initial introduction. In the film, both characters are introduced six years into their marriage. As opposed to the show where audiences are with Jane and John as they meet on day one.

This allows the audience the opportunity to watch Jane and John grow in real-time, providing a better understanding of how each character evolved since their meeting.

Another aspect in which the show is able to separate from its counterpart is world-building. The film was limited in its 2-hour runtime, therefore it would be unrealistic to expect a deep dive into its universe. The reboot was able to accomplish that.

The show was able to build a way more in-depth look into the titular characters’ lives, diving deeper into their place of employment and even giving viewers a look at other variations of John and Jane Smith, something that the movie never included.

Lastly, the show was able to develop realistic and sympathetic characters. That’s no easy task when you consider the premise of “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.” The idea of two undercover, married spies who assumed fake identities is the farthest you can be from relatability for most people.

However, by giving their characters breathing room to blossom and open up to each other, the show’s writers allowed the audience time to become genuinely interested and connected towards both Glover and Eskerin. This proved to be the biggest asset for “Mr. & Mrs. Smith.”

It’s easy to be turned away and disgusted by the idea of yet another reboot, remake or sequel invading Hollywood. 

Nevertheless, there’s one thing that the “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” reboot has proven. If you bring in the right creators, who are genuinely passionate about the story they’re telling, they can’t help but make their project original.