When watching most movie franchises or television series, viewers are likely to come across the Chosen One trope without fail because of its wild popularity throughout Hollywood and beyond, but does the plot device deserve all the hype? The Chosen One trope refers to a story arc in which the main character has been chosen, usually by some higher power, to save the entire world. Some popular examples include Anakin Skywalker, and Katniss Everdeen.
Learning how to spot the Chosen One trope is fairly easy when watching a film or TV show. The most significant aspect of a Chosen One character is if they have a mission that only they can complete and the results of this mission will single-handedly affect the rest of the character's world. For example, only Harry Potter could defeat Lord Voldemort and save the wizarding world because of the Horcrux the latter had placed in him unintentionally as a baby. All in all, the best Chosen One movies include a character who has special abilities or circumstances that set them apart from others.
The Chosen One Trope Is Ancient (But Still Immensely Popular)
While the Chosen One trope often appears in current popular culture and media, the plot device is incredibly old and can actually be traced back to society's earliest stories. Even in ancient times, the trope remained the same: one person is different from everyone else and this makes them the singular person to complete a divine mission. In a sense, the Chosen One trope is the oldest trope in the book, yet it continues to entrance viewers to this day. Achilles from Homer's "The Iliad" is just as much a Chosen One as Star Wars' Chosen One Anakin Skywalker.
Likely the most ancient example of the Chosen One trope is Gilgamesh. The Babylonian king was the main character of the world's earliest piece of epic literature, "The Epic of Gilgamesh." In the poem, Gilgamesh is a demigod with abilities that far exceed a regular human. With these powers, he completes various quests and goes on a search for immortality, which he fails but with the realization that humanity is not meant to live forever. Because of Gilgamesh's heavenly powers, ambitious personality, and the consequent life lesson that he teaches to readers, he represents the Chosen One trope perfectly.
Why The "Chosen One" Story Is Still So Common
The most likely reason that the Chosen One trope is still so common, thousands of years after Gilgamesh, is because, at the most basic level, the story works. No matter what context or detail a writer puts into the story, Chosen One tropes tend to always entertain and intrigue audiences because of their fatefulness and high stakes. Furthermore, when writing a story, it's important to make the protagonist stand out, and the best Chosen Ones in movies and TV do this easily. In the end, Chosen One stories give audiences heroes to look up to.
There is also a sense of relatability to Chosen One stories. Although most people don't have outstanding powers or divine missions they must complete, they still understand feeling overwhelmed by life or like massive responsibilities lie on their shoulders. Plus, most humans have an innate belief that they are special, which makes the trope feel more realistic. Furthermore, the Chosen One trope confirms the idea that anyone can become great; this inspires ordinary people and gives them hope that great things can happen for them as well. Also, the added aspect of fate likely feels comforting for audiences who look for control or destiny within their own lives.
Hollywood Finally Needs To Drop The "Chosen One" Story
Despite the many entertaining aspects of the Chosen One trope, Hollywood needs to finally let go of the storyline. In the modern day, the Chosen One trope is too familiar to audiences which makes it highly predictable. Viewers know exactly how the trope will play out. Additionally, the idea of a Chosen One is fairly unrealistic. Placing the entire fate of the world on one individual may seem tragic and exciting, but it takes away from the idea that humans often need help to succeed in big tasks. In this way, the Chosen One trope s individualism over community, the latter of which is seriously lacking in the digital age.
While the Chosen One trope is well-loved, it is also overdone, and because of this Hollywood needs to stray away from it. In of movie and television franchises, it is time to introduce new types of stories and characters that will keep audiences guessing rather than bogged down in familiar plot points. The Chosen One trope could even continue if it makes serious changes to how it appears in stories, such as dangerous Chosen Ones like Marvel's Scarlet Witch. All in all, viewers are in need of stories that reflect their lives and their needs in this modern society.
