You may not have picked up on it yet, but the current economic climate in the United States and around the world has caused some changes within the strategies for many of the major Hollywood studios. For example, with consumer spending down and the expectation that it will continue to fall, it is imperative that studios produce films over the next few years that are sure to be profitable. In order to do this, many studios are relying on previously established franchises — movie that have a built-in audience.

With that in mind, Universal is currently eying another installment in the financially successful, though generally abysmal, Nutty Professor series. The series has followed the portly scientist known as Sherman Klump (Eddie Murphy) through two films, grossing over $270 million in 1996 with the first film and $160 million in 2000 with the follow-up, The Nutty Professor II: The Klumps.

As The Hollywood Reporter’s Steven Zeitchik reports, Eddie Murphy’s involvement is not yet certain, and would hinge on the hiring of writers and a director, but it is likely that he would return to his most successful franchise.

So while many moviegoers, myself included, would rather make a trip to the dentist than see another Nutty Professor movie, it is important to understand the reasoning behind these studios and their pursuit of success with established franchises. On the business end it makes sense.

Would you see another Nutty Professor movie?