Why it got the green light: Based on the first title in the enormously popular children's book series, "Snicket" looked like an automatic homerun, especially with box office champ Jim Carrey coming off such family-friendly hits as "The Grinch" and "Bruce Almighty."

Why a franchise never materialized: While it was generally liked by critics and turned a profit at the box office, it certainly failed to meet "Harry Potter"-level success, and series creator Daniel Handler was reportedly unhappy with the adaptation process and the final film. There are a number of books left to adapt, and a sequel is still a possibility, but it likely wouldn't share the cast or style of the first film. - DL