I'm more pensive about a Cloverfield sequel than distraught. While it would undoubtedly be terrible and diminish the first film if they were to have backstory of the monster, or what he did next, Reeves and Abrams seem to know what they are doing and not want to spoil it by rushing it out. I also heard a pretty decent idea they were talking about where the sequel would be the events filmed from a different character's perspective of that night (when they were on the bridge, you saw another guy filming with a camcorder). That could be cool, and not take away from the first film.
The 4th Bourne Book was the first time when a ghostwriter (Eric van Lustbader) took credit for a Robert Ludlum series. It is also the first time when Bourne transforms from merely a highly talented spy to a superhero capable of preposterous stunts. They are terrible books. But it is worth noting that the only thing the films really share with the books is the title.
I disagree a little bit with the comparison with video games developers. The film studio has very little influence on the finished product (not too many people would be able to tell you the company responsible for a film if they watched it without the opening announcements) whereas a games studio will often be very recognisable from their stock (Bethesda, for example). Churning out popular sequels are undoubtedly a good way of raising capital, but I don't like seeing the memories of decent films tarnished just for someone to spin a profit.
MGM is a sad case, a bit peculiar too. Warner Bros. will buy them out very cheaply now though and in doing so gain the rights to a damned impressive back catalogue. But if their demise causes Brett Ratner to be made director of the Hobbit, I will be seriously unhappy. As an aside, Quantum of Solace isn't a very good film. It's a passable action flick, but it's writing doesn't stack up very well at all. In my eyes the only two Bond films that are good films when you view them on their own merits are From Russia With Love (excellent, excellent film) and Casino Royale.
Wow, this is a little off-track.
There should be a film chat thread where we could discuss these things.