As an expert in generative AI filmmaking, I see storytelling as a system of archetypes and data patterns. The most compelling narratives often remix familiar character models in new contexts. Your template—”the same character in different worlds”—is perfect for creating high-engagement video essays because it taps into pre-existing audience investment and offers a novel analytical lens.

These videos work because they combine two powerful search query pools into one, targeting fans of both properties while also capturing broader searches for character analysis and film theory. The “vs.” or “are the same” framing is inherently clickable and promises a satisfying intellectual payoff.

Here are 10 YouTube video ideas built on that template, with analysis on their viral potential.

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1. The Mentor Who Failed: Obi-Wan Kenobi (Star Wars) and Logan (Logan)

• The Shared Archetype: The Legendary Guardian in Exile. Both are the last remnants of a fallen order (Jedi, X-Men), living in self-imposed isolation, haunted by the belief that they failed the one person they were meant to save (Anakin, Jean Grey/Xavier). They are reluctantly pulled back into the fight to protect a new, uniquely powerful child who represents the future.
• Why It’s Viral: This combines two of the largest fanbases on the planet: Marvel and Star Wars. The search volume for both characters is colossal and evergreen. The video’s emotional core—analyzing profound failure, trauma, and reluctant redemption—is incredibly powerful and generates deep discussion in the comments section, driving engagement metrics sky-high.

2. The Unstoppable Instrument of Vengeance: John Wick (John Wick) and The Bride/Beatrix Kiddo (Kill Bill)

• The Shared Archetype: The Mythical Assassin Betrayed. Both are legends in a stylized criminal underworld, who tried to leave their violent lives behind for love, only to be brutally pulled back in by an act of profound betrayal. Their subsequent rampages are not just about revenge, but about a violent reclaiming of their identity.
• Why It’s Viral: This is pure action-fan catnip. It allows for a technical breakdown of fight choreography, world-building, and the “rules” that govern their respective worlds. The title can be framed as a “Who Would Win?” debate, which is a proven high-performing format. Search queries for “best action scenes” and “John Wick analysis” are constantly high.

3. The Obsessive Creator Destroyed by His Creation: Dr. Frankenstein (Frankenstein) and Mark Zuckerberg (The Social Network)

• The Shared Archetype: The Socially Alienated Genius. Both are brilliant, ambitious figures who, driven by a desire to connect or conquer, build something revolutionary that they cannot control. Their creations ultimately isolate them, warp their morality, and turn the world against them.
• Why It’s Viral: It connects a classic, universally-known literary figure with a highly relevant and controversial modern icon. This juxtaposition is unexpected and thought-provoking, guaranteeing clicks. It taps into the massive, ongoing cultural conversation about technology, ethics, and social media. The search volume for both “Frankenstein” themes and “Mark Zuckerberg” is perpetually relevant.

4. The Agent of Chaos: The Joker (The Dark Knight) and Tyler Durden (Fight Club)

• The Shared Archetype: The Philosophical Anarchist. Both characters exist to dismantle societal norms and expose the “joke” of civilization through chaos. They are magnetic, manipulative figures who serve as a dark mirror to the protagonist, forcing them to question their own identity and place in the system.
• Why It’s Viral: These are two of the most analyzed and debated characters in modern film history. Fan theories and “ending explained” videos for both films are huge traffic drivers. A video comparing their ideologies taps directly into this existing, highly engaged audience. It promises a deep, philosophical dive that makes viewers feel intelligent.

5. The Lawman in a World Without Law: Judge Dredd (Dredd) and Officer K (Blade Runner 2049)

• The Shared Archetype: The System’s Perfect Soldier Who Discovers a Lie. Both are stoic, brutally efficient enforcers in dystopian futures. They are instruments of a system they believe in, until their investigation of a single case uncovers a foundational truth that threatens to shatter their reality and their own identity.
• Why It’s Viral: This hits the massive cyberpunk and sci-fi fanbases. The thematic parallels—identity, free will, what it means to be human—are incredibly rich for analysis. Blade Runner 2049 has a cult following obsessed with its meaning, and Dredd is a celebrated genre classic. The video would rank for searches like “dystopian film analysis” and “cyberpunk themes.”

6. The Modern Femme Fatale: Ava (Ex Machina) and Amy Dunne (Gone Girl)

• The Shared Archetype: The Caged Woman Who Manipulates Her Way to Freedom. Both characters masterfully perform the role of the victim to manipulate the men around them. They use intelligence, sexuality, and a deep understanding of male expectations as weapons to escape a form of imprisonment (one literal, one societal).
• Why It’s Viral: This is a provocative, timely comparison that taps into contemporary discussions about gender dynamics, perception, and power. The “ending explained” searches for both films are massive. Framing the video as a debate—”Who is the ultimate manipulator?”—creates instant intrigue and sparks heated debate in the comments.

7. The Lone Survivor Haunted by the Past: Max Rockatansky (Mad Max: Fury Road) and Ellen Ripley (Alien Saga)

• The Shared Archetype: The Traumatized Pragmatist. Both are defined not by their words, but by their actions and their relentless will to survive in desolate, hostile environments. They are haunted by the ghosts of those they couldn’t save and are reluctantly forced into the role of protector for a new group of survivors.
• Why It’s Viral: They are two of the most iconic protagonists in cinema history. This pairing bridges the gap between the post-apocalyptic action and sci-fi horror communities. The analysis can focus on PTSD, resilience, and silent storytelling, attracting a cinephile audience searching for deeper character studies.

8. The Cost of Ambition: Daniel Plainview (There Will Be Blood) and Gordon Gekko(Wall Street)

• The Shared Archetype: The Titan of Industry Consumed by Greed. Both are charismatic, ruthless capitalists who embody the toxic side of the American Dream. Their insatiable hunger for wealth and power leads them to betray everyone, including family, leaving them isolated in an empire of their own making.
• Why It’s Viral: It’s a powerful commentary on capitalism and moral decay. Both characters are famous for their iconic, highly quotable speeches (“I drink your milkshake!”, “Greed is good”), which are search-friendly hooks. This video would attract viewers interested in “best movie villains,” business movies, and character analyses of powerful anti-heroes.

9. The Embodiment of Fate: Anton Chigurh (No Country for Old Men) and The Terminator (T2: Judgement Day)

• The Shared Archetype: The Unstoppable Force with a Code. Both are relentless, seemingly inhuman killing machines on a mission. They cannot be reasoned with or stopped by conventional means. Crucially, both operate by a specific set of rules or principles (Chigurh’s coin toss, The Terminator’s programming) that make them feel more like an agent of fate than a mere man or machine.
• Why It’s Viral: The comparison is unexpected and intellectually stimulating. It links a gritty neo-western with a blockbuster sci-fi classic. Search volume for “Anton Chigurh meaning” and “Terminator lore” is consistently high. The video can explore deep themes of free will vs. determinism, making it highly shareable among film theory enthusiasts.

10. The King Who Lost His Kingdom: King Théoden (The Lord of the Rings) and Mufasa (The Lion King)

• The Shared Archetype: The Good King Poisoned by a Dark Advisor. Both are noble and powerful rulers who fall under the spell of a treacherous subordinate (Gríma Wormtongue, Scar), leading to the decay of their kingdom. Their moment of liberation and return to their true self is a pivotal, cathartic moment in their respective stories.
• Why It’s Viral: It connects a universally beloved animated classic with one of the most acclaimed fantasy epics ever made. The audiences have a massive overlap. The theme of reclaiming one’s mind and purpose from corruption is powerful and resonant. It has a slightly softer, more mythologically-focused angle that would appeal to fans of Joseph Campbell and archetypal storytelling.