Insert The Running Man and Wanted (2007). Both are in-name only adaptions, but did well. Though Wanted never got a live-action sequel due to scheduling conflicts, and the writers not knowing where else to take the story. All we got was the video game adaption, which acted as both a prequel (flashback chapters of Cross) and a sequel taking place after the film. Also, Castle in the Sky had anything barely in relation to the original novel, other than a castle in the sky. The animated adaption might as well been its own IP as well.However I feel like adaptation doesn't mean you can take just the name or just the premise and make it whatever...well i guess you could but you might as well not even bother and make something original at that point...
True, but a few changes don't here and there, depending on the character. As long as it remains true to an extent or some extent, then it usually doesn't bother me.But when you are talking about something like The Witcher, or anything comic book related, you have to understand that the characters have established traits that people love and if you want to adapt those characters into an original idea you have to make sure you are keeping the aspects of what people like.
The funny thing is, Nolan didn't even have to change much. All he did was use original, baseline, vanilla Joker from his first appearance from the comics. None of the laughing gas, nor the acid squirting flowers. While using elements from Ceasar Romero, Jack Nicholson, and Mark Hamill Jokers, Heath Ledger took inspiration from. Each new Joker built off the other, while putting their own spin on the character.For example I think the Nolan trilogy of Batman really does well there. Or and even better example would be Joker, because there are a lot of versions of the Joker that have all worked but there is an truth to the character that Joker did really well, yet the film itself was a very original take on a comic book film, and a similar story has never been told in the comics as far as im aware but I could be wrong there.