Remember when “prequel” was a bad word?
Something that would make you groan over how obvious it is that the concept is a cash grab.
Especially in the world of films, prequels were almost always looked down upon.
For years prequels were left for straight-to-video bargain bins, likeThe Scorpion Kingsequels or any number of Disney prequels.
Sometimes a good one would sneak in, but the glut of them gave them a pretty bad reputation.
The ’90s all the way up until the 2010s were not kind to the concept.
Image via Disney+
That is until the era of peak TV.
Its crazy to think just how beloved prequels people are now.
Audiences have been craving them more and more.
Image via Prime Video
You cant stop the prequels!
Why have we suddenly become so intrigued about the past of our favorite universes?
The answer is actually pretty simple.
Image via HBO
Its a change in format.
But first, we have to establish some things.
Because audiences will be expecting certain things they wouldnt have otherwise.
This doesnt make sequels inherently creatively bankrupt, but it is a hard balancing act.
For prequels the appeal is almost the opposite.
The appeal isnt so much to see your favorite characters again but to expand on the world.
When they are at their best, prequels will enhance the main entry in the franchise.
Either through giving you more context or extra details.
At their worst, they are forgettable and just become remembered as when the franchise jumped the shark.
What Makes a Prequel Good in the First Place?
That could be one of the biggest hurdles a prequel has to jump over.
This is the tactic thatRings of PowerandHouse of the Dragonhave gone with.
The tactic is very difficult because if done poorly, it genuinely just comes across as a retread.
Not only that but when old characters do return, they return in ways that only makes things better.
Television allowed the opportunity to retroactively make that movie better.
So, Why Television?
The reason movie prequels dont succeed that often is because they are under a time crunch.
In a roughly two-hour time frame, there isnt that much you’re free to actually show.
Its asking a lot more than a sequel traditionally would because you need so much more set up.
Entire episodes can be spent on the psyche of just one character if the showrunners wanted to.
Theres an entire generation at this point that think ofMads Mikkelsonwhen someone mentions Hannibal Lechter instead ofAnthony Hopkins.
So, now you know the following compliment is really coming from the heart.
Young Sheldonis a sitcom.
Its a very subtle way of passing along the message of it gets better."
Prequels are a tough cookie to crack, but we still love to watch them anyway.
