A prequel is a work of fiction that takes place before the events of an existing work, often providing background information or establishing the circumstances that led to the events of the original story.
In literature, film, and television, prequels are becoming increasingly popular as they allow storytellers to explore the backstories of beloved characters, flesh out the details of their worlds, and provide new insights into the events that have already occurred.
Prequels can take many forms, such as novels, films, television shows, or even video games. They can be designed to stand alone or to complement the original work, offering a fresh perspective on the story and its characters.
Some famous examples of prequels include:
- "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace" (1999) - A film that takes place before the events of the original "Star Wars" trilogy, showing the early life of Anakin Skywalker and the events that led to the rise of the Galactic Empire.
- "The Hobbit" (2012) - A film trilogy that takes place before the events of "The Lord of the Rings," following the journey of Bilbo Baggins and his companions as they face challenges and adventures in Middle-earth.
- "The First Law" trilogy (2009-2011) - A series of fantasy novels by Joe Abercrombie that takes place before the events of his previous series, "The First Law," providing background information on the world, characters, and conflicts that shaped the later events.
- "The Origami Yoda" series (2011-2013) - A series of young adult novels by Tom Angleberger that takes place before the events of the "Star Wars" films, following the adventures of a group of young Padawans as they learn the ways of the Force and face challenges in the galaxy.
Prequels can offer a unique storytelling experience, allowing creators to explore new aspects of their worlds and characters while providing fans with a fresh perspective on the stories they know and love.
A prequel can be thought of as a rewinding the narrative timeline and exploring what happened earlier.
Here are some key features of a prequel:
- Chronological order: The events in the prequel take place before the original work, filling in the backstory or providing context for what came later.
- Same universe: Typically, the prequel stays within the same world or setting as the original work, even if it explores different characters or locations.
- Not always a direct continuation: While some prequels directly lead up to the events of the original work, others can be more standalone, delving into different characters or side stories that enrich the overall narrative universe.
Prequels can be great tools for expanding fictional worlds, deepening audience engagement with characters, and offering fresh perspectives on familiar stories. They can also be tricky, as they need to avoid retconning or contradicting the existing narrative while still offering something new and engaging.