Definition of prequel

The term "prequel" was coined in the film industry during the 1990s to label motion pictures that were set before the events of a previously released movie. The word was created by merging the first letters of the words "pre" (meaning before) and "sequel" (meaning following). Initially, prequels were not common in cinema, as they were viewed as a potential threat to the continuity and storytelling of the original film. However, as audiences became increasingly fond of exploring the backstories and origins of their favorite characters, studios started producing more prequels in the late 1990s and early 2000s. One of the earliest and most successful prequels is "Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace," which was released in 1999. The movie showed the exploits of a young Anakin Skywalker, before he became the notorious Darth Vader. Since then, prequels have become a popular trend in Hollywood, with notable examples such as "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay - Part 1" (2014), "The Godfather Part III" (1990), and "Batman Begins" (2005). The success of prequels has also resulted in some controversies, particularly in the case of "Hannah" (2011), which depicted the origins of the character played by Sissy Spacek in David Lynch's "Blue Velvet" (1986). Some critics argued that the movie contradicted the original story's dark and mysterious atmosphere, causing confusion and disappointment among audiences. In summary, the term "prequel" combines the prefix "pre" with "sequel" to denote a movie that narrates the events leading up to a previously released film. As prequels became more popular, they sparked debates around issues such as continuity, storytelling, and audience expectations, highlighting the creative and commercial potential, as well as the challenges, of exploring the past in visual media.