Sequels & Prequels
Sometimes when a movie becomes
exceptionally successful, the creator of that work will create a
follow-up work known as a sequel. A sequel generally picks up where the original work ended, as in the case of the blockbuster sci-fi movie The Empire Strikes Back.
Some authors, however, choose to create a new work which begins before
the setting of the original movie, play or novel. A work which
explores the early lives of established characters is called a prequel. An example of a prequel would be the 2008 movie Star Trek, which explores the early history of the original characters from the television series Star Trek. The prequel Batman Begins also predates the successful Batman movie franchise released years earlier.
A prequel can be a single work created to explain the back story of
popular characters, or it may become the first in a new series of
prequels. The new Batman film franchise, for example, may
spawn several sequels according to its own story arc, but they will all
be considered prequels to the original series which featured Batman as
an adult. Sometimes an author will create a prequel after taking the
original storyline to its logical conclusion. Author JK Rowling, for
example, may choose to write a prequel to her Harry Potter
series instead of taking the original characters into adulthood. A
prequel would either explore the early lives of the main characters, or
else be set a generation or two earlier and use characters only
mentioned briefly in the original series.
These sequels may or may not be based on original source
materials, but they would incorporate the characters and general setting
of the original movie or novel. Such sequels may succeed or fail based
on their faithfulness to the original work or other factors. A
prequel, however, often demands that the commissioned writer have a
solid understanding of the mythology surrounding the original work, as
well the ability to create realistic younger versions of established
characters.
No comments:
Post a Comment