the.com/prequel
a sequel with the audacity to happen first.
means a story released after the original but set before it, filling in how everyone got to where you already saw them end up.
from coined mid-20th century by blending pre- and sequel, but it didn't stick in pop culture until the star wars prequels made everyone argue about it in the late 1990s.
first recorded use1958, in a novel review
built-in problemending is already spoiled by definition
box office ironyoften outsells the originals despite the hate
for instance
star wars episodes 1-3 — 1999-2005, explained anakin's fall everyone already knew
better call saul — 2015-2022, gave a punchline character a tragedy
the godfather part ii — 1974, half prequel, won best picture anyway
monsters university — 2013, sold friendship origin nobody asked for