"It can be as simple as changing the tone from the original, or even changing genres. Alien: Romulus went for a YA spin on the original Alien formula. featured small-scale spy stories rather than the grand space opera of Rogue One. And, of course, Better Call Saul stands tall as a prequel that arguably surpassed the original with its tragic reimagining of a shallow supporting character."
"When Warner Bros. announced Wonka, it was, justifiably, confusing. The movie was set to be an "origin story" of the character of Willy Wonka - specifically, Gene Wilder's Willy Wonka from Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, since Netflix owns the rights to author Roald Dahl's entire catalogue. And it starred Timothée Chalamet, fresh from starring in Warner Bros. previous blockbuster Dune. It appeared like it would be the ultimate in unnecessary prequels."
A good prequel fleshes out beloved characters or expands an established world, but innovation separates great prequels by changing tone, genre, or perspective. Films like Alien: Romulus apply a YA spin to a familiar formula, and Better Call Saul reimagines a supporting character with tragic depth. Wonka recontextualizes Willy Wonka as an origin story anchored by Timothée Chalamet and directed by Paul King, who co-wrote with Simon Farnaby. King and Farnaby's Paddington pedigree informs Wonka's warm, whimsical approach. The film transforms expectations into a big, candy-colored, musical fantasy that delivers strong emotional impact.
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