The concept of a prequel has become a widespread phenomenon in the entertainment industry, allowing filmmakers to go into the backstory of iconic characters and events. The term “prequel” gained popularity in the 1970s, largely due to the success of the Western film “Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid” and its subsequent sequel, “Butch and Sundance: The Early Days.” While the sequel did not quite live up to the original, it played a crucial role in popularizing the term “prequel” among audiences and cementing its place in the cinematic lexicon.
The origins of the term “prequel” remain unclear, with debates surrounding its possible coiners, J.R.R. Tolkien and Anthony Boucher. According to Christopher Tolkien, his father J.R.R. Tolkien used the term “prequel” in reference to his book “The Silmarillion.” However, Anthony Boucher reportedly coined the term in 1958 while reviewing the James Blish novel “They Shall Have Stars.” The Oxford English Dictionary attributes the earliest known use of the term to the 1950s, specifically in Boucher’s articles for The Magazine of Fantasy & Science Fiction.
A Still From Butch and Sundance The Early Days (Photo: Butch and Sundance The Early Days)
“Butch and Sundance: The Early Days” takes place years before the original film and chronicles the early days of the titular outlaws, played by Tom Berenger and William Katt. The movie features some genuine laughs and convincing performances from the leads, but its significance lies more in its role in popularizing the term “prequel” than its own narrative merits. The film’s release in 1979 marked a turning point for the use of the term in mainstream Hollywood, paving the way for future prequels and sequels.
Despite its efforts to recapture the magic of the original, “Butch and Sundance: The Early Days” has largely been seen as an unnecessary prequel and an ill-fated attempt to ride the coattails of the iconic 1969 film. The movie’s lackluster reception and failure to live up to the original have contributed to its relative obscurity, with many critics and audiences regarding it as a footnote in the Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid saga. Nevertheless, the film remains an important milestone in the development of the prequel phenomenon, which has since become an integral part of the entertainment industry, enabling filmmakers to explore the backstory of iconic characters and events, recapturing the magic of the original and paving the way for future cinematic endeavors.
