Prequels We’d Like to See:

Prequels are having quite the revival this year, with two of the most anticipated titles set to arrive in the coming months. The first, landing on 1 July, is Prime Video’s Elle, a Legally Blonde origin story executive-produced by the original Elle Woods herself, Reese Witherspoon. Also joining the prequel wave later this year is The Hunger Games: Sunrise on the Reaping, the latest chapter in Suzanne Collins’ dystopian franchise. Set 24 years prior to The Hunger Games, the film is set to release in cinemas on 20 November.

As we eagerly await two wildly different prequels, we started thinking about other franchises that deserve origin stories.

Friends

1994-2004, Creators: Marta Kauffman & David Crane As we know, four of the friends had a history long before the show’s start, with Ross and Monica being siblings, and Rachel and Chandler being their respective friends from childhood and college. While we already got a few flashback episodes in the main sitcom, a spinoff series about Ross and Monica’s childhood could give us a hilarious perspective of their younger years, as well as Rachel’s cheerleader status and Chandler’s awkward college personality. Plus, it would give us a proper glimpse into the iconic ‘I Hate Rachel Green Club’.

The Summer I Turned Pretty

2022-2025, Creators: Jenny Han & Gabrielle Stanton After the success of Jenny Han’s young adult series, The Summer I Turned Pretty, fans have expressed a profound interest in an origin story behind the two mums, Laurel and Susannah. Their friendship is the glue behind the series, with the pair becoming lifelong friends at college, before going on to spend summers together in Cousins with the four leading children. The pair’s compelling connection already translates well on screen, with Laurel’s level-headedness and Susannah’s carefree spirit bringing a complimentary depth to the earlier seasons of the show. Therefore, a prequel exploring their college years, relationships and journey into motherhood feels like the perfect next step for the franchise.

Cast members including Lola Tung (Belly) and Sean Kauffman (Steven) have also supported the idea, while fans have been quick to fan-cast Bridgerton’s Yerin Ha and Hannah Dodd to play the younger Laurel and Susannah.

Gossip Girl

2007-2012, Creators: Stephanie Savage & Josh Schwartz With parents Lily van der Woodsen and Rufus Humphrey sharing a history years before the Gossip Girl timeline, their volatile love story could be an engaging starting point for a prequel set in the 80s. As well as touching on their family drama and Rufus’s journey as a musician, characters such as Eleanor Waldorf and Bart Bass could also feature, with the origins of their respective business empires being explored. Plus, we could almost guarantee that the 80s fashion and music would truly shine under the Gossip Girl treatment.

Gilmore Girls

2000-2007, Creator: Amy Sherman-Palladino While we were treated to the sequel series Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life in 2016, a Gilmore Girls prequel would be a great way to expand the series and build on its rich backstory. This could head in two different directions, including a focus on Rory’s grandparents Richard and Emily, or an origin story centering around a teenage Lorelai Gilmore. From her fractured relationship with Emily to raising Rory alone, arriving at the Independence Inn and meeting her Stars Hollow family, a cosy Lorelai Gilmore prequel could explore a period that is constantly referenced throughout the show. In fact, it would likely have to unfold across several seasons leading up to the series’ first episode.