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Sequel

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A sequel is a creative work that expands upon or continues an earlier piece. This can apply to literature, film, theatre, television, music, or video games. In a narrative context, a sequel portrays events within the same fictional universe. These events usually follow the original story in a chronological sequence. Often, sequels retain the same characters and settings to maintain continuity. Because sequels use established characters, they are less risky for creators and publishers. They can capitalize on the popularity of an existing brand rather than testing new ideas.

Return of Tarzan
Return of Tarzan

There are several ways a new work relates to the original timeline. A direct sequel follows the first story's events closely. It might continue remaining plot threads or introduce a new conflict. A prequel is an installment created after the original that depicts events occurring earlier in the timeline. If a prequel is part of a main series, it is a true prequel. If it is not part of a main series, it is a spin-off prequel.

Zoku Sugata Sanshiro poster
Zoku Sugata Sanshiro poster

Some works occupy the middle of a timeline through midquels. An interquel is a story that takes place between two previously released works. For example, the film Rogue One (2016) is an interquel in the Star Wars franchise. An intraquel is a work that focuses on specific events occurring within a previous work. Other specialized terms describe different connections. A paraquel, or sidequel, is a story that runs at the same time as the original. For instance, John Morressy wrote three novels that overlap at one dramatic event but provide different perspectives.

Other types of sequels focus on different narrative connections. A legacy sequel follows the original continuity but takes place much later. These often feature new characters while the elderly original characters remain in the plot. A standalone sequel is set in the same universe but has little narrative connection to its predecessor. A spiritual sequel is inspired by a predecessor's style or genre but has no direct connection. It is often set in a completely different universe.

Marvelous land of oz
Marvelous land of oz

Related concepts include spin-offs, crossovers, and reboots. A spin-off is set in the same universe but focuses on different characters. A crossover occurs when characters from two different franchises meet in one work. A reboot starts a story over from the beginning. Traditional reboots often stray from the style of previous versions. However, contemporary reboots often use nostalgia to connect to the original franchise. These different methods allow creators to explore a single world in many ways.

The history of the sequel is tied to the growth of the publishing market. By the early 18th century, authors became professionalized as they sought to sell more copies. Sequels provided a recurring economic outlet for authors to profit from successful works. They also helped authors defend their "literary paternity" or ownership. During eras with weak copyright laws, writing a sequel was a way to prove ownership of a text. In the 1930s, some musical sequels even included the year in their titles.

Marvelous land of oz
Marvelous land of oz

In cinema, the earliest numbered sequel was Sanshiro Sugata Part II (1945) by Akira Kurosawa. Later, director Francis Ford Coppola popularized the use of numbers in film titles with The Godfather Part II (1974). Throughout history, authors have also struggled with unauthorized sequels. Miguel de Cervantes disapproved of an unauthorized sequel to Don Quixote. He responded by killing the protagonist at the end of his second part. Similarly, Samuel Richardson fought against unauthorized and lewd sequels involving his character Pamela. These historical tensions show how much creators value the control of their stories.

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File:Return of Tarzan.jpg
Return of Tarzan.jpg
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Zoku_Sugata_Sanshiro_poster.jpg
File:Marvelous land of oz.jpg
Marvelous land of oz.jpg
File:New-adventures-of-alice-cover-1917.png
New-adventures-of-alice-cover-1917.png
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