e335. Prequels Unraveled: Stitching Gaps or Snagging Cash?

In today’s nostalgia driven, franchise driven, pop culture world sequels are obviously big business. But what do we do when sequels become too boring (and we can’t get the original cast of a film back)? Prequels are obviously the answer. But why? Is there any value to prequels or are they nothing more than shameless cash grabs. And in that respect, are the any different than sequels or any other franchise driven IP? In this episode Mav and Hannah welcome returning guest Nathan Koob, explore the complexities and allure of prequels in popular media, discussing titles from as Star Wars to The Hunger Games: Ballad of Songbirds and Snakes. They delve into what makes these narratives successful and the role of nostalgia and gap-filling in their storytelling. Is there a difference between prequel, sequel, and franchise? Does it even matter or is it all just a weird literary construction. Listen to our thoughts and then let us know yours in the comments. Citations and Links: * Thank you to Maximilian’s thoughtForm Music for our theme * Follow Hannah on Twitter: @hannahleerogers * Follow Mav on Twitter: @chrismaverick * Follow us on Twitter: @voxpopcast * Follow us on Facebook: http://facebook.com/voxpopcast * Subscribe to our YouTube channel * Make sure you subscribe on Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify or wherever podcasts are found and please leave us a review!

Om Podcasten

Vox Populorum is a blog and podcast devoted to pop culture criticism. We believe that the best way to understand culture is to discuss it. But we also believe that it's a lot more fun to have these conversations throwing back a couple beers at the bar rather than in a classroom. Please join our weekly round table of media critics, academics, creators, artists, professors, students and fans for an engaging discussion about movies, novels, comic books, television, video games, music or whatever else we happen to think of! Nec audiendi qui solent dicere, Vox populi, vox Dei, quum tumultuositas vulgi semper insaniae proxima sit.