The Unfulfilled Dream: Star Wars Prequels First
Cinema’s biggest plot twist wouldn’t have existed.. Remember, in the original concept, Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker were written as two different people. If the prequels were to come first and the original trilogy followed, how many differences in terms of story and effects would they have had?
The biggest plot twist of all would be lost. In the original plan, Darth Vader and Anakin Skywalker were two separate characters, making the turning point of their relationship even more impactful. However, this twist wouldn’t have been the same if the prequels came before the original trilogy. Once the original trilogy was released, the audiences got to experience the dramatic transformation of Anakin to Vader, which is a crucial element of the saga. If the prequels had come first, this gradual and emotional journey would have been different or perhaps even non-existent.
Better but Less Successful?
If the prequels were released before the original trilogy, they might have had a different reception. It’s possible that the franchise wouldn't have reached the same level of popularity it achieved. The worldbuilding in the prequels is exceptional, which has contributed to the success of spin-off games, TV shows, comics, novels, and stories set in the same universe. For example, the The Clone Wars TV show and numerous other spin-offs derive their strength from the rich background established in the prequels. However, the prequels themselves were not received well by audiences at the time of their release.
Opening Crawls and First Impressions
One of the reasons for the prequels' failure is the opening crawl in Episode I: “A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away…” This opening crawl was filled with technical and administrative details, which disappointed many fans. Instead of the expected laser swords and spaceships, more fans were interested in seeing debt collectors and trade routes in the first place. A simple and effective introduction, such as the iconic crawl from Episode IV, would have been a better approach.
Episodes IV and V didn’t mince words. They immediately threw the audience into the action. There was no build-up or explanation of the characters or the world, which created a sense of immediacy and immersion. This was a stark contrast to the prequels, which were often criticized for being over-explanatory and padding the story with unnecessary details. A streamlined and concise storytelling approach might have worked better.
Technical Limitations and Worldbuilding
Considering the limitations of technology in the 1970s, the prequels would have looked vastly different. The reliance on CGI and extensive visual effects is a hallmark of the prequels, but such technology was not available when the original trilogy was filmed. In the absence of these technological advancements, the quality of the prequels would have been inferior. Luke Skywalker might have enhanced green eyes, but no lightsaber duel or spaceship battle scenes. The environments would have been more practical and lower in detail, which could have affected the audience’s immersion in the story.
Superior Soldiers and Droids
The best soldiers in the prequels would likely have been robots rather than people. Characters like Jango Fett, a highly trained being, would have been less impressive if robots were available. The idea that droids could be better soldiers than people, especially in a world filled with technology and advanced combat systems, is more plausible. This shift in the concept of fighters to a technological-driven force could have led to a very different narrative and character dynamics.
Fitting into the Original World
Every scene in the prequels needs the context of the original trilogy to make sense. Without this context, the prequels feel incoherent and disconnected. For instance, a scene where Qui-Gon is cleaning up Anakin’s scratches might work, but only if Anakin already knows about the Jedi. The storyline of the original trilogy, with its depth and lore, depends heavily on the events in the prequels. If the prequels came first, the original trilogy could avoid some of the inconsistencies and overly complex plot points, such as the “From a certain point of view” issue.
The reliance on extensive CGI in the prequels also played a significant role in their reception. Scenes that rely heavily on visual effects often perform better with modern technology. However, with the limitations of the 1990s, the visual imagination and practical effects used in the original trilogy were more impactful and timeless.
If the prequels were released first and the original trilogy followed, they might have complained less about the prequels and more about the original trilogy. The prequels would have set the stage for a more coherent and grounded story, avoiding the railroaded plotlines where characters like Anakin had to turn evil and the Empire had to rise. The introduction of a more solid worldbuilding could have resulted in a more immersive and engaging storytelling experience.
Ultimately, the original trilogy and the prequels are both parts of a larger narrative. Whether they came first or second, each set has its own strengths and weaknesses. Given the worldbuilding and potential for a better story, the prequels should have been the foundation for the franchise.