The universes created in series like "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" contain some of the most engrossing and popular stories of the last several decades. Recently, something interesting has been happening: the exploration of the surrounding areas and the characters of the original series has begun, taking the form of spin-off movies and books. And while they have been met with a good deal of popularity at the box-office, not everyone is in favor of these additions. “It’s not canon!” nag the fans of the original series, who for some reason feel that an extension of any story results only in its dilution. Some people just hate spin-offs. There are many purists out there who believe the original releases of a series are the only ones that should exist, and the addition of new movies or books takes away from the first iterations.
I, however, feel quite differently. One of the reasons I am such a fan of fantasy/science fiction series like "Harry Potter" and "Star Wars" is because they feed my imagination. My favorite entertainment is the kind that transports me to a new place in which all new things are possible. And the more I learn about each universe, the more my imagination has to feed off of and the more engrossed I become in that world.
Another reason I enjoy the most recent spin-offs is that they’re just so well done! Many people were upset when "Star Wars" episodes I, II and III came out, but they were not bothered by the fact that the story of Darth Vader and his past was filled in. Conversely, they were angered by the fact that the mysterious, dangerous world that had been created in the original trilogy was turned into a story that included a floppy-eared, ridiculously voiced creature named Jar-Jar Binks. But the newest additions to the "Star Wars" story, "The Force Awakens" and "Rogue One," have avoided the pitfalls of those prequels. They are not cheesy or boring and they have even managed to strengthen the stories already told.
For example, one plotline contained in the original "Star Wars" trilogy involves the rebels’ knowledge of a hole in the Empire’s secret weapon of mass destruction that can allow for its destruction if a missile is shot in that hole. The main criticism of the movies were that the existence of such a hole is incredibly unrealistic, and so is the rebels’ knowledge of it. The most recent spin-off chronicles the reason for that secret spot’s existence as well as the rebels’ attempts to acquire the knowledge of its existence and its location. In doing this, "Rogue One" spins an exciting tale entirely on its own and adds to the stories already told.
The best spin-offs even answer questions I had about the areas not included in the original series. For example, the "Harry Potter" story takes place entirely in Britain, and besides passing mentions of other countries, the wizarding world outside of that one nation goes entirely uninvestigated. I found myself wondering many times while reading or watching it, “What is the wizarding world like in the U.S.?” To my delight, my question was answered when watching "Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them," at least in part.
Anyone who truly loves the world created in a fictional universe will want to explore the ends of it, and there is no better way to do that than with a well-made spin-off.
