Sons Of Anarchy: Why The Planned Prequel Show Never Happened

Oct 17, 2024

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Sons of Anarchy led into a spinoff series titled Mayans M.C, but that wasn’t the only project planned for this universe, and there were talks for a Sons of Anarchy prequel series. Created by Kurt Sutter, the show premiered on FX in 2008 and lasted for a total of seven seasons, coming to an end in 2014. Sons of Anarchy tells the story of Jackson “Jax” Teller (Charlie Hunnam), VP of the motorcycle club Sons of Anarchy in Charming, California. Sons of Anarchy's events begin in season 1 after Jax found a manifesto his late father, John Teller, wrote.

Sons of Anarchy wrapped up Jax's story and moved on to another club in the sequel with Mayans M.C. However, another series could have taken the audience a few years back to look at the origins of SAMCRO. Sutter revealed during a live chat (via Nerdcore Movement) that he had plans for a Sons of Anarchy prequel. It would be focused on the First 9, the founding members of the club, and his idea was for it to be a miniseries, after which he wanted to release John Teller’s manuscript, titled “The Life and Death of Sam Crow.”

Sons of Anarchy was a great show that blended action and Shakespearian family drama. If you were a fan, you'll definitely love these shows as well.

In October 2019, FX fired Sutter after various complaints about his behavior and left the showrunner chair to co-creator Elgin James. As a result, the relationship between Sutter and Disney remains tense, placing his other projects from the Sons of Anarchy universe on hiatus. Speaking to Deadline shortly after leaving Disney, Sutter explained the possibility of making The First 9 happen “doesn’t look that hopeful,” as the studio owns Sons of Anarchy, and he can’t do anything with it.

He said he wanted the prequel to be a four-part miniseries, telling the story of the club from John Teller and Piney’s time in Vietnam to the arrival of the final member of the original crew, Clay. Parts of the history of SAMCRO and the First 9 were revealed throughout Sons of Anarchy's seven seasons, but not enough to piece together the club’s backstory.

A prequel series focused on the First 9 and the origins of SAMCRO would have been the perfect complement to Sons of Anarc hy and Mayans M.C as it would have answered many questions and mysteries about the backstory of the club. While the future of the Sons of Anarchy prequel series doesn’t look bright right now, there’s still some hope that it could happen one way or another in the future.

2014 wasn't just the year that a Sons of Anarchy prequel series was publicly discussed; it also saw the highly Shakespearean conclusion of the original series. Judging by some of Kurt Sutter's comments about the cost of making the show, money seems to be the reason FX canceled Sons of Anarchy after season 7. In 2021, Sutter said the show started costing more to make than it was bringing in through ratings and advertising. Sons of Anarchy stopped being profitable, placing it on the studio chopping block.

Unfortunately, even widely lauded, and influential art comes down to dollar signs and bottom lines in the end. Still, the fact it ended so well in season 7 worked in the show's favor. Jax's dark character arc was complete at this point, fully submerged into the darkness that's at SAMCRO's core, even killing his mother. With the walls closing in on him, Jax's tragic Sons of Anarchy death via suicide ended things on a Shakespearean level that added an extra layer to the show's overall journey and emotional impact.

Sons of Anarchy's post-season 7 cancelation ended up keeping the show's overall punch quite potent, and fairly succinct in the grand scheme of things. Still, if a prequel comes to fruition someday, it could be as great as the original show, and a crucial asset to the franchise.

While the chances of a Sons of Anarchy prequel series based on the First 9 looks unlikely, there is another prequel series that Kurt Sutter could consider if he ever gets back into Disney's good graces. This is a story teased by Theo Rossi, who played Juice Ortiz in the original series. Rossi teased that this could happen, with the cast back together again. It sounds like it could also include Charlie Hunnam, who had previously said he had no interest in returning as Jax again.

"There might be something coming up where we’re all back together, which is insane. If it happens, it’s wild, but if it doesn’t, it would be perfect and really cool because we also talk every day."

Rossi seemed excited about the chance because he said he saw the show as something where they were the "people's champ." Everyone loved the show, but the executives in Hollywood didn't care and none of them even watched it. Rossi also went on to say that it would be "totally different" but "really cool." What he wouldn't say was whether this was a TV series or a movie. But, if it includes Hunnam, it would have to be a Sons of Anarchy prequel, since Jax died in the Sons of Anarchy finale.

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