The Unseen Truth Behind the Failed Sons of Anarchy Prequel: Revealed!

Sons of Anarchy paved the way for the spinoff series, Mayans M.C., but it was not the only project in the works for this universe. There were discussions about a prequel series for Sons of Anarchy as well. Created by Kurt Sutter, the show first aired on FX in 2008 and ran for a total of seven seasons, concluding in 2014. Sons of Anarchy follows the journey of Jackson "Jax" Teller (Charlie Hunnam), the Vice President of the motorcycle club called Sons of Anarchy in Charming, California. The story of Sons of Anarchy begins in season 1 when Jax discovers a manifesto written by his late father, John Teller. The series wraps up Jax's storyline and transitions to another club in the sequel, Mayans M.C.

However, there was also a possibility of a series taking viewers back in time to explore the origins of SAMCRO. In 2014, Sutter shared his plans for a prequel show during a live chat (as reported by Nerdcore Movement). He envisioned it as a miniseries that would focus on the First 9, the club's founding members. Sutter also intended to release John Teller's manuscript titled "The Life and Death of Sam Crow" after the prequel. Unfortunately, conflicts between Sutter and Disney have left the Sons of Anarchy prequel series in a state of uncertainty.

The Relationship Between Showrunner Sutter And Disney Turned Sour

In October 2019, FX terminated Sutter due to numerous complaints about his behavior, leading to co-creator Elgin James taking over as showrunner. This strained Sutter's relationship with Disney, causing his other Sons of Anarchy projects to be put on hold. After leaving Disney, Sutter expressed little hope for The First 9, as the studio owned Sons of Anarchy and he lacked control over it. He desired a four-part miniseries exploring the club's history from John Teller and Piney's time in Vietnam to the arrival of the final original crew member, Clay.

Although Sons of Anarchy revealed pieces of SAMCRO and the First 9's history over seven seasons, it didn't provide enough information to fully understand the club's backstory. A prequel series centered around the First 9 and the origins of SAMCRO would have been an ideal complement to Sons of Anarchy and Mayans M.C., as it would have answered many lingering questions and uncovered mysteries about the club's past. While the future of the Sons of Anarchy prequel series currently appears dim, there remains some hope that it may come to fruition in the near future, one way or another.

Why Sons Of Anarchy Was Canceled

In 2014, discussions of a prequel series for Sons of Anarchy arose alongside the dramatic and Shakespearean conclusion of the original show. According to Kurt Sutter, the show's cancellation after season 7 by FX can be attributed to the rising cost of production outweighing its ratings and advertising revenue. As a result, Sons of Anarchy became unprofitable and faced cancellation. It is unfortunate that even acclaimed and influential art ultimately boils down to financial considerations.

However, the show's seventh season proved to be a strong ending. Jax's character arc reached its dark climax as he delved deeper into the core darkness of SAMCRO, ultimately committing matricide. As the walls closed in on him, Jax met a tragic demise through suicide, elevating the show's overall journey and emotional impact to a Shakespearean level. The cancellation of Sons of Anarchy after season 7 effectively maintained its powerful impact and concise narrative in the larger scheme of things. Nevertheless, if a prequel materializes in the future, it has the potential to be as outstanding as the original show and a valuable addition to the franchise.

Could A Different Sons Of Anarchy Prequel Be In The Works?

A Sons of Anarchy prequel series based on the First 9 is unlikely, but there is another prequel series that Kurt Sutter could consider if he reconciles with Disney. Theo Rossi, who played Juice Ortiz in the original series, hinted at the possibility of the cast reuniting for this story. This could potentially include Charlie Hunnam, despite his previous disinterest in reprising the role of Jax.

"There might be a chance of us all coming back together, which is incredible. If it happens, it's amazing, but if not, it would still be cool because we stay in touch daily."

Rossi is thrilled about this opportunity, as he believes the show was adored by viewers but disregarded by Hollywood executives who never even watched it. According to Rossi, the upcoming project will be both "totally different" and "really cool." Interestingly, he didn't reveal whether it would be a TV series or a movie. However, considering Charlie Hunnam's involvement, it is likely to be a prequel to Sons of Anarchy, as Jax died in the finale of that show.