5 Cancelled Genre TV Shows That Were Too Ahead Of Their Time

The Young Indiana Jones Chronicles debuted on ABC in 1992 featuring stories from the character's youth as narrated by an elderly modern-day Dr. Jones. The series would earn many awards in its brief two seasons, including a Golden Globe nomination for Best Series. Despite the accolades the show was cancelled in the second season because of low ratings. The public just wasn't interested in a series without Harrison Ford, showing that they weren't yet able to appreciate a new storytelling device that eventually would become Hollywood's biggest franchise savior: the prequel.

The prequel has become a way for studios to hit a magic reset button when faced with an impasse with a franchise. In the cases of Batman and James Bond, the respective studios Warner Bros & MGM wiped the slate clean after both series strayed too far into camp with Batman & Robin and Die Another Day. Enter Batman Begins & Casino Royale to restore order. Sometimes the prequel is also employed when a series reaches its natural end like the Harry Potter film series. Other times it is used to put a new spin on a familiar story like Superman's TV prequel series Smallville.

Ironically the man who had the foresight to initiate the prequel series would later divide his own fanbase with it. George Lucus's Star Wars prequel films were met with a mixed response, but all were box-office hits. A fifth Indiana Jones film with Harrison Ford has been pushed back to 2021. Even if that film does get made and is well received, Ford will be 79 years old at that time. The Disney owned franchise is unlikely to be retired, even if Harrison Ford does. Then may finally be the time for audiences to embrace an Indiana Jones prequel.