RE Sequel:
Well, yeah... it was a “been done already” situation. Like trying to make an Animal House sequel. You can’t. The “magic” is in the first one, always.
The only sequel I ever enjoyed more than the original was “Aliens” - the second of the series. It was just one kick-ass movie, and very well-done.
Another one that I enjoyed was the 1982 version of “The Thing” with Kurt Russell; in 2011 a Prequel came out, of the same title, that showed the Norwegian team that actually found the alien ship. That one ENDS where the 1982 version begins - with the helicopter chasing the dog/alien clone.
I thought it VERY well done.
“Prometheus”, on the other hand, was a disappointment - that was supposed to be the “Alien” prequel. Could have been much better.
“Animal House” had an opening for a sequel, “Blutarski Goes to Washington.” It’s too bad Belushi couldn’t get control of his drug addiction and get clean. Who knows how many more classic movies he could’ve made in the ‘80s ?
One problem with sequels is that, #1, they have a totally crappy script or #2, they waited too long to do a sequel (or both). 2-3 years is about the max for doing a sequel. When it comes 5+ years later, it almost always guarantees it will blow.
I look at Chevy Chase’s “Fletch.” There was a whole series of books and he could’ve been set for 20 years playing a new story every 1-2 years, but instead they waited 4 years to do a sequel and it just was subpar (and was one of the films that contributed to the rapid decline of his bankability as a star - and he did the horrid “Caddyshack II” during that period, perhaps the worst comedy sequel in the modern era).
“Aliens”, of course, was one example where they were able to do a superb sequel 7 years after the original. “Prometheus” was just... I don’t know what that was.