So why is it a direct prequel to episode IV if it’s a spin-off ? Aren’t spin-off supposed to tell other stories ?
Do you know a better word for “this is a movie that takes place between these other movies, which already have consecutive numbers, and which’s main characters are unrelated to the main characters of these other movies, however, you should still watch these other movies to fully understand this one”? If so, let me know, so we can see if that word is better than “spin-off” or “stand-alone”.