Some major news on Ridley Scott‘s much-discussed Alien prequel has come down the pipe — news that should fetch some interesting reaction from fans who may or may not have been looking forward to another adventure in that world.
After all the things we’ve been hearing about an Alien prequel, from Sigourney Weaver first talking about a fifth movie back in ’08 to first hints that Scott might actually do it. Then the confirmation that the movie was happening with a new director instead of Scott to Scott choosing to do it himself, and that it would be a two-part prequel. Finally, we found out that LOST co-creator Damon Lindelof was re-writing the script, and that Ridley was possibly going to present a storyline that showed the alien creatures from his classic 1979 horror were actually genetically engineered as weapons.
After ALL of that, it sounds like Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel might not be a prequel at all, and that the story they’ve created has evolved into something completely unique. Something called Prometheus.
20th Century Fox made the announcement today that Prometheus would be released on March 9, 2012, and that one of an expected five major roles has been cast. Noomi Rapace, the star of Sweden’s popular The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo trilogy, will play a scientist character named Elizabeth Shaw. It’s also said that Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are interested in a role, and that the rest of the casting should be announced soon.
But going back to Alien, it appears that after writer Jon Spaihts penned a draft for the prequel, Lindelof was brought in to do the rewrite, and that’s where things began to go beyond what they had ever planned. This new movie is still said to contain plenty of “Alien DNA” within it, but it’s to be much more unique and original than a prequel would have been.
Here’s what Ridley Scott, who hasn’t directed a science fiction film since Blade Runner, had to say about Prometheus:
While Alien was indeed the jumping off point for this project, out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place. The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn’t be more pleased to have found the singular tale I’d been searching for, and finally return to this genre that’s so close to my heart.
Lindelof also spoke about the collaboration, saying:
In a world flooded with prequels, sequels and reboots, I was incredibly struck by just how original Ridley’s vision was for this movie. It’s daring, visceral and hopefully, the last thing anyone expects. When I sat in a movie theater as a kid, feet raised off the floor for fear that something might grab my ankles, I never dreamed in my wildest imagination I would one day get to collaborate with the man responsible for it. Working alongside him has been nothing short of a dream come true.
Could Prometheus still play much like an Alien prequel? My guess would be yes — in fact I’d expect them to play quite nicely together. But at this moment, it sounds like this movie will be more of a spiritual companion to the Alien films, instead of having any direct relations.
Now…many of you were excited about a new Alien movie and many were appalled at the very thought. What do you think now, reading this news that the movie will actually be more of an original Ridley Scott sci-fi movie written by Damon Lindelof?
Share your thoughts!
[Source: Deadline]
Interesting. Just watched Alien last week. I wanted a prequel so bad!
Comment by Chris — January 14, 2011 @ 8:30 pm
Interesting… I assumed it would be completely different from Alien – for one thing there wouldn’t actually be the iconic Alien, and I even assumed there wouldn’t be any humans. Sounds like it’s gonna be as different as Alien is to Blade Runner, but on the other end of the scale.
Hopefully H.R.Giger is still involved in some way. As long as he’s designing and Ridley’s directing, I’m happy!
Comment by Haldered — January 14, 2011 @ 8:42 pm
H.R. is involved, or so it’s been said he is.
Comment by The Movie God — January 14, 2011 @ 9:17 pm
I rate Alien and Bladerunner above Starwars and Empire. It goes, 1.Bladerunner 2.Alien 3.Empire 4.Starwars 5.2001 in my book. District nine, monsters and Moon all come very colse to usurping 2001 but as yet, no cigar. I reckon Scott could get another in my top 5 if this is as original as it sounds. I hate most prequels. We really didn’t need to know if the ship storing the eggs in the first movie was a weapon or food transport. Great news this, we finally get to see the true master of scifi kick cameron in the pants once more. Who knows, JC may even do a follow up and make as much a mess of it as he did with Aliens. I will give him the opriginal Terminator though which sits at number 6 in my top ten.
Comment by Lusky — January 15, 2011 @ 7:37 am
Thank you for creating an original story. I think it’s definitely a step in the right direction, rather than piggyback off an existing franchise, with the risks inherent in both existing baggage, and being crippled with prequelitis.
Comment by kell — January 15, 2011 @ 10:13 am
If it’s true that “in space no one can hear you scream,” then ” !!!!”
OK. I really REALLY wanted another Alien movie to make up for AVP2. I enjoyed AVP but honestly, I would’ve been happier if the Aliens held up better against the Predators. Anyway, an Alien prequel could’ve been awesome, especially as created by Ridley Scott! Not sure what to make of this new plot twist yet. Sharing Alien DNA? Cool. Companion piece to Alien? Cool. That both Ridley Scott and Damon Lindelof are super excited about how the story evolved into something not exactly prequelesque? Well, their excitement carries over and I think that’s what gives ME hope that “Prometheus” is going to be a worthy movie! Even if it’s not the Alien movie we were originally looking forward to.
Comment by Paul — January 15, 2011 @ 4:26 pm
To be honest I think they are just tenuously keeping the Alien thing in play to not piss everyone off totally. I love new, great Sci Fi. Franchises are utterly boring and repetitious. But opinions are like bronze stars, everyone’s got one.
Comment by Lusky — January 15, 2011 @ 5:56 pm
As much as this makes me smile, I am still a little bummed that it will not be an alien prequel. I am a huge fan of the universe (books and all) and I was looking forward to something making up for the travesty known as AVP and such. But still excited
Comment by E_sanchez_ucf — April 12, 2011 @ 12:46 am
I’m pissed that Lindelof wrote the screenplay. Originally
the film was a stand-alone prequel to the Alien series, free of any
Predators or that b/s…knowing Lindelof’s reputation (Lost was an
embarrassment that didn’t deserve the respect the fandom gave it) I have
some doubts that because of his crappy reputation of pandering to pop, things could get f-ed up.
As a true Alien fan I want the franchise
back. I want the horror of an unseen danger, the visual/cinematic hopelessness of the original trilogy (and Resurrection to a degree) and I’m both saddened and pissed that they’d pick Damon ‘Fan-Boy’ Lindelof to write the script…
Comment by Mattsisland — May 12, 2011 @ 1:21 pm