The return to the world of Alien was big news when Ridley Scott announced he would be helming new prequel stories, however towards the end of 2010 plans to make two films back to back slowly dwindled. Ridley had hinted that the new story would take place 30 years prior to the events of the first film and the Space Jockey race featured in the original would form the new premise. H.R. Giger who created the Xenomorph was recently confirmed as returning to recreate the world which he made so distinct.
The new story was initially written by Sci-Fi writer Jon Spaihts, though Damon Lindelof was brought in to do a major rewrite which the studios were happy with and the production started to move forward quickly. Swedish actress Noomi Rapace who made a name for herself with the original ‘The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo’ series became the front runner for the main character, and until recently casting the other roles appeared to be the only obstacle.
Now it seems the premise has evolved into something completely new and it will now be a unique sci-fi thriller that will not be directly linked to the world of Alien, at least not in a prequel context.
Twentieth Century Fox has recently announced that Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel will no longer be a prequel, sequel or any other sort of Alien franchise installment. Insiders say the concept morphed into something ‘more original’ and even though Hollywood referred to it up until this week as ‘The Alien Prequel’, Fox officially announced the new Ridley Scott Sci-Fi production as Prometheus.
Lindelof and Scott have been working together to expand aspects of the story into new directions for casting and other narrative reasons. It’s been said that they were instructed to ‘go off and come up with what they want’ using the ‘Alien DNA’ as the story backbone or mythos if you like.
Ridley Scott, Damon Lindelof & Noomi Rapace
Though details of the story are being closely guarded, Ridley explained the outline of the film and its genesis:
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.
Of the five major roles that comprise the story, Noomi Rapace is locked in to star as ‘Elizabeth Shaw’. The other female lead of ‘Vickers’ whose character was said to have been expanded to entice Charlize Theron, is also rumored to have Angelina Jolie circling the role.
As for the new concept, Lindelof has been working closely with Ridley to reshape the original screenplay into a more original work. Lindelof made a statement about working with the legendary filmmaker on the project:
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.
Scott explained that getting more creative with the Alien mythology allowed him to see the bigger picture, hinting that the new story may in fact be some sort of a spin-off concept. In a previous interview he hinted that he would need to reinvent the Alien so it would be more menacing for audiences.
I have to design — or redesign — earlier versions of what these elements are that led to the thing you finally see in Alien… I don’t want to repeat it. The alien in a sense, as a shape, is worn out…maybe we’ll come up with something completely different.
A new Alien themed Sci-Fi horror flick is exciting news as a prequel story would’ve felt contrived if it lead up to the events of the original. Whilst the concept will surely draw from the prequel premise, it will allow the filmmakers to offer a more unique Sci-Fi that in Ridley Scott’s hands, will be a defining addition to the genre.
The release date for Prometheus is officially scheduled for March 9, 2012.
via: Deadline Screenrant
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