PROMETHEUS – Somewhere In The ALIEN Universe

Lost mastermind Damon Lindelof was recently on Kevin Pollak’s web-based chat series that covers topics relating to the creative pursuits of film and TV, including acting, directing and writing. Over the weekend, Lindelof was his guest and gave some incredible insights into the genesis that was Lost, as well as working on Ridley Scott‘s next sci-fi flick, Prometheus.

What started out as a prequel story written by Jon Spaihts called ‘Alien Harvest’, became something unique when Ridley Scott asked Lindelof to assess the script and offer his ideas for the Alien themed movie. Over a series of lengthy meetings he was able to establish what kind of movie Ridley was hoping to create, at the same time write the kind of movie that he would want to see.

… I also do feel that this movie is the movie I would want to see as a fanboy, take place in that Alien universe, which precedes the events of the original Alien, but is not necessarily burdened by all the tropes of that franchise with Facehuggers and Chestbursters, and all that stuff that I love…but its sorta like, we’ve seen it before, can we do something different this time? And thats the movie that Ridley wanted to make. And when you’re working with an auteur, you basically just shut your mouth and listen and try to transcribe and channel the vision of that person, and get out of the way.

Lindelof clarifies that his goal was to create something that was in keeping with the Alien universe, but avoid the overused elements that have since become diluted by the trashier ‘Alien Vs Predator’ flicks. He also makes a valid point that a prequel shouldn’t simply lead up to the events of the original, or give away the story’s twists. He uses the example of the ‘Star Wars’ prequels that needlessly told the story of revealing Luke’s father and essentially spoiling ‘The Empire Strikes Back’, like many fans he would’ve preferred a prequel that took place in the same universe but featured different characters and events – adding that ‘there’s no suspense in inevitability‘.

This explains why the prequel story was abandoned and a more original concept devised, while it can still take place in the Alien universe, it shouldn’t simply lead up to the events of the first film – the original script by Spaihts which leaked on-line, ended with the traitorous android Ash being programmed with his mission that he fulfills in ‘Alien’.

Linedelof explained his approach to writing Prometheus:

It started as an Alien prequel. That is what everybody wanted it to be. Obviously, Ridley Scott has not made a science fiction movie in 25 years, since Blade Runner, so the idea that he’s returning to this genre is huge. But there is a real issue which is — what is the state of the Alien franchise at this point in our lives? There has been Alien vs. Predator and all these things, and its been completely and totally diluted. I’ve always felt that really good prequels should be original movies. And the sequels to those prequels should not be the movie which already exists because, with all due respect to anyone who makes a prequel, but why would you ruin the greatest twist in the history of cinema, “Luke, I am your father”, by showing me three movies which basically spoil that surprise. You can do movies which take place before Star Wars, but I don’t need to see the story of the Skywalker clan. Show me something else which I can’t guess the possible outcome of. There is no suspense in inevitability. So a true prequel should essentially proceed the events of the original film, but be about something entirely different, feature different characters , have an entirely different theme, although it takes place in that same world. That was my fundamental feeling about what this movie wanted to be.

Earlier this week Ridley Scott and stars Michael Fassbender and Noomi Rapace were at the CineEurope event to generate enthusiasm with exhibitors for the upcoming 3D sci-fi flick. Scott confirmed that the title ‘Prometheus’ refers to the name of the space ship that is sent from earth by an all-powerful corporation, possibly for the purpose of terraforming, and added that the film takes place in the same universe as Alien and evolved out of a desire to explore the mystery of the ‘Space Jockey‘ seen in the original.

Scott also said that the film will try to address the questions of the universe, and is partially inspired by the writings of legendary Swiss sci-fi writer Eric van Daniken.

The (space) journey, metaphorically, is about a challenge to the gods… NASA and the Vatican agree that is almost mathematically impossible that we can be where we are today without there being a little help along the way.  That’s what we’re looking at (in the film), at some of Erich von Däniken’s ideas of how did we humans come about.

It all starting to sound pretty incredible and from Lindelof’s approach to the script and Scott’s endeavors to ask bigger questions about space,  it’s shaping up to be a definitive sci-fi outing. Prometheus also stars Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce along with Logan Marshall-Green, Rafe Spall, Sean Harris and Kate Dickie.

Prometheus opens June 8th, 2012.

Thanks to Kevin Pollack’s Chat Show for the in-depth interview with Damon Lindelof :

Time index:

[23:00] Intro of Lindelof

[26:00] Lost, including criticism of finale (and talk about other show finales), and “feud” with George RR Martin

[50:00] Inspirations, including (George Lucas & Stephen King)

[59:00] Early writing and time at NYU

[1:07:00] Early life in Hollywood

[1:15:00] More on Stephen King and King film/TV adaptations

[1:26:00] Admits likes Star Wars more than Star Trek (in series of This v That questions)

[1:27:00] Genesis Lost and his starting his JJ Abrams collaboration, and becoming showrunner, and even more Lost

[2:10:00] Cowboys & Aliens and working with Jon Favreu, and collaborating with Orci, Kurtzman and other writers (on C&A)

[2:18:00] Prometheus (and working with Ridley Scott) and its connection to Alien franchise

[2:24:00] How the writer’s strike allowed him to produce Star Trek while also working on Lost

[2:25:00] More on Ridley Scott and Prometheus [fun fact: took 2 weeks to write first draft of script]

[2:34:00] Talks briefly about newly announced 1952 project with Disney, clarifies he won’t be working on it until after the Star Trek sequel

[2:38:00] Wrapping up and outro[2:43:00] Damon playsLarry King Game (doing bad Larry King impression)

via: THR,  Collider,  TrekMovie