Ridley Scott's Alien prequel becomes Prometheus

21 January 2011

John Howell

Ridley Scott's Alien prequel is no longer an Alien prequel. Instead, the film has morphed into a science fiction film in its own right, independent from the Alien film franchise. According to The Guardian, the new film will star Noomi Rapace (the original star of the Swedish version of The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo) as a scientist named Elizabeth Shaw. Scott has been adding to a screenplay by Damon Lindelof, based on a treatment by Jon Spaihts. Lindelof was one of the main writers on J.J. Abrams Lost, which ended after six seasons last year. The new film will be called 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," said Scott. "The keen fan will recognise 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 said, "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."

Scott had hinted that the first of two planned prequels would involve terraforming other planets, human slaves and would reveal the back-story of the original film's dead alien astronaut ("the space jockey."). As the production is in its very early days, it's unclear how much of these story ideas will make it into Prometheus.

Deadline reports that Prometheus will feature five major roles, one of which will be played by Noomi Rapace. No one has been cast yet for the other four. Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron though are strong possibilities.

In Greek mythology, Prometheus is a Titan, a champion of mankind, known for his wily intelligence, who stole fire from Zeus and gave it to mortals. Zeus punished him by having him bound to a rock while a great eagle ate his liver every day, only to have it grow back to be eaten again the next. In some ancient texts Prometheus is credited with – or possibly blamed for – playing a pivotal role in mankind's early history.

The description of Prometheus bound to a rock while a great eagle eats his liver reminds me of the early scene in the first Alien film where "the space jockey" is discovered in the remains of a crashed alien spacecraft. The titanic creature is strapped into what looks like a crash couch, a gapping hole in its chest, presumably a victim of an alien that had grown inside its body.

Prometheus is scheduled to be released March 9, 2012.