On last week’s Slice of SciFi, we brought you news about the casting for the upcoming “Alien” prequel.
The good news is that the project is still moving forward with Ridley Scott directing.
The other news is that it will no longer be a prequel to the “Alien” franchise. (Whether this is good or bad, we leave up to you decide.)
Deadline reports the movie will be called “Prometheus” and it’s set to hit theaters March 2, 2012. Scott says the project started as a prequel to “Alien” but with the help of screenwriter Damon Lindelof, it’s become something else.
“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,” Scott says. “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.”
“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,” adds Lindelof.
With the prequel tag off the project, Scott was quick to cast Swedish actress Noomi Rapace in the lead role. No word yet in if Charlize Theron will be involved as we reported in Slice of SciFi #299. Reports indicate that Theron and Angelina Jolie are both under consideration for a role in the film.
Wow this is some major news…i bet it will be like riddick was to pitch black but more so. Too bad it wont be an aliens movie but i hope it be good sci fi.
I think I am more excited about an original scifi story over a prequel. I’d love to see more in the that ‘verse, but if this particular story has grown beyond that I wouldn’t want it to be tied down just for the sake of being tacked on to a franchise.
The real news here is Noomi Rapace/Ridley Scott/Lindelof. Pinch me. I must be dreaming.
Clearly Ridley Scott just read my post to the producers of SGU and decided to drop the prequel idea. I didn’t realize I was so powerful.
I have been an Alien fan since the original one came out in 1979. There has been infinite imitations, but none could equal the original. I look forward to this next installment. Perhaps casting should go with an unknown, Sigourney Weaver was an unknown in the original and it was her break out hit. Maybe lightning can strike again for someone else.
I think that relative unknown is going to be Noomi Rapace (unknown unless you are a hard core Millennium fan or like foreign film) which is why the studios want a bigger name on the ticket too to go along with Rapace. And this movie isn’t going to be part of the Alien franchise.
I was looking forward to another Alien movie, (AVP doesn’t count) but I might still watch this when it comes out since it’s Ridley Scott! 🙂