When an Alien prequel was first announced, Ridley Scott wasn't even attached as a director.
When he came on board to return to the franchise (and the genre) in which he made his name, the prospect of revisiting the Alien universe became a lot more tantalising (even with our post-AvP cynicism).
Deadline are now reporting that Twentieth Century Fox have officially announced that the movie, now called Prometheus (not Paradise), will hit cinemas in March 2012.
Fox have also confirmed that original Girl with the Dragon Tattoo Noomi Rapace is locked in to play scientist Elizabeth Shaw.
Rumour has it that Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are in contention for the other big female role, but Fox confirmed nothing, merely stating that the remaining roles "would be cast soon."
Sir Ridley said the following about the project: "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 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."
Writer Damon Lindelof (Star Trek, Lost, Cowboys & Aliens) added: "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 theatre 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 hasn't made a sci-fi movie since helming two of the genre's finest every entries: Alien and Blade Runner.
It'll be incredibly exciting to see what Scott will bring to the project at this stage in his career, and it's promising that Rapace has been confirmed, as she's one of only a handful of contemporary actresses who could match Sigourney Weaver's fierce determination.
March 2012 can't come around quickly enough...
Source: Deadline
Stoked about Prometheus? Will Ridley make the franchise great again? Comment now!
Comments
DanRose
Jan 15th 2011, 11:45
Wait... the writer Damon Lindelof was a kid in a cinema when he watch Alien?? How did he get in! Bollocks I say....
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badger86
Jan 15th 2011, 13:59
Alien was rated R in the states so Lindelof probably did see it, he just had to be accompanied by an adult. Also this is NOT an Alien prequel, rather an original idea which stemmed from those Alien prequel scripts, which look like they have been ditched for now. It may be set in a similar or the same universe but is apparently not Alien...dissapointing yes but the idea of scott taking on an original sci-fi tale is tantalising. http://popwatch.ew.com/2011/01/14/alien-prequel-prometheus-ridley-scott/
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ChrisWootton
Jan 15th 2011, 14:38
Awesome.. 2012 can't come quick enough now (unless the Mayans were right). The idea of a sci-fi visionary like Scott returning to the genre is exciting enough.. the fact that it's within the Alien universe that he (along with Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett - not sure if that's spelt right) created is frankly the best movie news to come along in a while. Genuinely excited about this.. hopefully he'll lock in Michael Fassbender (as previously reported), he'd fit perfectly into an Alien movie.
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DravenCage
Jan 15th 2011, 16:48
@ DanRose - If you read the article again, he doesn't say he watched Alien in the cinema, he says that Alien caused him to raise his feet off the floor when he went to the cinema after having seen Alien.
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Hadouken76
Jan 15th 2011, 18:49
I dont know about Angelina Jolie, she plays Angelina Jolie in pretty much every movie
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sav337
Jan 15th 2011, 20:44
^^^I agree^^^ Every movie Jolie has been in, has been typical Jolie (Except for Changeling) After The Tourist and Salt, I just don't want to see Jolie for awhile. I know she is capable of amazing performances she just needs to be smart about the roles she picks.
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blackrainpr
Jan 16th 2011, 2:50
2012 it's gonna be awesome!!!
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KerrAvon
Jan 17th 2011, 20:00
Okay now that Noomi is involved this could be really good, whereas before it felt like Ridley was cashing in after Robin Hood tanked. Fassbender is a good call though.
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