There's only a few weeks left before all the mystery that shrouds Ridley Scott's "Prometheus" is whisked away with the film's theatrical release. The movie is reaching 'Dark Knight' levels of hysteria, and as you may have noticed, it's been regularly filling up the Playlist home page. A new profile with The Hollywood Reporter now sheds a little more light on the film and Scott's upcoming plans to get your interest further piqued.
While the plan for a sequel to the upcoming film isn't news, THR now notes that the project is something Scott "hopes will come next," presumably after "The Counselor." Lensing on the latter will begin this fall with a star-studded cast including Michael Fassbender, Brad Pitt, Javier Bardem, Cameron Diaz and Penelope Cruz for what Scott describes as "'No Country For Old Men' on steroids." Could the "Prometheus" sequel be happening straight after that? Possibly, but we're sure Scott's and the studio's plans are highly dependent on the box office performance of the upcoming film.
Billed as an "Alien" prequel, the helmer once again confirms that "Prometheus" only makes passing references to its predecessor and, as previously mentioned, instead "pays heavy tribute to author Erich von Daniken's ideas in his 1968 book "Chariots of the Gods?" Among other things, that novel argues a few particular points, including: [potential spoilers] a) structures and artifacts have been found that represent higher technological knowledge than is presumed to have existed at the time they were manufactured; b) interpretations of ancient artwork throughout the world have been concluded as depictions of astronauts, air and space vehicles, extraterrestrials, and complex technology; and c) explanations for the origins of religions point to reactions to contact with an alien race.
As for a sequel, or prequel, or whatever to his 1982 sci-fi classic "Blade Runner'? The project is still being scripted by Hampton Fancher, and is simply noted as something else on Scott's agenda along with the "Prometheus" sequel and the biopic on English writer, traveler, archaeologist and spy Gertrude Bell, which is a potential Angelina Jolie-starring vehicle.
Other tidbits about "Prometheus" mentioned in the THR profile include the fact the film's "creatures" take on "at least four different forms as it grows and changes, sometimes 'organically' in a way that Rapace calls 'every woman's worst nightmare'"; that it was Damon Lindelof who insisted against an "Alien" prequel; that Rapace's character was initially named Elizabeth Watts but was changed to avoid confusion with Fox executive Emma Watts; and that other potential names for the space ship included Paradise and Icarus (oddly, also the name of the ship in Danny Boyle's "Sunshine") before they settled with Prometheus.
Below is also another viral video from the pic featuring Noomi Rapace's Elizabeth Shaw pleading with Weyland Enterprises for assistance to help her delve further into her theories with (you guessed it!) more images from the upcoming film, including some concept art. Do you need reminding? "Prometheus" hits June 8th. [THR/THR]
