The film was first reported in mid-2009 as an untitled prequel to Scott's 1979 science fiction horror film Alien. Scott sought to produce the prequel and have former commercial director Carl Erik Rinsch to direct it, but 20th Century Fox, which owns the Alien franchise rights, wanted Scott to be the director.[1] By July of 2009, Scott was attached to direct the film. Screenwriter Jon Spaihts had pitched to Fox his approach to the prequel. The studio and Scott liked the pitch and hired Spaihts to write the screenplay.[2] Scott anticipated setting the film 30 years prior to Alien and to produce the film in two parts and in 3D. The director said in an interview, "The film will be really tough, really nasty. It's the dark side of the moon. We are talking about gods and engineers. Engineers of space. And were the aliens designed as a form of biological warfare? Or biology that would go in and clean up a planet?" The story, which originally went through several drafts, featured a female lead character and would present a "technologically feasible" view on the early stages of "near faster-than light" travel, as well as focus on terraforming and Weyland Industries before its merger with the Yutani Corporation.[3] The film would explore the nature and origin of the unknown extraterrestrial race, who only had a brief appearance in the first Alien as the derelict spaceship's pilot. Scott also announced that the original Zeta II Reticuli planetary system would have been part of the prequel story.[4] Screenwriter Damon Lindelof was hired to revise Spaihts's screenplay.[5] In October of 2010, Lindelof submitted the revised screenplay to 20th Century Fox. The studio was pleased because it had contested Scott's proposed budget of $150--160 million and found Lindelof's screenplay to be more budget-conscious; Scott had initially requested a $250 million budget along with an R rating, but 20th Century Fox was reluctant to invest so much money in a film that was not PG-13.[6]
Rumors that the movie would be released under the title of "Paradise" were debunked by 20th Century Fox & Devin Faraci, formerly of CHUD.com.[7] In January of 2011, the film was confirmed to be titled Prometheus with a release date for 2012.[8] Scott downplayed the film's ties to the Alien franchise. He said, "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 recognize strands of Alien's DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative."[9] However, speaking to MTV on February 12, 2011, Fassbender stated the film was still an Alien prequel, saying, "Prometheus is absolutely connected to Alien... There's a definite connecting vein."[10] In a June 2011 interview, screenwriter Damon Lindelof claimed it will be a prequel to the Alien films but follow a different story, stating "a true prequel should essentially [precede] 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".[11]
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bZGxlE0JzbE
Casting
In October 2010, several female actors met with Scott for a role in the film, and Natalie Portman and Noomi Rapace were reported as early contenders.[21]
The principal cast members of Prometheus are:
Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw. Rapace met with Scott in August 2010 for the film's lead role.[22] Other actresses in talks for the role included Gemma Arterton, Carey Mulligan, and Abbie Cornish.[23][24] In January 2011 Rapace was confirmed for her role as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, a character she has likened to the Alien franchise's Ellen Ripley.[25][26]
Charlize Theron as Meredith Vickers.[27][28] Theron described the character as "a suit who slowly sheds that skin through the film".[29] Michelle Yeoh was previously rumored to play the character, described as "a fortysomething, tough-but-sexy woman".[30]
Idris Elba as Captain Janek[27][31]
Michael Fassbender as David, an android.[30][32]
Guy Pearce[33]
Ben Foster[27]
Kate Dickie[27]
Logan Marshall-Green as Holloway, Elizabeth's love interest.[34][35]
Sean Harris[27]
Emun Elliot as Chance[36]
Benedict Wong as Ravel[37]
Rafe Spall[38]
James Payton[39]
Directed by Ridley Scott
Produced by Ridley Scott
Tony Scott
David Giler
Walter Hill
Written by Damon Lindelof
Jon Spaihts
Starring Noomi Rapace
Charlize Theron
Michael Fassbender
Guy Pearce
Idris Elba
Cinematography Dariusz Wolski
Editing by Pietro Scalia
Studio Scott Free
Distributed by 20th Century Fox
Release date(s) June 8, 2012 (United States)
Country United States
Language English
Prometheus (Alien prequel)
Release Date: June 08, 2012
Director: Ridley Scott
Writer: Damon Lindelof, Jon Spaihts
Starring: Noomi Rapace Michael Fassbender Charlize Theron Idris Elba Sean Harris Guy Pearce Kate Dickie Rafe Spall Logan Marshall-Green Benedict Wong Emun Elliott Ben Foster Patrick Wilson
Studio: 20th Century Fox
