Our Prometheus Magazine Article

Keep in mind that this was written before the three trailers came out and I added some stuff the day the three trailers came out as we had to meet the publishing deadline. I thought however, you might want to read it. This is from our latest magazine issue and you can get a free digital copy of you like. acclaimed director Ridley Scott made quite a splash when it was announced that he was returning to the science fiction genre, the genre he made such an impressive splash in back in 1979 with the film Alien. With his new film Prometheus, speculation and excitement were through the roof when it was first announced. The film is planned as a two-part prequel to Alien that would be shot in 3-D and would be epic in the scale of James Cameron's Avatar. As production went long on the script, reports arose that there was disagreement between Scott and 20th Century Fox regarding the film's rating and budget. It was reported that Scott wanted a $250 million film and would shoot with a hard R rating. Fox, who had convinced Scott to direct the film rather than simply produce, wanted something more budget-friendly that would be PG-13, thus making it more box-office-friendly, to include the revenue from younger viewers. While no report on the budget has been confirmed it has been reported Scott will take a novel approach by filming both an R-rated and a PG-13 version with the studio making the final decision on what's released, with the R-rated version slated for Blu-ray and DVD post-release. Prometheus was initially assumed to be an Alien prequel but was later described by Scott to be a standalone film that shared DNA with Alien. The phrase "Shared DNA" has led to numerous speculations,and the fact that the film has been shrouded in secrecy since filming began, has certainly done nothing to quell the rash of rumors and speculation amongst fans worldwide. By the time this issue hits press, Prometheus will be less than three months away from making its debut and with that in mind I will attempt to provide rumor control, as the warden in Alien 3 so aptly told his inmates. (This is not to say that I think of you, our fine readers, as inmates.) And no, I don't expect a large xenomorph to plop down from overhead. My deal is simply to try to separate fact from fiction. The connection to Alien is indeed nebulous in the film, but numerous reports as well as the teaser trailer had indicated that there is much more of a connection than a few tenuous threads. Charlize Theron confirmed at the 2011 San Diego Comic-Con and in various reports that she will play an executive named Meredith Vickers who works for the Weyland Corporation. As any fan of the series knows that is the mysterious company that was behind so much of the skulduggery in the first three Alien films and was also mentioned in Alien Resurrection as well as shown in earlier incarnations in both of the Aliens vs. Predators movies. Further reports have the character of Charles Wayland being featured in the movie which thus helps to underscore the connection. Photos and early trailers for the film definitely show a heavy influence of Swiss surrealist artist H.R Giger who came up with the creature and the bio-mechanical elements of the series. In a chamber containing urns, passageways that appear organically-ribbed are evident, eerily reminiscent of the derelict spacecraft from the first film. The teaser trailer goes even further and shows what appears to be a space jockey, as well as a spacecraft identical to that derelict alien spacecraft from the original Alien, as well as the unmistakable telescopic chair that the space jockey fossil from Alien was found sitting upon. Hence the connection seems more than just a passing resemblance to Alien. Scott has attempted to clarify that Prometheus is indeed a standalone movie with its own separate story but in light of mounting evidence has announced that the final 8 to 9 minutes of the film definitely does establish a connection to Alien. The nature of that connection and the fact that Scott has announced that, if all goes well, a second Prometheus film will be made after he finishes his sequel to Blade Runner which is also in the planning stages. I think it is safe to say that while the film will have connections to Alien it will be its own entity as in events happening independently of events in the first film that ultimately lead to a common connection. Case in point, it is my understanding that the film will deal with the space jockeys, who fans of the series know was the name given to the fossilized alien found in the derelict spacecraft in Alien. Many people have speculated as to who they were at their origin and their connection to the alien life form and this has been explored somewhat in extended universe stories such as comic books and novels. The film involves a group of humans that are sent to a distant planet, in the state-of-the-art ship Prometheus, after receiving a clue on Earth that indicates that the human race had its origins deep beyond our solar system. The crew is sent out in order to discover the mysteries and to see if there is any valuable technology or information that can be discovered. While the previously mentioned Vickers covers the company interest, Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace, reportedly will head the scientific side of the expedition. Michael Fassbender is on board as an android named David and there is an extremely impressive cast that rounds out the crew. It is known that they discover something rumored to be a center point in the evolution of life and in the creation of life on lifeless planets. At some point a threat is encountered forcing the crew to battle not only for their survival but for the very survival of the human race. Numerous speculations have arisen that the group encountered space jockeys perhaps trying to steal key technology which in turn deems them as a threat and places everyone in mortal peril. A look at the teaser trailer shows the derelict spacecraft or one just like it exploding, people in scenes of torment and anguish, and epic visuals. While the connection to Alien is at this time is undetermined, it is safe to say that we will see familiar themes and elements from the series and that the film, as it stands now is, at least, vast in its scope and ambition. One of the more interesting beliefs is that the actions of the Prometheus crew lead to the creation of the xenomorph alien and since the creature as we know it likely does not appear in the film. This explains why many are quick to say it is not a prequel to Alien but rather a completely new story that shares elements of the Alien series. Though still shrouded in secrecy, the curtain has been pulled back considerably with the release of three trailers, all of which feature different scenes and shed further light upon the film's top-secret story. The trailers do confirm that the expedition is the result of an archaeological find that indicates an extraterrestrial intelligence has visited and perhaps influenced early civilization on Earth. Setting off on the Prometheus, the diverse crew eventually makes contact with an unknown entity and chaos ensues. All three trailers indicate great strength upon the ship and there are indications of mutations, deadly conflict, and a myriad of unspeakable horrors that have resulted from their visit to this previously unknown planet. The trailer shows further evidence that the spaceship, which resembles the derelict ship seen in Alien is on its way to Earth and the crew is determined to stop it at all costs as they fear that failure would result in them not having an Earth to return to. At his Question & Answer during Wondercon, director Ridley Scott did indicate that there is a scene in the film as shocking, if not more so, as the infamous chest burster scene in the original Alien. He stressed that the film started as a prequel and then evolved into its own unique story but clearly alluded to numerous connections to the franchise without directly saying so. While the trailers clearly indicate that the film is part of the Alien series the question remains as to just how deeply the connection is at to where it fits into the grand storyline. While it does appear to be on the surface very much a prequel, Scott reiterated time and time again that it is a standalone film but has hinted that there are nods to alien throughout. Scott indicated that he would like to do a second Prometheus film and if what we have seen in the trailers is any indication of what is in store for us, I think I would not be alone in saying fans will be clamoring for more as the movie truly looks epic in scale and does look to be a welcome and much-needed addition to the series. As fans eagerly await the movie's opening one thing is abundantly clear, Prometheus has, perhaps, more anticipation going for it than any of the summer films. With that come large expectations that hopefully it can fill, to mark a triumphant return to the science fiction genre for director Ridley Scott. Written by Gareth Von Kallenbach Edited by Genevieve McBride Managing Editor Skewed & Reviewed www.sknr.net