Prometheus - '79 Alien Link

Alien was originally going to be called "Star Beast", and its original script was way different from what we got in 1979. Some have speculated that we'll see a "Star Beast" in this movie, the result of the SJ's experimentation with some of the crew. However, all that info was just speculation based on so-called "leaks" months back. It wouldn't be wrong to believe that various stuff in the original script(s) might be thrown into Prometheus, though. Obviously we won't know until the movie's released, but being as this is a new opportunity for Sir Ridley, how could original elements not featured in Alien not be included into Prometheus? Not that I know too much about those elements; I don't know if the 1979 Alien movie was originally going to have those ampules and such, but I do know the alien in the movie was going to look just goofy as hell. xD

Original Alien Script was by the late, great Dan O'Bannon, not those Brandywine vultures.

I am a writer - not professionally, but for a hobby. I have been writing a trilogy for over 15 years now. It started as a story based off of a film I saw, and then it grew into something much larger. Like what you said above, I have taken original elements not necessarily mentioned in my first story and incorporated them into later sequels. Ridley Scott and co. probably had a lot of ideas floating around that didn't get used in the original Alien, for whatever reason. This is part of the writing/creative process. We get to pick and choose the elements that end up in the final draft. Though I am not sad that this "urn" was never seen in the original Alien film, it excites me to know that this was not a new concept for Scott. He's staying true to some of his first, initial ideas behind Alien and the SJ's. What I don't like about filmmakers today - and I'll use George Lucas as an example - is that they go back and try to expound upon a previous work of theirs, and then incorporate ideas on the fly. Lucas added a lot of stuff to the prequels "just because," and not necessarily because they were in his original framework. The fact that Scott is incorporating ideas that he originally had is brilliant!

That's right Snorky. @ Obeyland Corp those two weasels Giler and Hill would had liked nothing more than to have stolen the original idea from the now late O'Bannon, it was his creation and it will always be. I'm just glad those two bastards have nothing to do with Prometheus.

@ Xenophobia - Sorry to burst your bubble there friend but check the new trailers and posters for Prometheus, and you will find mention of Brandywine Productions. Therefore they are involved with Prometheus, although I'm hoping in a non-creative aspect.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! Capt. Kirk: KAHN!! KAHNNN!!!

100% with you on the Great Dan O'Bannon, he is the one who wrote both the screenplay and the story, so no intention in taking away the credit for his work. However I could only find his '76 script which does not entirely fit the '79 Alien movie - that was the early version of the script I guess. I offered the june '78 version (this version of the script is entitled Alien, the Star Beast was already out of the question at that point) because it follows the storyline in every inch of detail (when I first read it I thought this was the extended version of the movie). thanks for the rep

Sorry there bud, that's why I'm taking a wait n see attitude until I've seen the film, before I give my opinion of it.

@ Snorky. Same here guys, despite everything that has been posted, despite all that has been said I want to walk into the cinema with the most open mind possible and see the whole thing and then formulate an opinion about the whole movie.

Yep, crossed my mind too. Hollywood is not recognized for it's originality, so what's new? A pity they couldn't imagine something truly original. Will see the flick on DVD. Count me out.

Sorry gents, but the original Alien story submitted by Dan O'bannon called "The Star Beast" would have made for some great '50's retro B scifi! It would have been unrecognizable however to any fan of the movie that was produced with the not inconsiderable help and writing talents of The brandywine brothers, Giler and Hill. Revisionist history is to oft the fare of the wishful thinker. Props to all I say:O)

Dan O'Bannon's Dark Star was a spoof of the 50's B-movie, and a very clever one at that. Then after the collapse of the Dune project Dan was creatively, financial and emotionally in a dark place and decided to revisit Dark Star from a serious, horror-based point of view. Many of the themes central to the Alien creature where envisioned by both O'Bannon and Shussett. After finishing the script it almost became a Roger Corman B-Movie until the Brandywine guys (Gordon Carroll, David Giler and Walter Hill) saw the script. Carroll liked it, but the others didn't. Carroll asked Giler to optimize the screenplay, but aside from the Ash/Company conspiracy (which although good was a staple in 70's movies) most of Gilers additions and changes deviated too much from what was good about the script. After failing to attract directors, and with Giler not willing to direct it they eventually approached Ridley Scott after seeing The Duelist. Scott liked it but liked the core of O'Bannon's original. After meeting O'Bannon the film really started to come together. Dan O'Bannon suggested Giger for the Alien designs and Ron Cobb for the interiors, Ridley suggested Mobius and Foss for the exteriors. O'Bannon also finalised the design of the facehugger, Ridley the egg, whereas the Brandywine guys were moved to the background, essentially acting as middle men. What you see on screen when watching Alien is the fruit of Ridley, O'Bannon, Giger, Cobb, Foss, and Mobius, not Brandywine. They are greedy pencil pushers that realised the potential and eventual profit they could/have gained from this franchise. They are Vultures, of the highest order. End of!

Well!! I geuss you told me Snorkelbottom:O) If all you say is true, then I sit corrected. Thanks for the "inside" scoop and illuminations. FYI, I live by the Brandywine river in Pa...no relation to Giler or Hill you'll be happy to know.

As I sit here listening to the Prometheus soundtrack, I hear a song entitled "Friend from the Past" and a familiar tune plays. I can't help but wonder if it's not the last song in the film and we'll see the edge of the Nostromo creep into frame as it ends.

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