Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland

I've raised this in other threads. I believe this is the most definitive sign yet that a sequel will centre around the younger Weyland, his developing David series and to a lesser extent Vickers. I could tell the story of how Weyland developed his 'god complex' how he uses the androids to do his bidding (possibly even involving Vickers) and even tell the story of the 'faulty' David 7 series and why it had to be recalled (it could have been more advanced and developed it own consciousness, and questioned its creation, in a similar way that humans are doing the same with the Engineers therefore we destroyed it as did the engineer in the film). From watching the film i got the impression that both David and Weyland were 5 steps ahead of the rest of the crew, almost like they knew what would be there from previous experience/knowledge. (if i were Weyland, id have sent David to the planet the check it out first before venturing down there myself). I believe Guy has been purposely casted for a further story surrounding his younger self. The role was so small no one would have noticed if it were a women in make-up, so why go to the effort/expense of casting a Hollywood A-lister to disguise him behind makeup for what is essentially 4mins of film?

Well, considering what happens to Weyland and the way in which he was portrayed, I feel Guy Pearce was an excellent choice as Weyland. That said, I do see your point, when there are excellent senior actors such as Ian McDarmid(Emperor Palpatine), Bill Nighy, and even James Cromwell. Perhaps Ridley felt since Weyland had already been shown as Weyland in his younger days, he wanted to keep the continuity imho...

I read an interview with Ridley who said they originally had a flashback scene with Weyland when he was younger, but they never filmed it. He said people would probably end up asking that same question (why a young actor to play the part of an old man).

My reaction (before hearing the interview regarding the flashback) was that we as the audience would always be expecting him to rejuvinate, so Ridley was playing a deliberate trick on us by not having that happen. I quite like that idea anway.

I hear what your saying freak, but I think a sequel involving shaw/davids head will result in new world yeah , but it'd ultimately be a camp fire conversation (question/answer session) between shaw and an engineer. it could answer all the questions, but isn't really a film on its own. I think that much of what we saw in Prometheus could be answered (very subtly) by a prequel where it is established that both Weyland and David knew more than what they let on in the film. I believe David was meant to say that but didn't, I reckon his comment was more selfish and geared to benefit him only (conceited like his creator) it also appeared as though the action of the engineer could have been a direct response to what David had said. The engineer listened, attended to what was said, thought about it and then decided to go on the way he did.

The Guy Pearce choice also bugs me. Ridleys apparent directors cut bugs me. I'm left fantasising that perhaps Ridley has something secret up his sleeve to reveal in October. I hope he does. It makes no sense what so ever to cast a young man to wear make up to look old for the entire film. Saying that he was made to look old because for 1 scene he has a flash back to when he was young makes no sense either. Maybe it's just an eccentric Ridley thing he does. As for prequel s I like the idea of following Wayland and learning the origins of his story. As for sequel I can see Guy being used as an android created by the company in honor of their lost founder or something. I want to see more into this than there probably is, but would it not be amazing if a second film of soughts already exists....