Note: I’ll give you the non-spoiler version first, so if you’re worried about reading spoilers it’s safe to click. Just don’t scroll down!
Yes, the plural of “synopsis” is “synopses”, believe it or not. I learned that from the Family Feud category “Words I Never Thought I’d Use.” Anyway, Bleeding Cool provides us with 20th Century Fox’s official synopsis for Ridley Scott‘s upcoming Alien prequel, Prometheus. Of course, Fox still won’t officially admit that the film is a loose prequel set in the same universe as Alien, but the entire world knows better by now. So here you go, folks:
Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery.”
A little brief on the details, no? Nonetheless, co-writer Damon Lindelof confirmed the film is a loose prequel to Alien in an interview with Slashfilm, stating (rather brilliantly I might add) why this film is a “loose” prequel: “I’ve always felt that really good prequels should be original movies. And the sequels to those prequels should not be the movie which already exists because, with all due respect to anyone who makes a prequel, but why would you ruin the greatest twist in the history of cinema, “Luke, I am your father”, by showing me three movies which basically spoil that surprise. You can do movies which take place before Star Wars, but I don’t need to see the story of the Skywalker clan. Show me something else which I can’t guess the possible outcome of. There is no suspense in inevitability. So a true prequel should essentially proceed 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.”
His line about Star Wars, in particular, is very true — my brother once pointed out that if you watch the Star Wars films “in order” (Episodes I – 6) you essentially ruin just about every surprise in the series. Except for the Ewoks. But really, who over the age of eight really cares about Ewoks?
Of course, yesterday Alien Prequel News provided a leaked synopsis that reveals far more detail. According to their reports, Fox released the above “official” synopsis in response, in addition to the denial that this spoiler synopsis below isn’t accurate. So, if it isn’t accurate after all I’m sure Fox won’t mind us posting it, too. Highlight the text below to read it:
Earth. Year 2058.
Archaeological digs in Africa reveals alien artifacts that proves humans were genetically engineered by a advanced alien race (space jockeys). These “Alien Gods” also terraformed Earth in order to make it habitable for their human creations. Amongst the finds are coordinates to the Alien Gods’ home-world. To Paradise. Months later the Weyland Corp launch the spaceship PROMETHEUS and his crew, into deep space to make first contact. Thanks to faster than light travel a few years later the PROMETHEUS enters the Zeta Riticuli star system. Humans are greeted by their makers, then transported further into space to a scary yet fascinating world. The Alien Gods are proud of their “children”, their first creation to reach such levels of intelligence. As a reward they share bits of their astonishing bio-based technologies with the humans. But for one member of the Prometheus’ crew it’s not enough. In a treacherous act he steals the “bio-source code” to Terraforming, A technology at the origin of all Gods’ powers, that could make humans equal to their creators. The Alien Gods may be scientists but are also ruthless conquerors,
destroyers of worlds who will not accept humans as equals. They unleash on the escaping human crew their favorite bio-weapon, a creature used to “clean up” worlds before colonization. But something goes wrong in the process and humans manage to turn the bio-weapon against their makers. Giving birth to a smarter, nastier, bigger breed
of gut eating creatures. Creatures that will be the demise of Paradise. What’s left of the Prometheus crew manages to escape the doomed alien planet. On their trail a survivor Alien God on a familiar ship with an ultimate mission. Bring the wrath of the Gods to Earth.
Now THAT sounds like an Alien prequel, doesn’t it?
Prometheus is set for a June 8, 2012 release. Noomi Rapace (the original The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo) is set to star as scientist Elizabeth Shaw, with Charlize Theron in the other female lead role of Vickers and Michael Fassbender as David. The initial script, which was written by Jon Spaihts (The Darkest Hour) from Scott‘s plot, has been rewritten by Scott and Lost creator Damon Lindelof.
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