Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ prequel morphs into ‘Prometheus’

But director says new sci-fi film shares strands of 'Alien's DNA

20th Century Fox has announced via Twitter that director Ridley Scott has scrapped his long awaited Alien prequel, and is instead working on an original science-fiction story.

Scott‘s new film is to be called Prometheus and will star The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo actress Noomi Rapace.

Scott directed the original 1979 Alien movie, and he told Deadline that his work developing the aborted prequel had inspired the formulation of the new movie, which he says will be recognisable to fans of the 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 recognise strands of Alien‘s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn’t be more pleased to have found the singular tale I’d been searching for, and finally return to this genre that’s so close to my heart.”

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It is reported that screenwriter Jon Spaihts has written the first draft of Prometheus‘s script, which he then worked on further with former Lost show runner Damon Lindelof.

Lindelof said: “In a world flooded with prequels, sequels and reboots, I was incredibly struck by just how original Ridley‘s vision was for this movie. It’s daring, visceral and hopefully, the last thing anyone expects. When I sat in a movie theatre as a kid, feet raised off the floor for fear that something might grab my ankles, I never dreamed in my wildest imagination I would one day get to collaborate with the man responsible for it. Working alongside him has been nothing short of a dream come true.”

Rapace will play scientist Elizabeth Shaw, one of five main roles, with the other still to be cast. Deadline goes onto report that Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron are being considered for the other major female role, named Vickers.

Fox has also announced Prometheus will be released on March 9, 2012.

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