Alien prequel no longer! Ridley Scott and Damon Lindelof turn the film into Prometheus with Noomi Rapace

January 14th 2011, 7:22pm

Remember that one time that we were all freaking out over Ridley Scott’s ALIEN prequel? Worry no longer! That prequel has now morphed into a “more original” film called PROMETHEUS.

Scott is set to helm with a release date of March 9th, 2012. Noomi Rapace is now locked in for the lead role of scientist, Elizabeth Shaw. There’s also another lead female role, Vickers that has Angelina Jolie and Charlize Theron circling. In addition, three other parts need to be cast.

Here’s a deeper explanation:

The initial draft of the script was written by Jon Spaihts (THE DARKEST HOUR) from Ridley’s idea. Damon Lindelof and Scott have been working on a re-write which expands the story taking it in new directions. Apparently the two of them were instructed to go off on their own and come up with the story they wanted using the Alien DNA. Scott, who hasn’t entered sci-fi territory since BLADE RUNNER went over the outline of the new story, “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 recognize 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.”

Lindelof added this, “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 theater 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.” F*ck yes Lindelof! This is why I love you so much.

Scott wanted Rapace ever since he saw her portrayal of Lisbeth Salander in THE GIRL WITH THE DRAGON TATTOO. Fox says that all the other roles will be cast soon.

Yep. Now I’m really excited.