UPDATE: Damon Lindelof has provided a response via SlashFilm. See his comments below.
While it disappointed many, I still really liked PROMETHEUS. The movie reunited Ridley Scott with the world of science fiction and took a very ambitious approach to the ALIEN universe. Sure, it had some plot holes, but it was left open for a potential sequel. Okay, so maybe the sequel wasn’t necessary, but you can’t really make a movie in Hollywood these days unless it is a potential franchise.
It had already been confirmed that PROMETHEUS 2 was being targeted for a release date sometime around 2014 or 2015, but at the end of 2012, screenwriter Damon Lindelof announced he would not be joining the returning Ridley Scott, Michael Fassbender, and Noomi Rapace for the second film. The original screenplay for PROMETHEUS was written by Jon Spaihts before Lindelof was brought in to bring the film less directly in line with the ALIEN series. With Lindelof leaving, his direction for the story is pretty much lost.
According to Bloody Disgusting, Ridley Scott and Fox executives are “freaking out” and looking for any and all possible ideas to continue with the sequel. PROMETHEUS was left open-ended enough that the film can be left without a sequel, but why not try and make a ton of money on sn established property when you have the pieces in place? I would put my money on the sequel being far closer to ALIEN than PROMETHEUS was.
I would not be surprised if this movie gets cancelled all together, but I would be even less surprised if we get a follow up without Ridley Scott as anything more than a producer. Fassbender and Rapace may be locked into appear, but that doesn’t mean they have to like it.
UPDATE: Damon Lindelof was contacted by SlashFilm for comment. He provided a long email detailing his feelings on where the sequel stands, including the fact that he doubts Ridley Scott has ever freaked out in his life. Follow the link for the full email, but here is a snippet:
As to whether Ridley and Fox are “freaking out” about me not working on a sequel, well that’s news to me. I retain awesome relationships with both. More importantly, the idea that there aren’t many, MANY writers out there capable of taking the reins is sort of ridiculous. I did not map out a trilogy and then walk when the going got tough. Anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know me and doesn’t know the truth.
Lindelof and Scott may not be the ones freaking out, but Fox execs may be as they try to keep a 2014 release date within their sights.