The Alien Prequel is Dead, Instead We Get This

Brian “Pac” Sostak

Those of you that frequent this site know that one of, if not my most anticipated movie for 2012 was the Alien prequel that will be directed by Ridley Scott.  Alien is one of my favorite films of all time and Scott has tantalized me with rumors for his new film so frequently that I can escape the whirlwind of excitement.  First rumors of one of my favorite actresses, Natalie Portman, joining the cast popped up on my computer screen, and most recently speculation that Charlize Theron would be joining the cast in one of four major roles.  Today, however, will be the final time (most likely) that I will be able to write about this film, because today we mourn its death.

It makes no sense, there wasn't even an awning in its direction

 But from its ashes rises the phoenix, or rather Prometheus, an original concept that still contains enough Alien DNA to be recognizable to loyal fans of the series.  Opting for an “original” film as opposed to continuing the Alien franchise increases the speculation that 20th Century Fox and Scott are looking to spark a new franchise, early last year Scott hinted at a two film arc to the Alien franchise that branched out into new mythology.  Not much else has changed in regard to the film, it will still be shot in 3D utilizing the RED Epic cameras and the crew will still remain intact.

Want more?  Prometheus also has an official release date: March 9, 2012 meaning we have just over a year til this film hits theaters.  Still want more?  Okay, it is no longer a rumor that Noomi Rapace will starring in the film, it is confirmed.  Confirmation of Rapace leaves 3 major roles yet to be filled, and one of those is still available for Charlize Theron. However, with the schedules of Prometheus and Snow White and the Huntsman conflicting, it is likely that Theron will have to choose between the roles.  Unfortunately, Snow White and the Huntsman offers the role of a villain, as opposed to a supporting role to Rapace, so speculation may be that Theron will not be joining the cast.

Which leaves us to our final bit of news/rumors as to who will fill out the cast.  If Theron opts to turn down the role, Angelina Jolie may be next in line.  Other names floating around the film have been Michael Fassbender (Inglorious Basterds), Michelle Yeoh (Memoirs of a Geisha), and Gemm Arterton (Quantum of Solace, Prince of Persia, Clash of the Titans).  While I’m not excited about the possibility of joining the cast, and don’t have an opinion on Yeoh, Micheal Fassbender seems like a good fit and Gemma Arterton is one of my favorite actresses on the rise.  Theron, Fassbender, and Arterton…

Are you serious?! YAYYYYY!

How do you feel about the new direction 20th Century Fox and Ridley Scott are taking with this film?  Who would you like to see cast alongside Noomi Rapace?  Do you wanna go to the midnight showing with me in March?

Look forward to seeing you again Charlize Theron

We haven’t seen Charlize Theron on-screen since 2009’s The Road but her name has been widely circulating the rumor mill and has been attached to a variety of projects for the upcoming year(s).  Charlize Theron is an incredibly gifted actress who I enjoy watching on-screen for both her beauty and talent, not to mention she hasn’t littered her resume with mindless romantic comedies. 

The two other films Sandra Bullock released in 2009

Theron has officially signed on to play the Evil Queen in the live-action film Snow White and the Huntsman.  While the rest of the cast for the film has not yet been announced, Theron was long rumored to play the role and it was recently confirmed.  Sadly though, news of her signing on for Snow White also comes with news that she has dropped out of the Clint Eastwood directed biopic J. Edgar starring Leonardo Dicaprio.  Theron was reportedly playing Hoover’s secretary Helen Gandy; and while this doesn’t sound like a particularly in-depth role, it’s hard to imagine Eastwood would have wasted a talent like Theron’s.

 

The Theron news of the day that excites me most however, is that she may be cast in the upcoming Alien prequel directed by Ridley Scott.  It is unclear what role Theron will be undertaking but it reportedly is not the lead role that Natalie Portman was rumored to occupy earlier this year.  All reports indicate that The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo star Noomi Rapace is the favorite for the lead role and that Theron may be cast in a supporting role, giving big name credit alongside the little known (in America at least) Rapace. 

 

Alien is one of my favorite movies of all-time and when I heard Ridley Scott was returning to direct the prequel, possibly with Natalie Portman, it was hard to hide the excitement on my face.

This method was a last resort

It’s upsetting to hear that Rapace will most likely replace Portman as the lead in this film, though I have not seen any of Rapace’s work (as I refuse to see The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo for this reason) so I’ll remain optimistic.  Hopefully the rumors attached to Theron and this role will come to fruition and this will remain on of my most anticipated movies for 2013.

Natalie Portman for Alien Prequel?

Entry by: Brian “Pac” Sostak

Natalie Portman is probably my favorite actress in Hollywood, not only is she gorgeous but she has an intelligence and a talent that far surpasses most actresses her age on screen today.  So you can imagine how excited I was when I read the rumor that Portman is rumored to play the lead in the upcoming Alien prequel which is to be directed by the original Alien director Ridley Scott. 

Anyone who has read my post: Top 10 Horror Movie of All Time knows that how much I enjoy Alien and how I think it far surpasses all of its sequels (including James Cameron’s Aliens).  With Ridley Scott returning to direct the prequel I hope that the franchise can return to its roots of a sci-fi horror film.  Ridley Scott is an exceptional director with a lot of great films to his credit (American Gangster, Black Hawk Down, Gladiator, and Thelma & Louise just to name a few), and while I do think sometimes his films can get a little long in the tooth (i.e. Robin Hood), sci-fi is his best genre and since he hasn’t done a true sci-fi film since Blade Runner, I’m excited to see him return to it. 

The Alien franchise has been carried by Sigourney Weaver for four installments and Natalie Portman is the perfect actress for Ripley to pass the torch on to.  Portman’s exposure will probably be at an all time high after the releases of Black Swan (which will probably earn her critical success) and Thor (which will earn her box office success), attracting a broader audience to the movie and giving it a very credible star.  This last point is important to this films success, with so many sequels, prequels, and remakes hitting the theaters recently, this film could have gotten lost as another rehash trying to milk the cash cow.  However, add Portman’s name to the billing along with Ridley Scott returning to direct the franchise he created and I think this film will compete for my must see movie of 2011 (if it makes a 2011 release).

In the meantime enjoy this SNL short starring Natalie Portman: