What has long been whispered about sounds like it is becoming a reality; 20th Century Fox is making plans for a sequel to this summer's sci-fi hit, Prometheus, set to be released in either 2014 or 2015.
With an R-rating and a budget over $130 million, Ridley Scott’s return to sci-fi was one of the most buzzed-about films of the year given the pedigree of talent involved and the fact that the project was (essentially) a prequel to Scott’s 1979 classic, Alien. To say that audience and critical reaction was polarized would be a severe understatement; for many, it was already the “love it or hate it” film of the year.
Regardless, the film has since taken in over $300 million at the global box office (no small task given its rating) and Fox is keen to capitalize on renewed interest in the “Alien” universe.
The only solid information from The Hollywood Reporter is that both Noomi Rapace (lead scientist Elizabeth Shaw) and Michael Fassbender (the android called David) are already signed on to reprise their roles. What is being noted is that screenwriter Damon Lindelof (who took a few beatings for the film’s gaping plot holes and nonsensical characters) may not return citing his commitment to his upcoming series for HBO. It sounds like Fox is already shopping around for other writers.
It would also be a surprise if Scott, who is helping to develop the sequel, didn’t helm it as well, especially after fighting as hard as he did to get Prometheus made. He seems content to revisit past film worlds he helped establish lately given that he also has a sequel to Blade Runner in the works.
So without a writer and the Blade Runner sequel still possibly on the director's upcoming slate, a 2015 release for a second Prometheus is the far more likely possibility. The filmmakers will also need the time to expand on the ending of Prometheus, admittedly one without any sense of closure, and perhaps bring Shaw and David into the official canon of the “Alien” universe.
Then there are the myriad of questions asked by the film that never quite get answered (*slight spoilers*): where did the fabled Engineers come from? Why did they target humanity for destruction, especially if they created us? Was the black goo the basis for the Xenomorph of Alien fame? How did it make it to LV-426? Was it a result of Shaw and David?
Do you think a sequel can answer these questions? Or should it even try?
