Showing posts with label Alien Prequels. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Alien Prequels. Show all posts

EDITORIAL: 5 Science Fiction Films That Could Use A Prequel/Reboot

 A new trend lately has been prequels and reboots it first started with Batman Begins giving us the untold origins of Batman. Currently science fiction has been the new genre to get a new wave of prequels and reboots. The Thing, Robocop, Total Recall and a somewhat connected Alien prequel are all getting made. So I figured I'd give my opinion on some science fiction films that could use either a prequel or reboot.

SCREAMERS: It's one of the lesser known Philip K. Dick adaptions yet it's one that could be either remade or given a prequel and still be equally as interesting. Screamers focuses on a waring group of industrial colonists that have been fighting each other for years on a distant planet. One side decides on creating a super lethal robot that would only attack when it locates a heartbeat. In the film there is talk of a massive war that included the use of nukes. While the isolation thriller works on it's own a backtrack to the origins of the war and the introduction to the Screamers could be worth visiting. As the original film didn't actually show much of the fighting between the two sides likely due to the limited budget. There are also chilling stories told by characters of the evolved Screamers infuriating bunkers and massacring units which could be explored.


ALIENS:  I'm a die hard fan of Aliens and my favorite parts involve the cut scenes of colony that were in the director's cut. A Hadley's Hope prequel could give more insight of what actually happened with Newt's family and the horror show that she must have endured. I think it would be interesting to see the colony slowly taken over by a horde of aliens with limited weapons. The ending would be predictable but I still think there could be some thrills. I figure if 20th Century Fox was aiming for two Alien prequels an Aliens prequel wouldn't out of the question. If this was made a couple of years ago Chloe Moretz would have made a decent Newt. 

BLADE RUNNER: There has been buzz ever since the Blade Runner rights have been picked up for a new film. While I'm almost completely against a Blade Runner sequel, a prequel could be amazing. Picking up where the replicants staged an off-world revolution could be an intriguing story. It wouldn't even need to feature Roy Batty but could show how miserable the life of a replicant is off-world where they are treated like slaves.



JURASSIC PARK: Universal has been trying for years to make Jurassic Park 4 and has yet to crack a solid story. Well it's tough to come up with ideas of why people would be trapped on the remote island. A prequel set on Isla Sorna (Site B) could be way to solve this problem as we don't really know what happened there when the park was shut down on Isla Nublar. Perhaps they went through a similar problem with the island's security measures. This would take place before the events of The Lost World. I could see a group stranded group of scientists, crew/locals and game wardens fighting off dinosaurs and trying to get off the island. It would also remove the need to involve a child and end up more of a thriller in the end.

STARSHIP TROOPERS: Starship Troopers setups an exciting bug filled universe and needs to be explored again. Most will remember it for the film's graphic violence and campy nature. Yet it's one of the only films of it's kind, as it's an alien invasion movie where we are the destructive invaders. The film is littered with older soldiers already maimed from previous battles. I think instead of another direct-to-DVD sequel they could totally reboot the franchise and show how the war was started.

WHICH FILM WOULD LIKE TO SEE GET A PREQUEL/REBOOT?

Idris Elba, Sean Harris & Kate Dickie Join Ridley Scott's Prometheus

TheDailyMail is reporting that Idris Elba (RockNRolla, The Wire), Sean Harris (Red Riding Trilogy) and Kate Dickie have joined Ridley Scott's Prometheus. Their roles are unknown at this point but I wouldn't rule out a couple of them being suits from the company. The amazing cast also has Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender and Charlize Theron in the leads.

Scoot McNairy (Monsters) has been linked for a role as well but it's unknown if he'll end up in the movie. As he's set to be a lead in Cogan's Trade and could take a role in Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter.


There are some rumors suggesting that the story could involve the original aliens but might be unrecognizable from the ones in the original two films. Like how the alien in Alien3 was hosted by a dog and moved/looked different from the aliens hosted by humans. A planet used to grow bio-weapons could also be involved this might be the origin planet of the xenomorphs. Of course this is all speculation also with the persistent talk of the space jockey being in the film as well. Prometheus along with Elysium are two science fiction films I'm dying to see in 2012. No matter how much of the original alien is involved. I've been waiting a long time for Ridley Scott to return to science fiction and the quality of the cast he's trying to assemble speaks volumes to me.

Noomi Rapace Cast In Ridley Scott's Prometheus Coming May 9th 2012

Deadline reports that Fox and Ridley Scott have cast Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw in Prometheus which is set for release on March 9th 2012.  The project was originally set to be a prequel to Alien but has become an original project. Ridley hasn't made an original science fiction project since the greatest film of the genre Bladerunner. While story elements are unknown Ridley states there will be familiar Alien DNA and promises a grand mythology/universe. I gather he means it will be a science fiction horror film and could likely involve aliens just not the Xenomorph.

Rapace had been championed by Ridley while Fox had their doubts but it looks like the director has got his way. Interesting enough is their new announcement that Angelina Jolie is going up against Charlize Theron for the role of Vickers. I'm curious to see who comes on top either way it should be enough for Fox to fit the bill for rather expensive production's budget. While I'm worried about Jolie's abilities, with Ridley in charge I have faith it could be amazing none the less. The only other name not mentioned is Michael Fassbender who had been linked for the role of the ship's android David.

To be honest this new information gives me the relief that our love for Alien won't be tarnished by a possible bad prequel. Now there is hope that we'll have yet another epically scaled science fiction classic from Ridley. I'm fully on board with this and will be following this closely and will post non-spoilers plot details when they surface. 

Charlize Theron Joining Alien Prequel?

While casting and auditions should be underway for Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel nothing official has been announced. We know that Ridley's choice for the lead role of Elizabeth Shaw is Noomi Rapace but Fox doesn't seem sold yet. Michael Fassbender (X-Men First Class, Inglourious Basterds) is up for the role of David an early version of the Bishop android. Ridley wanted Michelle Yeoh in the role of Vikers but Vulture is reporting the studio is looking at Charlize Theron instead. Fox is going as far as rewriting the role to make it larger, I expect to attract Theron to commit to the film/films. Charlize just dropped out of Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hover bio-pic which could allow her to make the movies.

I believe having Theron in the cast would help the studio agree to hire Noomi. Having two excellent award caliber actresses could reel in more big names to round out the cast. I think Michelle Yeoh is a great actress but has already played a similar role in Danny Boyle's Sunshine.

Red Epic 3D Cameras Will Be Used For Alien Prequel

Cinematographer Dariusz Wolski confirms via BleedingCool Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel (aka Paradise) will also be using the revolutionary Red Epic 3D camera system. Wolski is a very talented cinematographer working on all four Pirates of The Caribbean films, Alice In Wonderland, The Crow and Dark City. His addition along with art director Peter Dorme (Goldeneye, Casino Royale, Dark Knight, Sunshine, John Carter of Mars,) and production designer Arthur Max (Se7en, American Gangster, Gladiator, Robin Hood) makes for a excellent crew being lined up for the films. Other high profile productions using the Red Epics include Peter Jackson's Hobbit and Marc Webb's Spider-Man. Noomi Rapace is still rumored as the frontrunner for the lead role but zero casting announcements have been made by the studio.

Fassbender & Yeoh In Talks For Alien Prequels, Now Titled Paradise?

Vulture reports Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel is now titled Paradise. They also mention two new actors who are on Ridley's wishlist. For the role of android "David" Michael Fassbender (Inglourious Bsterds, X-Men First Class) is in mind along with Michelle Yeoh (Sunshine) for "Vickers".

There is also a businessman role I assume from the company who I'd like to see James Franco (127 Hours, Rise of The Apes) get. Franco had tested for the film but it's unknown for which part. Noomi Rapace is still the front runner for lead role of Elizabeth Shaw but no announcements have been made by the studio.

Olivia Wilde Also Up For Alien Prequels, Noomi Is Ridley's Top Choice

Deadline reports that Olivia Wilde (Tron Legacy, Cowboys & Aliens) has joined the list of candidates for the female lead in the Alien Prequels. She joins Noomi Rapace (Dragon Tattoo, Sherlock Holmes 2), Natalie Portman (Thor, Black Swan), Carey Mulligan and Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch). They also report Noomi is director Ridley Scott's top choice for the role but the studio has the ultimate pick. Her accent is an issue with 20th Century Fox but I don't think Swedish actors have much problems with pulling off American accents.

Fox Wants James Franco & Anne Hathaway For Alien Prequels?

BloodyDisgusting reports that Fox has two other names on their wish-list to be cast in their Alien Prequel directed by Ridley Scott. The site says they hope to get James Franco and Anne Hathaway. Franco is getting more known for his dramatic roles in films like Milk, 127 Hours and Howl. He's also helping Fox resurrect the Planet of The Apes franchise starring in their reboot/prequel Rise of The Apes. I'm hoping they want Anne Hathaway for a smaller role I couldn't see her carrying a two hour science fiction horror film.

Fox Wants Natalie Portman To Star In Alien Preuels

Vulture reports that 20th Century just received a new draft of the Alien prequel script from Damon Lindelof (Lost) and they love it. They add the studio is looking to pursue Natalie Portman for the lead role. The same role had actresses like Noomi Rapace, Carey Mulligan, Abbie Cornish and Gemma Arterton in the running.

Noomi Rapace Vs Carey Mulligan For Alien Prequels


 It looks 20th Century Fox and director Ridley Scott are very close to finding their lead actress for the Alien prequels. Deadline reports the studio is pursuing both Noomi Rapace and Carey Mulligan. Rapace had been in talks with the studio but since has lined up a supporting role in Sherlock Holmes 2. It's expected the films could start production later next year. Hopefully the rumors of friction between Ridley and Fox over budget/rating are false. There could be nothing worse than a watered down PG-13 alien film or one where it's budget is restricted. These films have a strong legacy on home video and if done properly will continue to make the studio profits even if they don't blow up the box office.

UPDATE: I'm not sure how I missed this but Abbie Cornish (Sucker Punch) is also in talks according to the Deadline story. Cornish has worked with Ridley Scott previously on the touching rom-com A Good Year. 

Gemma Arterton Joining The Alien Prequel?


British actress Gemma Arterton tells the SundayTimes that she could meet with Ridley Scott for the lead female role in the Alien prequels. The director was impressed by her intense performance in The Disappearance of Alice Creed. The role of course would not be Ripley since the film is set 30 years before the first film took place.






UPDATE: Swedish actress Noomi Rapace (Girl With The Dragon Tattoo) has also met with Ripley for the same role according to ScriptFlags. Noomi is being courted for many upcoming projects including MI4. So while it's possible it's just one of the many projects she's trying to lineup for herself.

Ridley Scott's Alien Prequel Updates


The Independent has some new quotes from director Ridley Scott on his Alien prequels.

"The film will be really tough, really nasty. It’s the dark side of the moon. We are talking about gods and engineers. Engineers of space. And were the aliens designed as a form of biological warfare? Or biology that would go in and clean up a planet?"


Deadline reports that Damon Lindelof (Lost, Star Trek 2, Cowboys & Aliens) is joining the project by doing rewrites on the existing scripts.

Blog Archive