Ridley Scott considers Prometheus a mistake.

Ridley Scott, listen to me. Prometheus was not a mistake. I do not want to see xenomorphs anymore. And I want to know who are the engineers and if Elizabeth Shaw finally met them and got her answers

I know I'm the minority here, but I don't think the beast is cooked at all. I also really didn't like Prometheus at all either, so this change in direction doesn't bother me.

First thing, the title of this post is slightly misleading. I saw the title and was under the impression that Ridley outright stated recently that Prometheus was a mistake. Now I see this is not the case. I have watched all interviews and have yet to see anything indicating that he plans on abandoning the Prometheus concepts and questions completely. 

That said, what I HAVE seen is an indication that from here onward, Ridley intends to ensure that a certain amount of Alien remains in the franchise so that the Prometheus concepts do not once again lose the interest of Alien fans.

That said, I'm a big Prometheus fan and would be royally pissed if Ridley abandoned those concepts in favor of satisfying fanboys. So if you others out there who loved Prometheus really care and don't want Ridley to drop the pursuit of those ideas, then make it known in every place where Fox will likely be pulling numbers. I'm talking IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and Amazon. Do reviews on all those sites and when you give it two stars out of five, make it clear in your comments that it is because the film deviated to far from the deeper ideas and focused too much on the Alien elements.

Ridley IS listening. He indicated this much in two or three interviews. Alien Covenant is proof. Market research means quite a bit to him. Make your thoughts known so he and Fox find them and realize that they are disappointing you. Give them a chance to serve your interests. 

21st century sci-fi fans can be every bit as vicious as Giger's beastie.

We could of had a Giger world laid out, one of horror, mystery and wonder but looks like that is not going to happen. 

I liked PROMETHEUS, and I always will. I don't consider it a 'mistake', but a really great launch-pad for expansive storytelling in more than one direction.

Do not give up Ridley!

It just wasn't what many people expected, I think. I think as time goes on, it will be become either more appreciated, or just remain in the no man's land it inhabits in the fans' mind. It's sort of a shame, coming from someone who enjoyed it for what it is and have to come to undertsand that Sir Ridley really gave us a think piece. I do love his stance on the fans' reactions though. He knows it is about a balance. Some fan service/leaning towards what is demanded, but maintaining his vision, wants, and the story's needs. Also, one more week until U.S. release, wooo!

QueenElizabethShaw

QUOTE

That said, I'm a big Prometheus fan and would be royally pissed if Ridley abandoned those concepts in favor of satisfying fanboys. So if you others out there who loved Prometheus really care and don't want Ridley to drop the pursuit of those ideas, then make it known in every place where Fox will likely be pulling numbers. I'm talking IMDB, Rotten Tomatoes, and Amazon. Do reviews on all those sites and when you give it two stars out of five, make it clear in your comments that it is because the film deviated to far from the deeper ideas and focused too much on the Alien elements.

Ridley IS listening. He indicated this much in two or three interviews. Alien Covenant is proof. Market research means quite a bit to him. Make your thoughts known so he and Fox find them and realize that they are disappointing you. Give them a chance to serve your interests. 

END OF QUOTE

GREAT post, GOOD advice and I for one will do so!!

As I have just returned from the cinema and my spoiler gloves are off I can see exactly why Ridley would make the points he has because the conceptual follow through from Prometheus is reduced to a mixture of plot points and texture the big issues surrounding Paradise are just not dealt with.  

It is also interesting to note that having set up two key questions in the crossing he does not deal with either.

I would describe the film as a routine thriller with twists set in space. It is not particularly scary and actually believe his original assessment that the beast is cooked is correct.

In more general terms it starts well with some surprising twists and a nice adult pace but curiously enough its the core of the films story what I will call "the revelations of David" which seem emotionally underwhelming. I think that because I cannot make sense of the David/Shaw arc, which is part of a wider issue that for me David is actually so tricky I reach the point where he is no longer interesting. I do not get any conflict in his behaviour just random and nihilistic. His unpredictability becomes predictable his lack of any behavioural compass boring (OK behave like that I am just not interested anymore). Once of course the lifecycle is up and running it is terribly routine and echoey. I expected to have a good deal to say about the film, particularly thematically, but frankly its by the number creationism over and out.

The mutagen is as we know an ALIEN pathogen and the rest you can guess.

He should rather look at all the reactions Prometheus made and see all the engagement it made among the aliens fans when they had no idea what could happen next and from then know his direction was brilliant, now it seems he just made another alien/bug hunt movie, but a good one that is, but there is still hope in the next one.

I like Ridley, but I'm annoyed with him. Real directors don't bend to the will of whiny nerdy fanboys (and girls).  Same as many musicians out there who make the music THEY like, and not what they think their fans would like and/or deserve.  A true artist should stubbornly stick to their own vision, and never give up.  I haven't seen Covenant yet (doesn't release until the 18th), but Prometheus 2 would have been better than what seems to be (on the surface) another generic Alien movie.  I love the Xeno but not sure I want to see the same action sequences over and over for at least another 2 movies after AC.  The mythology and philosophy of Prometheus were the most appealing parts of that movie to me (I couldn't give a F about the Deacon reveal and Cuddles, etc) and I am concerned that those questions raised will never be answers or at least explored further, and that is hugely disappointing.  I can't stand not having closure in a movie, even if it that isn't until several sequels down the line.  Once again, it's a shame a few fanboys and fan girls had to ruin the direction this franchise took just because they couldn't understand Prometheus and were  frustrated with everything not being fully explained to them right away.

This truly broke my heart. I LOVE Prometheus! It is deep, grandiose, mythic, expansive and most definitely thought-provoking. It expanded the Alien Universe into one of depth, lore and its own mythology. I was so intrigued with the topics being explored.

  I also love Noomi Rapace and her character Elizabeth Shaw was whose journey I really wanted to follow. She was pursuing the greatest mystery of all.

  Aliens is a cool movie and I do like it but it's very overrated. It's an action movie in space. Explosions and bullets. No grand ideas or groundbreaking filmmaking. What people refer to as a popcorn movie.

  Please return to the grander, deeper picture that Prometheus began to paint Ridley!!

Agreed, Prometheus opened up so many possibilities and new directions for storytelling in the Alienverse. There was so much intrigue as to where RS was going with it. Ill take yours suggestion on-board  QueenElizabethShaw  

Personally, I didn't care for the Alien sequels, nor the AVP films.

There were intriguing and admirable perspectives of the Xenomorph, but the franchise didn't maintain Ridley Scott's atmosphere integrity.

Admittedly, I was disappointed by the crew of Prometheus.

A biologist that interacts with an alien lifeform without caution ...

A geologist that gets lost returning to the ship ...

And in addition to the lack of humility and competence on the part of Prometheus' academic crew ... is a hostile alien planet really the ideal time for sexual relationships?

Otherwise, Prometheus was an ideal catalyst to delve into the details of our genetic heritage, and to elaborate on the story behind the original films 'Space Jockey'.

I don't believe that the prequel series need be an issue of focusing on the Engineers 'or' the Xenomorphs. Both are significant foundations to the Alien storyline, and from what I've seen from the trailers, it looks as though Covenant will develop both aspects more thoroughly.

I trust that Ridley Scott's intentions are of a greater scale than a single movie's appeal. I feel that most responses to Prometheus were impatient. Give the series time to develop and evolve. I anticipate that both the Xenomorph and Engineer enthusiasts will find satisfaction in the complete series of films, and provide a fresh perspective of the '79 classic.

What's most intriguing about the new films is the significance of Michael Fassbender's A.I. interpretations of humanity and our engineers. David is undoubtedly the fulcrum from which the fate of each species will evolve or be destroyed.

Frank Herbert would have been terrified of David's potential.

Personally ... I consider David an enduring anti hero that will shape the future of Alien films to come. 

Prometheus was as every bit as powerful as the first Alien movie. It added a lot of new information and mystery into the Alien franchise. In terms of movies being discussed online, Prometheus is huge and maybe the biggest ever. 

The movie itself was crammed packed with new stuff. 

A mistake? No way in hell(if it exists). 

I believe the movie was made for Alien fans and not just the general public.

Prometheus is one of my all time faves. It'll be hailed as a classic in time IMHO..I honestly loved that movie so much. The ideas in that movie are so superb..Hopefully Alien: Covenant can match it..

I think there CAN be a balance. I think Alien Covenant tried rocky do that, but the fans dictated and the Prometheus bits were left on the cutting room floor. I think there can be a balance of having the big questions answered. They've just got to find that balance of horror and deep questions. Maybe it's time to put the classic Xeno to rest. He's run his course, done his work, now let newer, scarier beasts, like the Neomorph and Deacon shine. They have deeper connections to the engineer storyline anyway. Have the deep questions be answered with the Engineers present, then BOOM! Deacon outbreak. Find the balance. Keep the franchise fresh. 

I just got back from seeing Covenant and I'm really disappointed. I really loved Prometheus, it felt new and exciting but they have completely removed every trace of this in Covenant. 

The fans wanted a standard Alien bloodbath and that's what Ridley gave them. 

It definitely feels like we are dumbing down cinema. I often wonder if people would have liked Alien if it had been released today or whether they'd complain it was "slow" or "there was not enough action". 

OK if Alien is more important for Ridley why he do not anything for when Fox release AVP and AVPR... Why he make choice after a long time to return to Alien franchise... I think he want to pass Aliens massive success. But when he re-cut Alien in 2003 is something gone wrong. Because is not straight as theatrical cut, and people also shown added some wall cocoon scenes in Aliens before.

Prometheus is really a fresh start. But something gone wrong with it. Not had a good story or film edit. Also in end everybody has thinked at now xeno is came out but a sweaty Deacon is said Hello.

Probably he will never nominee a Oscar as direction again, i think and he want to take control for Alien franchise and will make a differ scale of other Alien movies. It will be divide as Ridley's alien movies and others...

Whatever i will see Covenant in May 14th.

I really believe and excited in question and Engineers story in Prometheus. I think is a different movie. But it gave a lot of story hole and unanswered questions... And i do not understand why xeno's life cycle is change...

I said before, and will say again; for me Aliens (special edition) and Alien (theatrical version) is best Alien movies. And will stay as. If anybody want to make a good alien movie, ok why do not make it? Technology is fresh, new actors is fresh... You need just a good story and film edit. Not a good ego.

Hi folks,

I seen Alien Covenant on May 14th, in Istanbul.

I had zero expectations and i got negative review.

I will write a review soon.

I want to thanks for all fans who care and contribute to more idea about alien universe, and forum members. I learnt more from you. From December to May, i had a lot chat, entry reading and my opinions. 

So please see before Alien Covenant two prologue videos -crew introducing and david w/ dr shaw-  cos they are not including in movie. 

Had a enjoy!

(15-May-2017)

Some of us haf thought as much over the last 5 years.

The problem I mainly have with the Xeno is that it's predictable. We know everything about it now. The Neomorphs and Deacons, those are far more intriguing.

I agree that the neomorphs and deacons are more intriguing ... and potentially more frightening. The Xenomorphs familiarity and scale similarity to humans is less disturbing than being pursued by physically deformed children ... intent on eating your face.

I am most looking forward to visually touring David's laboratory. Hopefully, the 'Art of Alien Covenant' will further elaborate on the diabolical experiments of the film's intellectual monster.

"Look on my works, ye mighty ... and despair"

I will have to be careful with my replies out of respect to those who have not seen Alien Covenant, but i will cover Prometheus a bit in my next post.... but first..

"Ridley Scott, listen to me. Prometheus was not a mistake. I do not want to see xenomorphs anymore."

Unfortunately we will be seeing many more Xenomorphs, it appears Ridley and Fox feel this is what the Franchise lacks and whats needed.  The Fans Reaction to Prometheus was not as good as they hoped, because its not about the acting or silly things, the KEY Problem that seems to have changed FOX mind... is Prometheus did not give us any Alien Creatures to Satisfy the Fans... Fifield was not Alieny enough...  and the Deacon we only saw a glimpse of... 

I WILL HAVE TO FINISH..... My Prometheus Re-write i am sure its the Movie Prometheus should have been...    Ultimately FOX have gauged Fans disappointment at not seeing Aliens and Eggs, and also not getting the answers... and looking at peoples reaction to Spaights Draft which had these... and the Anticipation for Blomkamps Alien 5.... is what lead to Alien Covenant.

"NEVER try to please the audience, that's what I say atleast, they don't know what they want anyway."

Fans know what they want.... but no TWO Fans always want the same, so the point you make is Valid.... Unfortunately Fanbase is Split into these sections.

1) Casual Movie fans.... fans like you Mother or Auntie Dot, the Paper Boy etc... well just say 75% of Fans who go to Cinema or Rent a Movie.  These guys will not get Prometheus, but they will get Alien Covenant because its got Aliens and Action and Gore.

2) Casual Sci-Fi Fans... Fans who love Sci-Fi movies, these guys will be a mixed bunch... some would get or like Prometheus themes, some may find some Plot Holes..

3) Casual Alien Fans... those who like movies with Aliens and Action, be it any Aliens movies included Alien Resurrection and to a degree AVP movies.. and all the Games. Basically if its got Eggs and Aliens, and Action and maybe Queens they like it... These guys will really like Alien Covenant, certainly as much as any other movie maybe not as much as they like ALIENS

Then you are left with those who enjoyed Prometheus to the point they look forwards to the things it was trying to explore... and then we also have the ALIEN fans who love Alien but do not like the other Movies...  Sadly these Guys take up the lower % of Fanbase who potentially will go and see Movies, and so FOX is catering for the other 3 Factions above...

so FOX has to cater for what it thinks will make the most $$$$$

"I mean Force Awakens is the most disapointing SW film I've seen so far"

This movie did split some fans... some fans enjoyed it because of the Nostalgia, but take away the Stars Wars Cast (R.I.P Carrie Fisher) it would be a bit lacking... agreed..  Not as bad as Phantom Menace but again Force Awakens and Phantom Menace had elements that made them good, but then elements that let them down which effected the movies in General...  Alien Covenant has the same affect on me. 

"I like Ridley, but I'm annoyed with him. Real directors don't bend to the will of whiny nerdy fanboys (and girls)."

I kind of covered this in my previous post.... if they visit sites like this and AVPGalaxy then they will find (more so on here) that not all fans disliked Prometheus... but most of them on these sites wish it had more answers and Xeno-ish Monsters... FOX also is aware of this, and the wider public (away from here and AVPGalaxy) may not have even understood where Prometheus was going in relation to Alien, and Blomkamps Alien 5 was getting a lot of Interest and so they (FOX) feel the Alien is what sells the Franchise.

"A biologist that interacts with an alien lifeform without caution"

AND

"is a hostile alien planet really the ideal time for sexual relationships?"

Both of these problems make a appearance in AC...

In regards to Prometheus it was a bit dumb the whole Space Cobra Petting... the other drafts had a better explanation... However Miss Vickers Picked the Crew maybe for a Agenda, and Milburn is not Captain Material and has not seen these Aliens do any killing or aware of any infections.... thats all i will say on that ;)

Shaw and Holloway, thought all the Engineers was dead, and they left when the Urns was leaking... they would not have known they was in immediate Danger at the point when Holloway and Shaw got it on....

I'm disappointed with Ridley's comments as they are presented here. Surely many people disliked Prometheus because "it didn't have Aliens" but I think most real fans didn't like some plot points (or plot holes if you will) along with the many questions and untied ends it left, not just the lack of Aliens. The different script drafts might have played a role here. If Ridley's attitude was "if they want aliens, I'll give them aliens" it was somewhat immature in my humble opinion. Frankly, if you want to appease people who just want "aliens" without much care about the story they can watch the AvP movies. "Alien" and Ridley should be more about the atmosphere the film creates, the unique visuals (with Giger's design being paramount) and establishing a solid background to the story.

Personally I liked the introduction of the Engineers in Prometheus and wish to see more of them. Hopefully we will them in a future film but alas I think this will not be the case. I would also like to see plausible explanations or answers to some of the questions posed in Prometheus as well as the creation and evolution of all the creatures (humans, proto/neo/xeno/ovo morphs), Engineers, etc.).

Ridley Scott does seem to indicate in hindsight they made some mistakes with Prometheus...  The whole concept of Prometheus as far as a Prequel was to Answer....

1) Who was the Space Jockey (its Race) Engineers...it did this in a way that split fans, in a way that opened up and expanded the Franchise, but with a Plot that was so Vast and Bold.. its hard to do justice.. a very tricky thing to cover indeed.

2) What relation did the Egg Cargo have with the Space Jockey... The movie did answer this just not in a direct way that relates to the next Questions... but it did show these Engineers have been experimenting with the Black Goo as a Bio-Weapon Carried by Similar ships that is connected Genetically to the Xenomorph... just never Spoon Fed. 

3) How did the Derelict get there with those Eggs.. again Prometheus had good clues... but it was never Spoon Fed Explained.  And we never got to see any of those Eggs.

It seemed Prometheus 2 would explore Questions 1+2 plus other Questions that Prometheus left... but sadly this did not seem to please most fans...  and FOX felt maybe they should be bringing the Alien Back into it, and in part answer who created it and why.

Only potentially fans may now have a Answer that they may not be pleased with...

BELOW ... are a few comments i head off people leaving the Cinema Today... wont put ones that give much away.

*Glad its not like Prometheus, the Engineers was silly, but its not as Good as Aliens still.

*Wonder if the sequel will show us the Space Jockey and Ripley.. (like they connect lol).   

*In which a reply was.. yeah wonder if David creates the Space Jockey or if they show it was a Skeleton... 

*Did you like the new Aliens, i prefer the older ones shame they did not just have them in it....  (rather had Xenos and not Neos)

*Looking forwards to the next movie, glad we never got Prometheus stuff, good riddance...  

*someone replied... wonder if thats out after Alien 5

I heard one person say.... "i was hopping to find out what happened after Prometheus, maybe the next movie cover it"

So you see this was the general response i heard... this fits with the notion of fanbase that forced Ridleys Hand, and it appears a higher % of people felt like this.. which means FOX and Ridley have met their target.

Ultimately....

Take the Star Wars Original Cast from Force Awakens, with a new Cast....  and Have the New Storm Troopers look nothing like the Older ones...

And i am sure Force Awakens would have Bombed... well a bit.

Add Classic Xenomorph and Eggs, (at least 2-3) killing say 6-7 (not inc Chest Busters) in Prometheus and not have Engineers be creators of Mankind and just some Alien Race..

Then Prometheus may have fared better.

@Alpharius

Or just make Alien 5 instead of Alien Covenant...  but we have to remember Ridley had invested a lot of time in a Prometheus Sequel... including ideas, and even Production... before they decided to Re-write it into Alien Covenant.

Ridley while half way through a project, that was then re-done... could not just abandon it and then go... OK lets do ALIEN 5 he would have had to get the Draft done.. because there was no exact Draft just a 10 Page Idea... then it Shooting would have to go around Miss Weavers Schedule..

And at the Back of Ridleys mind, he wants to cover a Prequel.. why the Alien was made, how it ended up on LV-426 and Ridley is a big Fan off Fassbender..

And if you ever go back to doing a sequel to Prometheus after you first do a Alien 5, well Age would be against Fassbender... because well he is a Robot and Robots dont age..

So if he has 2 movies as a idea.. that will involve Fassbender, he would rather get these done within 4-5 years first...  and alas this is what we have.. Only they are bringing the Alien back into it... because it will make $$$$$$$

@Alpharius

I will add, that indeed i was looking forwards to more about the Engineers, and i dont want to give to much away.. but indeed once Alien Fans get every bit of information that leads to Alien and why/when and how the Derelict and Eggs got on LV-426

We dont know if any Sequels to Alien... yes Alien (from Ridleys comments) may touch again upon the Derelict, alternative uses for the Xeno DNA and Engineer Tech... i feel Ridley Scott in future will borrow more from Blomkamps Alien 5, than just the Name of that Movie (Alien Awakening)

So if this is the case, Fans would be interested about this Technology... imagine if they Reboot Aliens or do a sequel and Ripley (or other heroine) discover the Derelict and Merge with Engineer Technology...

This could lead fans to be interesting in this Technology.. who created this.. and if the Xenomorph came from those Urns and Stuff...  then maybe they would be open to explore and want to see what else this Black Goo does and then who would create such a thing and why.

Also after Alien Covenant... maybe some fans would go and re-watch or even for the first time go and Watch Prometheus.

Either of these above could one day get fans once they have their Xenomorph Answers and fix of Xeno after Xeno flick.... maybe they would go... What about the Engineers?

I think FOX will certainly see them return in Comics and maybe a Spin off Game... like the AVP Games and if they introduce the Engineers and alternative Xeno creations... this could get fans interested in the Engineers.

IN CLOSING...

Alien Covenant leaves me with a number of Questions, and inconsistencies with regards to what the Hell this Paradise was... and who those beings are..

so much that when you look at Prometheus... it opens up Questions and Points to maybe those Engineers in Prometheus, those beings in Alien Covenant.. are not just restricted to Paradise/Planet 4 and LV-223....   Certainly not from clues i see in Alien Covenant.  That could be Clues, or Plot Holes lol

Ridley Scott's comment that he would like the current film series to evolve into a 'War of the Worlds' , makes an impression that a cataclysmic species conflict is imminent.

I believe that we will see the Engineers return ... and in force.

There is certainly an opportunity for Ridley to divert from the 'Alien' mainstream to focus on the more intriguing potential of where 'Prometheus' implied the sequels would develop.

The Engineers are too important an element of the overall story to be discredited by mass market movie supporters. The Primarchs of mankind will not be denied their vengeance.

"Suffer not the Alien to live"

Ordo Xenos Inquisitor Helbeard

The more I read these comments and think about the subject of the thread the more mournful I feel, and I really feel like AC might disappoint, but not because I am totally expecting Prometheus 2 or anything.  The wait is still killing me though and I still wanna see it ASAP!

Agreeing completely with Michelle Johnston I'm left bored and disappointed with the film, he really did collapse under the pressure.

Could've been so much more, shame really.

I Hate these complainers!!!  Prometheus was a great movie!  Shut up already!!!

@ Jen

There is potential to change and explore some of the elements in future.. it depends where Ridley is taking us... for a lot of us though i feel the Novels are where we have to get answers.

It's sounding like Sir Ridley's lost the mongrel in himself.

But being 80 something it isn't surprising though.

A younger Ridley would have to the Fox execs where to go, that he's making a sequel to Prometheus to explore where the dreadnought came from who the space jockey was, and why the engineers hated humans. If the audience didn't like his vision then he'd be making the film for his own amusement!

All of course spoken through a barrage of four letter verbs. 

I think the real problem is the Fox execs are running roughshod over him, and he's resigned himself as being too old and tired to use the mongrel in himself to fight back and to make the movie he as a director wanted.

Meaning those who want the xeno get the xeno, those who want the greater vision don't, and that's the shame of it.

Reading these comments, it is obvious again, you can't please everyone. 

I dont think we can 100% Blame Ridley though...

If FOX wanted to change the direction and Ridley wanted to explore alternative uses of the Black Goo, and says look i will tease at the end how the Alien could have been created... but i want to save the Eggs and Xenomorph for the next movie.

And FOX said nope... we want them in this movie...  If Ridley said well nope i am not doing it...

FOX could just as easy go and get someone else to do it i guess.

I do however Question the Direction they have taken.... but i will leave these thoughts until the movie hits the USA for a few days.

It just sucks that Prometheus left these big questions at the end. Shaw and David traveling to Paradise to seek answers and knowledge. Problem is that David wiped out the Engineers/Humanoids and Shaw is dead. Basically just skipping this part and moving to the Alien. 

I love books but this should have been included in the film.