PROMETHEUS pre-release discussion. - Page 4

Pretty good fanfic, I'm glad it's not the real thing. 

Not Inception...

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Originally Posted by Bailey 

Don't forget the mission to find the origins of humanity ends up becoming the origins of humanity.  Fucking ugh.

It's not a Prometheus fanfic, it's the plot of Women of the Prehistoric Planet!

Prometheus Trailer Leak "Heartbreakingly Unfair".

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Originally Posted by felix 

Prometheus Trailer Leak "Heartbreakingly Unfair".

 

 

well, change it's to its... all is good.

Oh please. Get over yourself movie guy. Somalia is heartbreaking. Your movie will be fine.

They stoked anticipation and got a load of free publicity! What more could they ask for? It's always funny when people get mad at the leaking of stuff specifically designed to be seen as much as possible.

Ten bucks says it was Fox behind the leak.  You are right, the publicity has been great for the leak.  Now they are getting even more coverage? 

That thought did cross my mind as well. Creates the impression that the movie is *such* a big deal, and anticipation is so rife, that the world is scrambling to get a glimpse not just of the movie, but of the teaser trailer of the movie! Not bad as a PR stunt.

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Originally Posted by NickP 

Ten bucks says it was Fox behind the leak.  You are right, the publicity has been great for the leak.  Now they are getting even more coverage? 

I've been thinking THAT since the Comic-Con pictures leak...The two trailer 'leaks' have done nothing to counter that.

The same thing was suggested when the teaser for The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo was leaked. I could certainly see Fox following Sony's lead.

I have no sympathy for these clowns. 

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Originally Posted by Joseph P. Brenner 

yeah, it sure is 95% original... LOL.  Sorry, but everything I've seen, including this awesome pic, confirms it is a prequel.  Stoked!!!

How can they keep lying like this?

http://moviesblog.mtv.com/2011/12/01/prometheus-isnt-an-alien-prequel-swears-fox-studio-chief/

Are they saying it takes place AFTER Alien?  If it takes place before Alien, it's a fucking prequel.

You know, it was cute at first, now it's just annoying.  I don't get it, why not embrace that is tied into the first Alien film?  Is it the baggage of the AVP films?  Resurrection?   Does Fox know, that being a prequel doesn't mean it has to be the EXACT SAME FILM.  Maybe it's the Star Wars prequels that are scaring them away from that term?

Rothman's a douche.  To him, a prequel means "Ripley fighting Aliens, then getting shot with a memory erasing bullet".

Oh, and the Hobbit is 95% unto itself as well.

http://www.chud.com/23511/ridley-scotts-alien-prequel-is-a-two-parter/

They went into this knowing it was a prequel.  Then came this:

http://www.chud.com/30658/ridley-scotts-alien-prequel-turns-into-prometheus/

From the new EW pics, the characters are seen in a cavern that is clearly derived from the derelict spaceship from Alien, so this is obviously not some one-off alternate universe thing like Scott is saying.  It obviously takes place in the same universe as Alien.

It's really frustrating trying to figure out what the hell these people are talking about, and I think this is going to hurt them in the long run unless they get really fucking clear about what we have here.  It's one thing to say "it's not a prequel" and then say "it's set after Alien before Aliens", or "it's set after Alien Ressurection", but to be so willfully dismissive like they're doing is almost insulting.

I think they just fell in the love with the "it shares the same DNA!" marketing sound bite and just keep using it.

it is insulting.  Hasn't it been confirmed that the Space Jockeys are the big bads of the film?  Like I said, they either don't understand that a prequel doesn't have to follow the tropes of Wolverine or Star Wars... or they are liars. I don't know which one is worse.

Or MAYBE, they think they are being slick, that  somehow  this denying and DNA talk will get people to stop thinking it's a prequel... only to SUPRISE,  "shock" them when it does lead directly into Alien.  If they could go back in tme, I bet that they would totally remove all the talk about Alien all together and call this a complete 100% standalone film.  They most likely wanted the relation to be a suprise to the audience at the end. 

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Originally Posted by NickP 

it is insulting.  Hasn't it been confirmed that the Space Jockeys are the big bads of the film?  Like I said, they either don't understand that a prequel doesn't have to follow the tropes of Wolverine or Star Wars... or they are liars. I don't know which one is worse.

Also I could've sworn I saw a shot of the space jockey's chair rising from underground in the leaked trailer.

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Originally Posted by NickP 

yeah, it sure is 95% original... LOL.  Sorry, but everything I've seen, including this awesome pic, confirms it is a prequel.  Stoked!!!

I remember reading how terrified the studio was after Alien 3, they couldn't see doing an Alien film without Ripley as the anchor.

Maybe all this non-prequil jive is in the same vein?

Bonus: Dead Space Jockey in the lower right of that still.

Well if they're afraid to call it a prequel because it doesn't have Ripley, it's even more insulting. 

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Originally Posted by Ambler 

Well if they're afraid to call it a prequel because it doesn't have Ripley, it's even more insulting. 

You know, that's the part that has always frustrated me.  The series is called ALIEN, not RIPLEY.  I understand how important her character is, but after Aliens, I wanted something new.  Aliens was a great way to end her story, it felt complete.  From what I think Prometheus is about, that is the story I've wanted since Aliens.  The Space Jockey element is very interesting, while I respect the opinions for people who don't want the mystery shown, I've always wanted to know what they are about. 

That is where I think Fox dropped the ball with the series.  They could have taken this franchise in so many different directions that didn't include Ripley, or the stupid ass Predator.  Could have done stand alone films that explore the universe.  One like Prometheus... maybe one about Weylend Yutani's other "projects"... hell, do one about the Space Marines and such investigating what happened on LV-426 (like the upcoming Alien Colonial Marines game).

Back in the day I seem to remember that there was some order from on-high (ie: Murdoch himself) that there wouldn't be another Alien movie without Ripley/Weaver being involved. I just can't remember if it was before 3 or 4.

Yeah, that really looks like a prone jockey doesn't it. Or a jockey exo-suit at the very least.

Despite the remakequel epidemic there's still a part of me that can't believe this is actually happening...how the fuck did we go from the AvP abortions to Ridley getting seriously down to business with this universe again, with a decent budget too? Did some geek save a magic fish or something?

"Insulting"? Honestly, who gives a shit? I don't get this obsession with trying to 'catch them out' in regards to it being an Alien prequel.

Perhaps they just want to keep the Alien connection as as much of a surprise as they can? If the bulk of the movie isn't actually about the Alien then I don't have a problem with them not pushing it as an Alien movie.

I mean for once in our lives a genre franchise movie is being presented to us in mildly enigmatic, unconventional fashion and all people do is get pissed off about it.

From a marketing standpoint, they definitely don't want to call it an "Alien" film because of the franchise's diminishing returns, both monetary and artistic. And because the focus of the story is not on the xenomorphs and doesn't involve Ripley they feel that they have a right to avoid a direct association. I get it. This isn't "really" an "Alien" film, especially by those standards. But they should give the fans the benefit of the doubt that we understand that and just stop with all the shuck and jive.

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Originally Posted by Paul C 

"Insulting"? Honestly, who gives a shit? I don't get this obsession with trying to 'catch them out' in regards to it being an Alien prequel.

 

Perhaps they just want to keep the Alien connection as as much of a surprise as they can? If the bulk of the movie isn't actually about the Alien then I don't have a problem with them not pushing it as an Alien movie.

 

I mean for once in our lives a genre franchise movie is being presented to us in mildly enigmatic, unconventional fashion and all people do is get pissed off about it.

Well now we're getting confused.  I don't mind if it's not an "alien" movie, meaning it doesn't feature the xenomorph as we've seen it chasing people through corridors and shit.  What Fox and Ridley are essentially saying though is that it has nothing to do with ALIEN, as in the movie itself and the creature featured in it...which is clearly nonsense, as the recent trailer link and stills suggest.  The space jockey was in the trailer, the space jockey harbored the eggs seen in ALIEN that allowed the xenomorph to be birthed.  Even the chamber they're investigating looks like the derelict space craft in ALIEN.  So how is this not a prequel?  Maybe Fox, Ridley and us chewers have different definitions of the word prequel.  All I'm asking is for them to either admit it's a prequel, or stop being so childishly vague.  Does it take place before the events of the first movie or doesn't it?  That's what a prequel is.

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Originally Posted by Paul C 

"Insulting"? Honestly, who gives a shit? I don't get this obsession with trying to 'catch them out' in regards to it being an Alien prequel.

 

Perhaps they just want to keep the Alien connection as as much of a surprise as they can? If the bulk of the movie isn't actually about the Alien then I don't have a problem with them not pushing it as an Alien movie.

 

I mean for once in our lives a genre franchise movie is being presented to us in mildly enigmatic, unconventional fashion and all people do is get pissed off about it.

my beef is, them saying stuff that is clearly a lie.  I would rather have them just smile and say "you will see when it comes out, but there is a reason it's not called Alien"... this "It's not a prequel" crap is just frustrating because either they are lieing, or unaware what that terms means. 

Yeah, I'm with Paul on this one.  It obviously is connected to the Alien universe in some way, which is good enough for me.  Who cares how "wink wink, knudge knudge" they are about it?

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Originally Posted by Teitr Styrr 

Yeah, I'm with Paul on this one.  It obviously is connected to the Alien universe in some way, which is good enough for me.  Who cares how "wink wink, knudge knudge" they are about it?

I only care enough to comment about it.  It's not like I'm up at night sweating bullets with anger.  It's a message board.

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Originally Posted by Joseph P. Brenner 

 

 

What are they examining?...Looks like a fossilised bean-bag chair ...or that alien from 'Dark Star'...

Maybe the DNA is Dan O'Bannon.

If Dark Star's Beachball Alien is in this, I will see it a dozen times.

It look like alien egg though.

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Originally Posted by Paul C 

"Insulting"? Honestly, who gives a shit? I don't get this obsession with trying to 'catch them out' in regards to it being an Alien prequel.

 

Perhaps they just want to keep the Alien connection as as much of a surprise as they can? If the bulk of the movie isn't actually about the Alien then I don't have a problem with them not pushing it as an Alien movie.

 

I mean for once in our lives a genre franchise movie is being presented to us in mildly enigmatic, unconventional fashion and all people do is get pissed off about it.

Seriously.  I don't get what the big deal is.  The movie looks great.  If it's in the same universe as Alien, bonus.  But, really, who cares?

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Originally Posted by Graham 

 

What are they examining?...Looks like a fossilised bean-bag chair ...or that alien from 'Dark Star'...

 

Maybe the DNA is Dan O'Bannon.

 

Is there a body on the right side? Looks like a bigger Xenomorph body.
 

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Originally Posted by Spook 

Seriously.  I don't get what the big deal is.  The movie looks great.  If it's in the same universe as Alien, bonus.  But, really, who cares?

Being an Alien fan it is a HUGE deal.  I've been salivating for a good Alien sequel/prequel/sidequel since Aliens. if this film is a HIT, then we might get more.  That is why I care. 

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Originally Posted by Spook 

Seriously.  I don't get what the big deal is.  The movie looks great.  If it's in the same universe as Alien, bonus.  But, really, who cares?

This is very rare for a studio to be so deceptive on purpose.  It's not even part of some viral campaign, they're just saying "it's not a prequel", when that was the first thing Ridley called it in the beginning...they don't even offer an explanation of this, like; "yeah, we said it was a prequel, but now we've decided it takes place after Alien and before Aliens".  This is interesting to me because it's rare for a studio to do this.  I imagine they'll clear things up after the trailer comes out...they'd better, otherwise the regular folks of the audience wont know how to approach this, and that's bad for business. 

I'm reminded of Paul Thomas Anderson's next film.  In the beginning it was billed as some sort of Scientology origin film.  Then everyone kept saying "it's not about Scientology", BUT...they had a synopsis to go along with it, so you could clearly see what it was ABOUT.  With Prometheus, we don't have this, we don't have a synopsis.  So for them to pull the rug out without offering a cushion makes little sense to me.  They don't even have to give anything away, just a simple "Fifty years before the events of Alien..."

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Originally Posted by Ambler 

This is very rare for a studio to be so deceptive on purpose.

This from the studio that said Alien3 took place on Earth. Hell, I'm just happy this thing has spaceships.

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Originally Posted by Art Decade 

This from the studio that said Alien3 took place on Earth. Hell, I'm just happy this thing has spaceships.

I didn't know that.  At what point were they saying that and when they did they change their story?  If you can remember.

Alien 3 teaser... below

I get the impression that what they're worried about is the semantics of the word 'prequel'. Most people hear the word and immediately think of the Star Wars approach, i.e. a literal first part of the story people already know. They've been trying to come up with a soundbite-friendly alternative and latched on the 'Alien DNA' thing more because it sounds good than for reasons of clarity. I think at the moment they're struggling to find that simple thing that makes it perfectly clear that yes, this has a direct connection with the first Alien but no, it's still a standalone story, but also lets them remain cagey about what happens. Basically, they want to have their cake and eat it and the more they backtrack, the more confused their explanations get.

There's already a perfect term for that.  Expanded Universe.  Just like the Star Wa-okay I may have to rethink this.

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Originally Posted by neoolong 

There's already a perfect term for that.  Expanded Universe.  Just like the Star Wa-okay I may have to rethink this.

Y'see, that's exactly the thing. They can explain what this movie is to us geeks, and we get it because we're familiar with the idea of expanded universes. the mainstream/casual moviegoer? Not so much. I think it's explaining all this to them is what's stumping the studio, and when they try and fall back on 'nudge nudge, wink wink' it just makes things even more muddled.    
 

I can't imagine the mainstream/casual moviegoers actually care enough to need to have it explained to them.

Originally Posted by neoolong 

I can't imagine the mainstream/casual moviegoers actually care enough to need to have it explained to them.

Yeah, actually I was gonna say that I don't think the average viewer even cares that it's called a prequel...it's not the word really.  The Thing prequel was a bad movie, same with the other prequel abortions.  The work should speak for itself...if they have a strong film, I don't see what they're worried about with regard to that word.  The opening weekend will be huge, and the rest should take care of itself.  I find their behavior to be so fucking odd.  If they're aiming to try something different, they're doing a poor job of it.

They're scared of calling it a prequel because the Alien films have a limited audience -- Alien 3 and AVP both adjust to $100m domestically.  Prometheus needs to make much more than that.  That's why Fox is trying to sell it as something totally new.

Didn't stop them from calling their Apes reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

I don't think they care that much either, but from the studio's P.O.V. these people still know the Alien movies and are therefore an audience they don't want to put off. And yeah, they're worrying about nothing but that's marketing paranoia for you.

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Originally Posted by neoolong 

Didn't stop them from calling their Apes reboot Rise of the Planet of the Apes.

Planet of the Apes '01 made a lot of money.  Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem didn't.

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Originally Posted by The Dark Shape 

They're scared of calling it a prequel because the Alien films have a limited audience -- Alien 3 and AVP both adjust to $100m domestically.  Prometheus needs to make much more than that.  That's why Fox is trying to sell it as something totally new.

Well everyone clearly knows its an ALIEN film, I mean people aren't expecting Predator or Gremlins or some shit...there's really no getting around that.  If they wanna sell it as something new, they need to be clear about what that something is.  So far it's just "it's not a prequel"...great marketing there Rothman.