Too bad it’s not so easy to pin the worst aspects of Prometheus on Damon Lindelof without granting that many of its best aspects are likely his handiwork as well. A gorgeous film engaging big, interesting ideas, Ridley Scott’s scifi film is nearly brought to its knees by some of the most profoundly dumb plotting choices in any film this year. It’s a universe I think many are interested in seeing more from, but not at the cost of suffering through more supposed-scientist-petting-the-clearly-vicious-vagina-snake moments.
Still, it’s with some disappointment that I report Damon Lindelof has explicitly confirmed that he will not be writing a Prometheus sequel, and likely won’t be involved in any capacity aside from general spitballing of ideas at the start (which has already happened). This comes from Collider, who confirmed what had seemed likely merely because of the writer’s schedule.
So Ridley and I talked about what that other thing might be, and he was excited about doing it. But then I think what ended up happening was that the movie came out, and there was a reaction to the movie. And I got really wrapped up in Trek, and really wrapped up in this movie that I’m producing and writing with Brad Bird. And I have a TV project that I was really passionate about. Ridley and I had a meeting after Prometheus came out where we started talking again about where this journey would go. And in that meeting I said to him, unfortunately, before he could ask me and go through the discomfort of whether he was going to ask me or not… It’s sort of like having a date where you’re letting the other person know, “I’m in another relationship.” So I can’t tell you that he asked me and I said no. But I did communicate to him that I was working on these other things.
If you’re interested in the entirety of his reasoning, feel free to go check out his full answer. Essentially with the other projects going on, he admits that he “can’t do what JJ does” and juggle several projects.
Some will celebrate, but one wonders if a Prometheus sequel will now have the drive to go big with its themes? Will the scale of the ideas shrink as Scott brings on yet another writer and fixates on more gorgeous scifi adventure, now with CGI xenomorphs let loose? Obviously there are other thematically ambitious writers out there besides Lindelof- will one be brought on that can buoy Scott’s spectacle with the big scifi ideas that give these projects their beating heart?
The evil you know or the evil you don’t.
7 comments
Lindelof has awesome ideas, but something gets lost in the shuffle when the wacky/cool idea gets built & trimmed into a story. It’s like he doesn’t get the difference between JJ Abrams’ ‘Mystery Box’ ethos vs. basic, painfully glaring info omission for the sake of hopefully yielding nifty ambiguity. The man seems unable to write without massive plot holes or characters just straight-up dropping character & intelligence to allow a plot development. I loved Lost and Star Trek but those shenanigans were on full display in both.
My opinion may be unfair since the only stuff I didn’t enjoy (and super enjoyed) were written in collaboration with other writers…
Lindelof has awesome ideas? Tell you what, you answer Red Letter Media’s questions at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-x1YuvUQFJ0 and then let’s talk about awesome ideas.
Because it sure looks like there aren’t any in there.
Honestly, I’m glad he won’t be involved. I would’ve loved to see a straight-up adaptation of the original Spaihts script: http://www.filmschoolrejects.com/opinions/the-8-worst-parts-of-prometheus-explained-in-the-original-script-jsarg.php but this is nothing new. I still love the film, but just saying.
So, I take it you stopped reading after “Lindelof has awesome ideas…”? I get it, I loves me some Plinkett. Now, slowly, pull RLM’s dick out of your mouth and reread what you’re trying to reply to.
I was speaking about the man’s body of work, not the movie in question. I was totally not defending Prometheus; it was a disappointing mess of a story that pussyfooted around common sense and Alien lore because fuck you. I was more lamenting that the dude can think of a hook but can’t flesh it out. The guy seems to fundamentally misunderstand what makes a mystery fun.
Spaight’s script was arguably better crafted, but generic as hell. It was a by-the-numbers Alien prequel. Lindelof gave it grander themes. You mustn’t be afraid to dream a little bigger, darling. I find it amusing that everyone quotes the snake petting scene when dissing on the film. If they were paying attention, they would realize the Prometheus was crewed by mercenaries-for-higher. They all had dubious credentials, and doing things by the book wasn’t exactly their forte. To quote Mr Angry Christian Bale, these critics should stop and “THINK for one fucking second”.
*that should read mercenaries-for-hire.
No, you were correct the first time. He was pretty high, remember.
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