A few days ago, a very detailed synopsis supposedly for Ridley Scott‘s triumphant return to the genre of science fiction and possibly the world of the Alien series leaked online. Did we mention that it was very detailed? Even the movie’s ending was given away.
According to Fox Studios, however, the synopsis wasn’t just unofficial, it was also “way off” the mark. And the series should not be considered an Alien prequel, they maintain, though it is set in the same universe. In response they released an official synopsis:
Visionary filmmaker Ridley Scott returns to the genre he helped define, creating an original science fiction epic set in the most dangerous corners of the universe. The film takes a team of scientists and explorers on a thrilling journey that will test their physical and mental limits and strand them on a distant world, where they will discover the answers to our most profound questions and to life’s ultimate mystery.
Which, take it from someone who read the initial spoilery fake synopsis, is just vague enough to not necessarily disprove anything in the fake synopsis. Nor do statements made by Scott himself contradict the fake:
Scott… confirmed that the film’s title is the name of a space ship sent from earth by an all-powerful corporation of the kind familiar to fans of the Alien franchise. The mythical reference – in Greek mythology, Prometheus stole fire from the gods to give to man — is deliberate.
“The (space) journey, metaphorically, is about a challenge to the gods,” Scott said… the film’s storyline, and script by David Lindelof, was partially inspired by the writings of legendary Swiss sci-fi writer Eric van Daniken.
Van Daniken, author of 1968 bestseller Chariot of the Gods, is best known as the first proponent of the so-called ancient astronaut theory, which holds that aliens kick-started civilization on earth. “NASA and the Vatican agree that is almost mathematically impossible that we can be where we are today without there being a little help along the way,” Scott said. “That’s what we’re looking at (in the film), at some of Eric van Daniken’s ideas of how did we humans come about.”
While we’re not sure we’re not so sure that Scott is expressing NASA’s ideas about the origin of life on earth quite in the way they would intend, this sounds pretty interesting.
It also sounds like prequel. Not a direct prequel, but a prequel. Sorry, guys.
(via Blastr and The Hollywood Reporter.)
