Noomi Rapace Says ‘Prometheus 2’ Script In The Works
By eelyajekiM
| @
|
Wednesday, February 27th, 2013 at 6:30 pm
Perhaps one of the most polarizing films of last year was Ridley Scott‘s Prometheus. Some called it a return to the sci-fi horror genre and others called it one of the worst things ever. If it was the latter, part of the blame could be directed towards the screenplay. Regardless, the film made just enough money to garner a sequel, or at least explore the option of one.
Scott is definitely on board to direct one, and it seems that he’s been talking to film star Noomi Rapace about it as well. During a press conference for Dead Man Down, the actress confirmed that she has been talking to the director to discuss Prometheus 2 and what we could possible see in it.
Rapace spoke to The Playlist about the possibility of the sequel:
They’re working on the script. I met Ridley in London a couple of weeks ago. I would love to work with him again and I know that he would like to do another one. It’s just like we need to find the right story. I hope we will.
It always comes down to the story. The issue is that the story was the problem in the first film. It sounded nice on paper, but when stretched out to a full-length film, it was too concerned about the questions and not so much about the story. So hopefully they get it right if a sequel does happen.
She goes on to say:
It’s interesting because people, most people I’ve talked to who see the movie, see things that are quite different. Some people who see the movie many times and discover new things. There are all these religious aspects and there are very interesting conversations. And for me, if we do a second one, there are a lot of things to explore in there and to continue. I would love to do it.
With the way that Prometheus ended, there is definitely room for a sequel, especially for a film that was so polarizing. So what do you think? Should there be a sequel?
Of course there should (and will) be a sequel. A thought provoking sci-fi film from one of the genre masters and people panned it? Maybe they want their genre film spoon fed to them. For me any film that I leave the theatre thinking about, talking about and wanting to see again to catch things I may have missed is a great film. So few of them these days.
I honestly thought it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I thought it was brilliant. I can’t understand the criticism. I think the low IQ haters wanted an Aliens action movie and they’re angry they had to use their pea brains.
Comment by jwhyrock — February 28, 2013 @ 10:12 pm
Prometheus was brilliant. Something to keep in mind is that it received mostly positive reviews from professional critics and film scholars like John Kenneth Muir, only general audiences were polarized. When you juxtapose substantive and thoughtful essays and analyses with the immature and cynical vitriol you begin to see the genius of Lindelof.
I think a central problem with the cynics viewing of the film is that they expected it to be something it was not. It is a narrative film in the very basic sense that it has a narrative that propels the film’s action (which I find to be quite easy to
understand, I’d even go so far as to call its narrative simple, and I’m
confused as to why many thought it so confusing) but it is not a film that relies
on or is focused upon its narrative. The narrative serves more as a means to
the end of exploring the film’s themes and subtext. If you don’t like the kind of film that it is that’s fine and a perfectly legitimate view to hold but it’s not a bad
film because it’s not committed to a single plot-driven narrative.
Some of the greatest films ever made are similar in this regard (and of course
there are also great movies that are very narrative and plot-driven).
Every scene, every shot means something visually, but it will not help you out by all the dialogue or exposition; since many of the characters rely on their own incidental beliefs and assumptions they are never definitive and in some cases they are plain red herrings. The best way to get at it, I’ve found, is to always be asking, “okay, I see this, I heard that — now what does that mean?”
I find any art form of sufficient talent worthy of semiotic analysis, especially
one that was constructed specifically by allegory and symbolism, the very
ingredients that make for a rich thematic subtext, and the film is swimming in
it. There simply isn’t anything quite like it. Case in point;
The more I think about LV-223 being a reference to Leviticus 22:3 :
“In all future generations, if any of your descendants is
ceremonially unclean when he approaches the sacred offerings that the people of
Israel consecrate to the LORD, he must be cut off from my presence. I am the
LORD.”
– the more I’m convinced that the cave painting at the beginning is a
reference to Genesis 3.
There are a cluster of 5 “stars” with the figure pointing at
the central star / planet – no matter how you count it, he is pointing at the
3rd object, and the cave painting is about our genesis.
Genesis 3 being about The Fall Of Man :
“You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the
garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”
– the star / planet is in the middle of the cluster. There is certainly
a Serpent present.
Genesis 1 – 5 are all very pertinent to the themes explored in the film,
though there may simply have been 5 objects so that its obviously the 3rd one
that is singled out.
But that’s my idle speculation, and I think that is actually a positive
result of the film. Many forms of higher art leave room for interpretation by
the patron. Think of many of the sci-fi films we get treated to: how many can
make us marvel at the technological wizardy and then lapse into a theistic
debate? Few can, and I love this effort for that reason.
In fact, even more than my later post, drawing parallels with Blade
Runner, I think it’s easier to understand if you look at the “Holy”
trinity of Peter Weyland, Vickers and David.
Weyland = God.
Vickers = The “Engineers”.
David = Us.
Weyland, all powerful as a businessman, is the father of Vickers, and
the creator of David – but obviously had a father, grandfather etc etc.
Vickers (possibly named after the weapons engineering company), may have
been more directly involved in manufacture / management of David, but has been passed over by him in her fathers affections.
David (despite sharing many character concerns with his namesake in A.I.
is most probably named after Michelangelo’s sculpture), being “male”
is seen as Weyland’s “son” and more accurately in the image of his
maker.
Look at the relationship between Vickers and David – she is not at all
happy taking second place to the artificial son, and is seen to be hostile and
violent towards him – it seems unlikely (though perhaps not impossible and
arguably even more relevant) that she would react this way if she were and
android herself.
In spite of David’s servitude he is always broadly acting along with
“Company” policy established in Alien “Bring back life form.
Priority One. All other priorities rescinded”. Indeed, Weyland’s orders supersede any ethical or moral obligation he may or may not have, but he also wants to be free from Weyland and wants him dead. It’s apparent that he somehow developed emotions and a personality.
David is made to look and behave like us, to make us feel more
comfortable around him.
Look at the giant head in the temple – We look more like that God than
the “Engineers” do.
They see us as an abomination, and an affront to their relationship with
their God – they are jealous that we look more like him than they do, and will
have his favour over them, just as Vickers feels in her relationship with her
father and David.
Extending the “Holy” trinity further outwards, it seems
reasonable to assume that the giant head sculpture in the temple, is based on a being, which must have had a father and a grandfather etc etc.
This would appear to be seen / worshipped as a deity.
The temple features a fresco painting, which whilst bearing a strong
resemblance to Christian Griepenkerl paintings on the Promethean myth, would
seem to suggest a parallel with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco.
That image is famous for the depiction of God bringing Adam to life with
the touch of a finger.
So in another Michelangelo reference, we have David evaluating
Holloway’s commitment to his ideals with his finger at the ready, to bring new
life in to being.
He has moved up the chain, becoming the creator.
And as David himself says “Doesn’t everyone want their parents
dead?”
So the notion of a trinity continues in a generational loop, much in the
same way that the quest for answers is a continual loop (Shaw starts and ends
the movie setting off on a never ending quest, to meet the maker and answer the ultimate questions – when she arrives at her next destination, it will only
lead to more of the same questions). This brings to mind Nietzsche’s eternal
recurrence.
We are all existing in an Escher print…the human quest for truth and
answers in its deepest existential sense is and will be never ending and this
is how the film is paradoxically self-contained and it is quite brilliant
actually. The ending is the conceit. This is why it’s utterly brilliant and I can’t wait for part II.
You may have noticed that we're now AD FREE! Please support Geeks of Doom by using the Amazon Affiliate link above. All of our proceeds from the program go toward maintaining this site.
Students of the Unusual™ comic cover used with permission of 3BoysProductions
The Mercuri Bros.™ comic cover used with permission of Prodigal Son Press
Of course there should (and will) be a sequel. A thought provoking sci-fi film from one of the genre masters and people panned it? Maybe they want their genre film spoon fed to them. For me any film that I leave the theatre thinking about, talking about and wanting to see again to catch things I may have missed is a great film. So few of them these days.
Comment by Harkonen — February 28, 2013 @ 9:29 am
I completely agree. Cannot wait for the Prometheus universe to be explorer further!
Comment by PAUL — February 28, 2013 @ 11:51 am
I honestly thought it was one of the best movies I’ve ever seen. I thought it was brilliant. I can’t understand the criticism. I think the low IQ haters wanted an Aliens action movie and they’re angry they had to use their pea brains.
Comment by jwhyrock — February 28, 2013 @ 10:12 pm
Yes, plz!
Comment by Michael Carroll — March 1, 2013 @ 7:00 pm
Prometheus was brilliant. Something to keep in mind is that it received mostly positive reviews from professional critics and film scholars like John Kenneth Muir, only general audiences were polarized. When you juxtapose substantive and thoughtful essays and analyses with the immature and cynical vitriol you begin to see the genius of Lindelof.
I think a central problem with the cynics viewing of the film is that they expected it to be something it was not. It is a narrative film in the very basic sense that it has a narrative that propels the film’s action (which I find to be quite easy to
understand, I’d even go so far as to call its narrative simple, and I’m
confused as to why many thought it so confusing) but it is not a film that relies
on or is focused upon its narrative. The narrative serves more as a means to
the end of exploring the film’s themes and subtext. If you don’t like the kind of film that it is that’s fine and a perfectly legitimate view to hold but it’s not a bad
film because it’s not committed to a single plot-driven narrative.
Some of the greatest films ever made are similar in this regard (and of course
there are also great movies that are very narrative and plot-driven).
Every scene, every shot means something visually, but it will not help you out by all the dialogue or exposition; since many of the characters rely on their own incidental beliefs and assumptions they are never definitive and in some cases they are plain red herrings. The best way to get at it, I’ve found, is to always be asking, “okay, I see this, I heard that — now what does that mean?”
I find any art form of sufficient talent worthy of semiotic analysis, especially
one that was constructed specifically by allegory and symbolism, the very
ingredients that make for a rich thematic subtext, and the film is swimming in
it. There simply isn’t anything quite like it. Case in point;
The more I think about LV-223 being a reference to Leviticus 22:3 :
“In all future generations, if any of your descendants is
ceremonially unclean when he approaches the sacred offerings that the people of
Israel consecrate to the LORD, he must be cut off from my presence. I am the
LORD.”
– the more I’m convinced that the cave painting at the beginning is a
reference to Genesis 3.
There are a cluster of 5 “stars” with the figure pointing at
the central star / planet – no matter how you count it, he is pointing at the
3rd object, and the cave painting is about our genesis.
Genesis 3 being about The Fall Of Man :
“You must not eat fruit from the tree that is in the middle of the
garden, and you must not touch it, or you will die.”
– the star / planet is in the middle of the cluster. There is certainly
a Serpent present.
Genesis 1 – 5 are all very pertinent to the themes explored in the film,
though there may simply have been 5 objects so that its obviously the 3rd one
that is singled out.
But that’s my idle speculation, and I think that is actually a positive
result of the film. Many forms of higher art leave room for interpretation by
the patron. Think of many of the sci-fi films we get treated to: how many can
make us marvel at the technological wizardy and then lapse into a theistic
debate? Few can, and I love this effort for that reason.
In fact, even more than my later post, drawing parallels with Blade
Runner, I think it’s easier to understand if you look at the “Holy”
trinity of Peter Weyland, Vickers and David.
Weyland = God.
Vickers = The “Engineers”.
David = Us.
Weyland, all powerful as a businessman, is the father of Vickers, and
the creator of David – but obviously had a father, grandfather etc etc.
Vickers (possibly named after the weapons engineering company), may have
been more directly involved in manufacture / management of David, but has been passed over by him in her fathers affections.
David (despite sharing many character concerns with his namesake in A.I.
is most probably named after Michelangelo’s sculpture), being “male”
is seen as Weyland’s “son” and more accurately in the image of his
maker.
Look at the relationship between Vickers and David – she is not at all
happy taking second place to the artificial son, and is seen to be hostile and
violent towards him – it seems unlikely (though perhaps not impossible and
arguably even more relevant) that she would react this way if she were and
android herself.
In spite of David’s servitude he is always broadly acting along with
“Company” policy established in Alien “Bring back life form.
Priority One. All other priorities rescinded”. Indeed, Weyland’s orders supersede any ethical or moral obligation he may or may not have, but he also wants to be free from Weyland and wants him dead. It’s apparent that he somehow developed emotions and a personality.
David is made to look and behave like us, to make us feel more
comfortable around him.
Look at the giant head in the temple – We look more like that God than
the “Engineers” do.
They see us as an abomination, and an affront to their relationship with
their God – they are jealous that we look more like him than they do, and will
have his favour over them, just as Vickers feels in her relationship with her
father and David.
Extending the “Holy” trinity further outwards, it seems
reasonable to assume that the giant head sculpture in the temple, is based on a being, which must have had a father and a grandfather etc etc.
This would appear to be seen / worshipped as a deity.
The temple features a fresco painting, which whilst bearing a strong
resemblance to Christian Griepenkerl paintings on the Promethean myth, would
seem to suggest a parallel with Michelangelo’s Sistine Chapel fresco.
That image is famous for the depiction of God bringing Adam to life with
the touch of a finger.
So in another Michelangelo reference, we have David evaluating
Holloway’s commitment to his ideals with his finger at the ready, to bring new
life in to being.
He has moved up the chain, becoming the creator.
And as David himself says “Doesn’t everyone want their parents
dead?”
So the notion of a trinity continues in a generational loop, much in the
same way that the quest for answers is a continual loop (Shaw starts and ends
the movie setting off on a never ending quest, to meet the maker and answer the ultimate questions – when she arrives at her next destination, it will only
lead to more of the same questions). This brings to mind Nietzsche’s eternal
recurrence.
We are all existing in an Escher print…the human quest for truth and
answers in its deepest existential sense is and will be never ending and this
is how the film is paradoxically self-contained and it is quite brilliant
actually. The ending is the conceit. This is why it’s utterly brilliant and I can’t wait for part II.
Comment by Peter Vallance — March 2, 2013 @ 1:31 am