Although Prometheus didn’t manage to steer the Alien franchise towards a fresh chapter, its impact might have been more enduring if it had distanced itself from the Alien series. After the underperformance of Alien: Resurrection and the letdown of the Alien vs. Predator films, there were fears that the Alien franchise was on the verge of extinction. However, fan enthusiasm was rekindled when it was revealed that Ridley Scott, the original director who kicked off the series with 1979’s Alien, would be back with a new film titled Prometheus.
At first, it was mentioned that Prometheus wouldn‘t be a fresh Alien film, but rather a production set in the same universe. However, the actual movie turned out to be more intertwined with the lore than initially suggested. Nevertheless, the somewhat polarizing reception of Prometheus paved the way for the even more contentious Alien: Covenant, which concluded Ridley Scott’s new take on the genre. However, the sci-fi narrative might have been more effective if it hadn’t aimed to be an Alien film.
The Weakest Part Of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus Is Its Connection To Alien
Prometheus’s Exciting Sci-Fi Ideas Were Hampered By Its Franchise Necessities
As a die-hard fan of Ridley Scott’s cinematic universe, I was thrilled at the prospect of his return to the Alien franchise with Prometheus. Yet, I found myself bewildered as the film seemed to lose its footing when it delved too deeply into Alien lore. There are many who argue in defense of Prometheus, and rightly so, as it offers a thought-provoking sci-fi journey brimming with grand ideas. Nevertheless, these ideas are often overshadowed by the film’s relentless attempts to tie in with the Alien films that preceded it.
The film explores the captivating tale of a band of humans venturing into the expanse of space following clues about the creators of humanity. Yet, this narrative shifts towards uncovering the origins of the xenomorphs. Regrettably, Prometheus attempts to delve into questions that many fans didn’t ponder regarding these lethal extraterrestrial creatures, simultaneously forfeiting much of the intrigue that initially made them iconic movie antagonists.
It’s not surprising that Ridley Scott, who created both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, grew weary of the alien-related aspects of the franchise. After the release of Alien: Covenant, Scott expressed in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter that these new films aim to revitalize the series because he believes, “The monster has almost reached its limit, personally.
As a diehard fan, I can’t help but feel that Ridley Scott was somewhat off base in his initial views about revisiting the Alien franchise. However, the triumph of Alien: Romulus seems to contradict this notion. Yet, it’s clear that Scott wasn’t overly invested in revisiting this part of the universe. This is why Prometheus feels like a captivating standalone sci-fi tale, burdened with the unwarranted expectation of being an Alien movie. Unfortunately, this dual identity left fans of the Alien series disappointed while the original concepts fell flat on their takeoff.
Prometheus Could’ve Been The Start Of A Whole New Sci-Fi Franchise
Ridley Scott Clearly Wanted To Deal With Themes Beyond The Alien Movies
Beneath the cluttered and heavy alien elements of ‘Prometheus’, a captivating original science fiction tale is concealed, struggling to emerge amidst the obligatory franchise requirements. This film grapples with grand themes such as humanity’s perpetual quest for understanding our role in the cosmos and the pursuit of immortality. It skillfully employs these timeless concepts within the sci-fi realm to delve into the chilling repercussions and potential answers that could arise when humans confront their creators.
The movie, Prometheus, struggles a bit when it comes to portraying the xenomorphs, but the Engineers serve as truly terrifying cinematic monsters due to their shocking revelation that they are our creators, and yet they harbor no affection for their offspring whatsoever. The intriguing concept of such contradictory ideas is contrasted with the character of David (played by Michael Fassbender), arguably one of the most nuanced characters in the Alien series.
In the films Prometheus and Alien Covenant, we encounter an android named David who embarks on the mission. As these movies unfold, David proves increasingly intriguing as his character takes a darker turn. The Engineers are beings who seem indifferent to their creations, but David, being a creation himself, starts to perceive that he surpasses his maker in value. This concept of an artificial intelligence challenging its creators is thought-provoking within the realm of science fiction, regardless of whether or not it involves xenomorphs.
If Ridley Scott had crafted an entirely new sci-fi tale using these intriguing elements, I firmly believe that film would’ve stood on its own merit and likely resonated more effectively with audiences. After all, it would have been a fresh creation, untethered by the need to adhere to an existing narrative or meet the expectations of devoted fans.
If It Wasn’t An Alien Movie, Prometheus Would’ve Had At Least 2 Sequels By Now
Prometheus And Alien: Covenant Were Only Failures In The Context Of The Franchise
The narrative initiated by Prometheus didn’t get fully resolved following the letdown of Alien: Covenant. However, Ridley Scott had his best opportunity to present this entire story without referencing the Alien series. Upon its release, Prometheus was a financial hit and received positive reviews, but it sparked a sense of dissatisfaction as it seemed like a less-than-satisfactory revisit to the Alien franchise. The issue lay in its forced link to the Alien films, with many viewers expressing disappointment that it didn’t feel more like an Alien movie.
| Movie | Box Office | Rotten Tomatoes |
|---|---|---|
| Alien (1979) | $204 million | 93% Critics / 94% Audiences |
| Aliens (1986) | $183 million | 94% Critics / 94% Audiences |
| Alien 3 (1992) | $159 million | 44% Critics / 46% Audiences |
| Alien Resurrection (1997) | $161 million | 55% Critics / 39% Audiences |
| Alien vs Predator (2004) | $177 million | 22% Critics / 39% Audiences |
| Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) | $130 million | 12% Critics / 30% Audiences |
| Prometheus (2012) | $403 million | 73% Critics / 68% Audiences |
| Alien: Covenant (2017) | $240 million | 65% Critics / 55% Audiences |
| Alien: Romulus (2024) | $351 million | 80% Critics / 85% Audiences |
As a devoted film enthusiast, it appeared that the creators had listened carefully to the feedback from audiences, as the subsequent film, titled “Alien: Covenant,” seemed to prioritize being a true “Alien” movie. However, with no classic xenomorphs in sight, it was clear that Ridley Scott was still hesitant about revisiting that specific storyline again. Consequently, it became another dissatisfying blend of “Alien” film and original concept, neither of which fully developed their potential. Recognizing the need for a fresh start, the franchise embarked on a new path, abandoning the “Prometheus” narrative to pave the way for “Alien: Romulus.
If Prometheus hadn’t been connected to an established franchise and had instead been an independent sci-fi tale, there might not have been as much pressure for Alien: Covenant to meet certain expectations. In this case, it could have been a sequel that delved deeper into the intriguing ideas of the original without feeling obligated to adhere to the Alien mythos. This way, the studio would not have felt such urgency to get the franchise back on course, as Ridley Scott was merely telling a new story from start to finish. Unfortunately, despite its connection to the Alien films, it seems that Prometheus’s narrative may never receive a satisfying resolution.
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2025-05-18 18:09