Last time we touched on this, Lost co-creator and writer, Damon Lindelof, was hired to re-write the script for Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel. So what’s the status? How does Fox feel about Lindelof’s take?
Vulture is now reporting that Lindelof has turned in his script and that the execs over at 20th Century Fox love it. Part of the reason they like it so much is that it doesn’t add expensive set pieces but remains “creatively engaging”. They’re also happy that that script keeps the project at a PG-13 rating. Finally, this new picture is meant to return the franchise to its roots and is more off a horror-suspense film than an Aliens-style action flick.
However, there’s still going to be a space marine. Hit the jump for more on who Fox wants to play the lead.
Although Ellen Ripley won’t be present, the franchise is still going to have a female protagonist. According to Vulture, Natalie Portman is Fox’s top choice to play the role of a female Colonial Marine general. Portman recently decided not to star in the adaptation of Seth Grahme-Smith’s Pride and Prejudice and Zombies. However, she’s attached to a variety of other projects including Cloud Atlas, Important Artifacts, Best Buds, and possibly The Brothers Grimm: Snow White. The second choice for the role is the previously-reported Noomi Rapace, who starred in the Swedish version of The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo and will make her English-language debut in Sherlock Holmes 2.
Here’s a brief rundown of what else we know about the prequels:
* The plan is to film two prequels, both of which will be shot in 3D.
* The action takes place thirty years prior to the events of the first Alien movie.
* Scott says the film is about “the discussion of terraforming — taking planets and planetoids and balls of earth and trying to terraform, seed them with the possibilities of future life.”
* The prequels will elaborate on how “The Space Jockey” fits into the world of Alien
I’m all for this Ridley Scott prequel. I can’t say enough about Damon Lindelof’s work as a writer mastermind (love Lost!). So I’m not surprised Lindelof delivered big time for Fox. I still think they should go for the R rating. If they don’t, it’s understandable, and I won’t lose sleep. It’s ok. Regarding Portman (love her too!) if they can sign her, they’ll have a great lead for this prequel. Imagine her as a Marine, shave head and all. She’d nail it (oh). But, I don’t think she’ll do this. That’s my hunch. She has other projects in the way. We’ll see what happens…
What do you think about Fox’s reaction to Lindelof’s re-write? Portman as the lead?
