Ridley Scott’s original “Alien” defined an entire sub-genre and became an instant classic that is still appreciated and adored a full 45 years later. His 2012 return to that universe though with “Prometheus” was far less well received. Excitement for “Prometheus” was palpable prior to release with strong trailers, a great cast and more.
Then came the film itself which proved divisive as hell – some adoring it, some loathing it. Playing out like a very loose adaptation of Lovecraft’s “At the Mountains of Madness”, the ambitious title trod its own path and in doing so it was widely seen as a misfire despite praise for its production values. Scott himself, out promoting “Gladiator II” this week, spoke with and doesn’t have kind words to say about the film on reflection: “I sat down with the great writer [Damon] Lindelof, and we reconstructed a resurrection of the era, with ‘Prometheus,’ and how it evolved from ‘Alien’.
But we were asleep at the wheel. My advisors, who frankly no longer are with me, were asleep at the wheel, certainly. And I partly blame myself, except I was busy making other films.
And so it was let go and it shouldn’t have been. When you resurrect, you better put your nail into the wall.” Despite the reviews, “Prometheus” still managed to gross $403 million worldwide from a $120 million budget.
Not a major hit, but enough to lead to a more cost-effective 2017 sequel “Alien: Covenant”. That more conventional foll.