Filming for the sequel to the 2012 science-fiction thriller “Prometheus 2” is now underway and all eyes are on the critically-acclaimed writer, director, and producer Ridley Scott, who happens to be helming the movie officially titled “Alien: Covenant.”
A recent behind-the-scene photo of “Alien: Covenant” was posted on the official Alien Facebook page and the image showed not the Xenomorphs or any of the stars of the show but Director Ridley Scott, regarded by fans and critics as an immortal filmmaker.
Scott’s connection with the franchise is very well-established. He directed the first “Alien” movie starring Sigourney Weaver that was released in 1979. He then came back in 2012 to direct “Prometheus,” details Slash Film.
The director’s career has been full of hits and misses, with the misses coming occasionally, given the volume of movies he has helmed over several decades. Scott obviously had his fair share of masterpieces and fans are optimistic that “Prometheus 2” or “Alien: Covenant” can be his next addition to his success list.
According to sources close to the director, Ridley Scott wants to helm another absolute winner in “Alien: Covenant,” especially coming on the heels of the financial and critical success of “The Martian” shown last year.
Reports have it that “The Martian” is actually one of the best all-time great films in Scott’s filmography.
David 8 is whole again
The first batch of pictures about “Alien: Covenant” went online last month and it revealed a dark and dystopian setting for the movie including some creepy ashy beings.
The Alien Anthology Twitter account also posted a photo showing David 8, the synthetic android, being whole again. The android is being played by actor Michael Fassbender, who is more popular these days in moviedom for his portrayal of the younger Magneto in the latest “X-Men” trilogy films, reports Screen Rant.
In “Prometheus,” David 8 parted with his head which seems to have been corrected in the upcoming film.
The synthetic David 8 represents the eighth generation of cybernetic being or artificial persons from the menacing Weyland Industries. The first synthetics were hulking robots used mainly for police and private security purposes. David 8, like the later models, were meant for advance purposes and look human in appearance.
David 8 appears almost human and actually has a revolutionary 99% emotional sensitivity level built in his program. He became an invaluable help to Elizabeth Shaw, played by Noomi Rapace, in her escape from the site and the Engineer, where he actually lose his head during the pivotal scene near the end of “Prometheus.”
Push forward playdate
From an October 6, 2017 playdate, “Alien: Covenant” will be releasing on August 4, 2017, which is a two-month push forward from its earlier release date.
With only actor Michael Fassbender returning to reprise his role as the synthetic android David 8 from “Prometheus,” “Alien: Covenant” shall have a revamp casting.
Fassbender shall reportedly be joined by a stellar cast including “The Disappearance of Eleanor Rigby: Her” actress Katherine Waterston, who will play the role of Daniels in the film.
Other members include Danny McBride, Demian Bichir, Jussie Smollett of “Empire,” Amy Seimetz, Carmen Ejogo, Callie Hernandez, Billy Crudup, Alexander England, and newcomer Benjamin Rigby.
The new casting already confirmed previous reports that actress Noomi Rapace, who plays Elizabeth Shaw in “Prometheus,” shall no longer be returning in the sequel.
It can be recalled that at the end of “Prometheus,” Elizabeth Shaw and David 8 took off to the Engineers’ home planet in order for them to find answers to what the Engineers were planning.
Back in the previous movie, the Engineers built a temple as a shrine to the Xenomorphs but it was meant as a cover because they were harboring a deadly DNA weapon that was on course to Earth.
Apparently, the Engineers were planning to destroy Earth as early as 2,000 years ago and it was what Shaw was trying to find out.