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 current/coming • contents • what's new • store • about PROMETHEUS (2012)
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Release Date: June 8, 2012 (3D/2D, IMAX)
Studio: 20th Century Fox Director: Ridley Scott Screenwriter: Damon Lindelof, Jon Spaihts, Ridley Scott Starring: Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron Genre: Sci-Fi MPAA Rating: R **** CAST INFO Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw: An archaeologist. Rapace described Shaw as a believer "in God" with a "very strong faith", but that "things happen and she changes into more of a warrior." To aid her method acting she developed a complete backstory for Shaw in her head, and worked with a dialect coach to help achieve an appropriate British accent, she also had her make-up artist apply extra blood and sweat during filming to more accurately portray her character. Rapace noted, "I was out there filming for about six months and it was super-intense, my body was in so much pain sometimes but it was absolutely amazing." She has dismissed comparisons to the Alien franchise's Ellen Ripley. Coming to director Ridley Scott's attention for her performance as Lisbeth Salander in the 2009 drama film The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo, Rapace met him in August 2010, and by January 2011 she had secured the role. Actresses Anne Hathaway, Natalie Portman, Gemma Arterton, Carey Mulligan, and Abbie Cornish, were all considered for the role during development. Eight-year-old actress Lucy Hutchinson portrays Shaw as a child. Michael Fassbender as David: An android designed to be indistinguishable from humans. The ship's butler and maintenance man, it begins to develop "its own ego, insecurities, jealousy and envy". Fassbender stated: "David's views on the human crew are somewhat child-like. He is jealous and arrogant because he realizes that his knowledge is all-encompassing and therefore he is superior to the humans. David wants to be acknowledged and praised for his brilliance". Writer Damon Lindelof stated that the character provides a non-human perspective on the film's events, saying "what does the movie look like from the robot's point of view? If you were to ask him, 'What do you think about all of this? What's going on? What do you think about these humans who are around you?' Wouldn't it be cool if we found a way for that robot to answer those questions?" In developing his character, Fassbender avoided watching the android characters of Alien and Aliens (1986) respectively, and instead observed those in Scott's 1982 science fiction film Blade Runner. He drew further inspiration from the "funny walk and economy of movement" of Olympic diver Greg Louganis, and the performances of; David Bowie in The Man Who Fell to Earth, Dirk Bogarde in The Servant, and Peter O'Toole in Lawrence of Arabia. David's blond hair was modeled after T. E. Lawrence. Scott favored Fassbender for the role, by January 2011 he was confirmed to join the cast, despite earlier reports his agents had sought too high a fee for their client. Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland: The multibillionaire founder and CEO of Weyland Corp. Lindelof described him as having a massive ego and suffering from a god complex. Pearce has claimed that his appearance in the movie is brief, saying "I'm only [in the film] for a minute". Idris Elba as Janek: The captain of the Prometheus. Elba described the character as "a longshoreman and a sailor", with a military background. He noted "[being the captain is] his life and the crew is his responsibility," and said "he's a realistic, pragmatic character. He has to get involved. . . in a film with huge ideas, you need a character like this, who can go 'Wait. . . why are we doing this?'". All of Elba's scenes were filmed on the Prometheus ship set. Logan Marshall-Green as Charlie Holloway: An archeologist and Shaw's love interest. Marshall-Green was cast after being seen performing on stage "off-off-off Broadway". He described Holloway as the "X Games type scientist", explaining that he liked the character's "leap-before-looking" philosophy. He further noted that Holloway "doesn't want to meet his maker. He wants to stand next to his maker. He's willing to go to the edge to get that." Describing the character's motivation, he stated: "he goes to the extreme in everything he does, sometimes for the better, sometimes for the worse of the [Prometheus crew]. I think what drives him is the thrill of the search." He contrasted Holloway to Shaw, saying "she’s the believer. I’m the scientist. I’m the skeptic. I’m the atheist". Charlize Theron as Meredith Vickers: A Weyland Corporation employee, sent to monitor the expediton. Theron described the character as "a suit who slowly sheds [her] skin through the film", and also as "somewhat of a villain . . . [who] definitely has an agenda". She stated "Vickers is pragmatic, and desperately wants to control the situation." Scott wanted the character to lurk in the background of scenes watching other characters instead of being the focus. Theron stated that it helped layer her character because "you're just so suspicious of her, instantly." After being cast, she, Scott and Lindelof developed three new scenes to expand her character. Physical action scenes were an issue for Theron because of scenes that involved her running through sand in 30 pounds (14 kg) boots, and her cigarette habit. Theron was intended to portray Shaw, but a prior commitment to Mad Max 4: Fury Road prevented her involvement. When that film was delayed, she was able to rejoin Prometheus. Michelle Yeoh and Angelina Jolie were considered for the role. Rafe Spall as Milburn: A botanist. Spall auditioned for another role, but Scott wanted him to play Milburn. On his casting, Spall said "Alien is one of the best films ever made, and it’s a real buzz to be in a space suit on an 'Alien' set with Ridley Scott coming and speaking to you. It’s incredible. That’s why I wanted to be an actor, to be in a space suit on an 'Alien' set". Sean Harris as Fifield: A geologist who has become unstable after many missions. Harris described the character as "someone who can sense when things are up. He's your audience guy, going, 'Don't go in that tunnel. We should not be doing this!'". Fifield's bright red mohawk hairstyle was designed by Harris and Scott, based on Scott's sketch of a man with a "severe haircut". Cast (in credits order) Noomi Rapace ... Elizabeth Shaw Michael Fassbender ... David Charlize Theron ... Meredith Vickers Idris Elba ... Janek Guy Pearce ... Peter Weyland Logan Marshall-Green ... Charlie Holloway Sean Harris ... Fifield Rafe Spall ... Millburn Emun Elliott ... Chance Benedict Wong ... Ravel Kate Dickie ... Ford Patrick Wilson ... Shaw's Father Lucy Hutchinson ... Young Shaw -- |
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Studio photos, notes and videos © 2012 20th Century Fox |
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