Summary
The reveal that Guy Pearce’s Peter Weyland has been on the ship the entire time is a big reveal inPrometheus,but the story drops some clues prior to this reveal. Despite marking Ridley Scott’s long-awaited return to theAlienmovie franchise,Prometheusremains a divisive entry. The film is more of a spinoff than a direct sequel and covers some fascinating themes and concepts, like the relationship between creators and their creations. Unfortunately, some puzzling screenwriting decisions and unlikable characters hurt the final product.
Prometheusalso introducedthe Engineer’s Black Gooand Michael Fassbender’s android David, with both being worthy inclusions to franchise lore. One element of the 2012 film that baffled many was the casting of Guy Pearce as Peter Weyland,the elderly founder of Weyland Corp.Pearce is a fantastic actor by any measure, but casting him as the 101-year Weyland was an odd move, especially considering the lackluster old age make-up employed.
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Alien: Romulus
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Charlize Theron plays Vickers inPrometheus, a Weyland executive who is visibly disinterested in both the missionandits goals. That’s because she is the daughter of Weyland himself, and sees the mission as her father’s desperate last bid to get an extension on life.One ofPrometheus’big reveals is that Weyland has been onboard the ship the whole time in cryosleep, with David set to wake him the moment they discover proof of the Engineers in hopes they can grant him more life.
… the subtext behind Vickers' question is her hope that Weyland died in his sleep and they could just quit and turn back.
The first hint Weyland is on the mission is when Vickers wakes up and immediately inquires if anybody died during the journey. A visibly confused David confirms everybody is just fine, but the subtext behind Vickers' question is her hope that Weyland died in his sleep and they could just quit and turn back. It’s nearly impossible to read her question this way on initial viewing, but the hidden meaning is definitely there.
Ridley Scott originally had performers such as hisBlade Runnerstar Rutger Hauer in mind to play Weyland, but he went with Guy Pearce as the film was once set to feature a dream sequence involving a young Weyland; this scene was later scrapped but Pearce remained in the role.
Prometheus' Medical Pod Was Meant For Weyland
One of the Alien prequel’s biggest mysteries has a very logical answer
Many viewers and critics dingedPrometheusfor its plot holes and logic gaps, such as the character of Millburn (Rafe Spall) trying to pet a clearly dangerous extraterrestrial snake. In the scene where Shaw (Noomi Rapace) attempts to remove an alien embryo from inside of her, her operation is briefly suspended when she learns the medical pod is programmed for male patients only.This male-only medpod was viewed as another logic hole, but the reality is this top of the line unit was reserved for Weyland’s personal useonly, and not intended for the rest of the crew.
What Happened To David After Alien: Covenant
Michael Fassbender’s David 8 became a major villain in the Ridley Scott prequels, but what became of him following 2017’s Alien: Covenant?
When Weyland lands on LV-223 he’s close to death and all too aware his time is short. The pod is there as a precaution and is calibrated to serve his needs.Prometheusdoesn’t spell any of this out, but it’s another hint that the pod is reserved solely for the ship’s biggest VIPand not even his own daughter is allowed to use it. Considering neither Weyland nor his daughter survived the trip, the pod didn’t ultimately help the CEO much.
Prometheus
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Prometheus, released in 2012, is a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. It follows a team of explorers as they uncover clues about humanity’s origins, embarking on a perilous interstellar expedition where they confront formidable challenges to secure the future of mankind.
