Ridley Scott “Freaking Out” Over PROMETHEUS 2 Story Issues?

20th Century Fox, director Ridley Scott,and writers Damon Lindelof andJon Spaihts set up Prometheusto launch a new trilogy of films that would possibly lead up to the events that took place in Alien on the planet planet LV-426. Prometheus got a lot of mixed reviews, but in the end I really enjoyed the movie and thought it was fun regardless of some of the stupidity of some of the characters. I'd love to see the other two movies happen, but according to Bloody-Disgusting the studio and Scott are currently “freaking out” over how to continue the story of Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) in the sequel, and are taking pitches from basically anyone who can crack the story. 

It's really hard to believe that these guys didn't come up with a full story outline for the trilogy before they made the first film. I guess anything is possible, but these guys are smart writers and filmmakers, you'd think they'd have a plan, right?! On top of that Scott doesn't seem like the kind of guy to freak out over something like this.

The site says that "we expect everyone surrounding the project to deny this story. That’s standard procedure. Don’t believe ‘em." Like I said though, the whole trilogy was planned out from the beginning. Here Spaihts talked about it in an old interview with Empire,

I did have a plan for multiple films and the conversations I had with Ridley was about a new franchise, from the beginning. We talked about a possible trilogy, or a duology, but more often as a trilogy. And I did have pretty broad notions as to how we were going to get from this world to the original Alien – the baton pass, closing the circle, if you will. So yes, I did have plans for two other films. I came up with an even more twisted sequence than the Medpod, but I cannot tell you what happens…

My vision of the trilogy would have involved the arrival of the Yutani Company and a couple of other major plays around the Engineers themselves: the revelation of an additional grand Engineer design, and the possibility of seeking an Engineer homeworld. That shot of the ship flying at the end offers a lot of creative ways to play with this. But it feels like it brackets you into the search for the Engineer homeworld and home civilisation. That’s an interesting challenge.

So it sounds like they did have some kind of idea to develop the trilogy, at the same time he also says it's going to be an interesting challenge. So maybe that is the challenge that Scott and the studio are currently facing. If they really are having issues, I'm sure they'll be able to crack it. 

Lindelof himself took to Twitter and is saying he doesn't believe Ridley Scott has ever freaked out in his life. He then sent a e-mail to /Film explaining his side of the story saying...

While I’m happy to maintain my ongoing role as internets whipping boy (well, not happy, but at least resigned) this is a weird attack piece, even for someone who should be used to it by now.

The unglamorous truth is this:

During the creative process of Prometheus, all involved (that includes Fox and Ridley) had a strong desire for this film to launch off in its own way so that by the end, it would not connect directly to the original ALIEN, but instead run parallel to it. This is something that I talked about many, many times in the press burst around the release of the movie. As you probably remember, there was a lot of interest as to whether Prometheus was a “prequel” — the answer was, “Yes. Sort of. But if there was a sequel to Prometheus, it would not be ALIEN.”

Taking the strong foundation that Jon Spaihts had already written, I worked on the script to this end — and yes, during that process, Ridley did occasionally riff on what he felt might happen next as Shaw and David’s Head ventured off of LV-223 in search of wherever The Engineers had come from.

After the movie came out and discussions began about a possible sequel, I was already neck deep in writing and producing TOMORROWLAND with Brad Bird. I have found, unfortunately, that if I take on too many projects at one time, there is a higher probability of those projects sucking. And contrary to popular belief, I do not want anything I work on to suck. I really don’t. I care about these stories deeply — not just as a writer, but as a fan. It might not always feel that way to the audience, but I swear to God it is true. It also so happens that Ridley was about to embark on directing his next movie, THE COUNSELOR, and had another one, CHILD 44 lined up right behind it. The conclusion was obvious — In the best interest of the franchise, it was best to take myself out of the running before I had to suffer the embarrassment of potentially not even being offered it.

And that it is the complete (if not somewhat boring) truth.

As to whether Ridley and Fox are “freaking out” about me not working on a sequel, well that’s news to me. I retain awesome relationships with both. More importantly, the idea that there aren’t many, MANY writers out there capable of taking the reins is sort of ridiculous. I did not map out a trilogy and then walk when the going got tough. Anyone who says otherwise doesn’t know me and doesn’t know the truth.

The process of working on Prometheus with Ridley was one of the greatest things that has ever happened to me. Love or hate the result of that work, I don’t regret having done it for a second.

Bloody Disgusting was very clever in tagging their story with the sentiment that denials were going to come. This would seem to throw shade on me denying the veracity of the story simply by anticipating that I would.

But denying the story I am.

As I said, I will take all the abuse in the world for the things I have done, but I refuse to take it for the things I have not.

That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

Your Pal,

Damon