Every big release these days needs to come complete with its own viral marketing campaign. But this latest promo for Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated sci-fi epic Prometheus doesn’t exactly hide its purpose. No, the clip of Guy Pearce pulling a John Hurt as corporate “visionary” Peter Weyland is well and truly tied into the film from the get-go. Still, while the footage won’t appear in the film (it was conceived by Scott and Damon Lindelof and directed by Ridley’s son, Luke) it’s still an intriguing little tease. Take a look below.
Set within a future broadcast – marked as 2023 – of the TED talks series (designed to showcase ideas from people in the fields of technology, entertainment and design, hence the name), it features Pearce’s Weyland talking up both the history of the Prometheus legend and the technological marvels we’ve come up with so far. It also hints towards the future, with Weyland's big plans, which is obviously of more direct relevance to Prometheus, the film.
While the clip itself is short, it’s still an interesting little back door into the story of the film without giving spoilers away. Plus, with Weyland’s company attitude and driving ambition, you just know things are going to be terribly, terribly wrong. Though, to be honest, you can figure that out from the trailer…
It's also just the first step in what is clearly an expanding campaign - check out the new (barebones for now) Weyland Industries site.
Sorry keaneye, but I don't think I have thrown my toys out of the pram. I haven't said 'this film will suck' or 'this is total shit'. I'm still looking forward to this film but I don't like this promo and I don't like Guy Pearce in it. As I said, I think it's over the top. It's cardboard cut out corporate villain. Saying something is 'kinda awful' is hardly an extreme reaction. If you haven't seen the previous Alien films, you'll already know from this that Weyland Yutani is a questionable comp More
Posted by bobthegrinch at 19:48 on 08 March 2012 | Report This Post
I don't think with Ridley involved it would ever be a cheap cash in. He has always expressed strong dislike for the true cash in of the AVP series and seems to be passionate about his concept for this movie. Frankly I'm glad it's not a straight up prequel. As good as Alien and Aliens was there are only so many ways to get chased by a zenomorph. More
Posted by Mort Grimm at 11:03 on 02 March 2012 | Report This Post
RE: RE:
So it was a big conference hall. Hardly a stretch. Some flying cameras, interesting stuff going on in the background (viewer tweets perhaps, news feeds etc...) I thought it was realistic. More
Posted by Mort Grimm at 10:52 on 02 March 2012 | Report This Post
RE: He sounded a little like...
But he is a acting the scene- that is to say his character is. He's performing as a character who is himself carrying out a performance, and that seems to have come across well! More
Posted by Mort Grimm at 10:48 on 02 March 2012 | Report This Post
RE: Mwah-ha-ha-ha!
L: BenTramer
The only thing Guy Pearce was short of in that clip was a top hat and a black moustache to twirl as he's such an obvious villain.
didn't really see villainy, just a transparent, naked ambition on a grand scale. I am sure his hubris will lead to bad things, but it seems to be setting him up as someone driven, rather than someone overtly nefarious (IMHO) More
Posted by King of Kafiristan at 05:10 on 01 March 2012 | Report This Post
RE:
Didn't like it. Not what I was expecting the Earth of the 'Alien' uni to be like. I always thought it wasn't too far removed from our own. That was like a galactic senate meeting right out of Episode 3. More
Posted by The REAL Bozz at 23:48 on 29 February 2012 | Report This Post
RE: Weyland Waylaid
L: BenTramer
Guy Pearce is usually a good actor, but he looks uncomfortable and miscast in this. His English accent isn't great (odd that as an Australian, he's better at doing American accents). He's also a movie actor and doesn't really project or pace himself as you'd need to doing this kind of solo oration that a stage actor would eat up. If Peter Weyland really is the scumbag behind Weyland-Yutani then it should be done with more subtlety. He's like a panto villain.
Well perha More
Posted by King of Kafiristan at 17:26 on 29 February 2012 | Report This Post
RE: He sounded a little like...
@BenTramer
Agree
And I've Just rewatched it again,still not convinced.
Now dont get me wrong the speech is not bad,actaully its very good its just the manner in which it is executed by Guy Pearce,who makes his character come across far to broadly arrogant and egostitical,there is no sublety in his act.
His performance is like a cross between classic shakesperian theatre and pantomine,he acts the scene rather than being in the scene. More
Posted by OPEN YOUR EYES at 17:08 on 29 February 2012 | Report This Post
RE: Meh
Awful is a bit of a strong statement when you can't really explain why it's that bad. You must see a lot of uncompromising, slightly evil entrepreneurs on TED doing very boring uninspired presentations, but this performance looks like it's been played to character. A bit of artistic license can be allowed when it comes to making these movies. I mean it's not like they're making a true to life political drama here. Your reaction seems so extreme, it's like you marked a correct answer completel More
Posted by keaneye at 13:54 on 29 February 2012 | Report This Post
RE: Meh
L: bobthegrinch
I like Guy Pearce, but I kind of think this is awful. It's really heavy handed and I've never seen a TED presentation delivered so aggressively.
I'm not trying to be contrary, I just don't think this is a good performance. It's a bit OTT and it's like he's channelling Michael Wincott in The Crow. I'm officially a bit less excited for this film now.
ol,took the words right out of my mouth.gh I'm still hoping its a cracker of a film. More
Posted by OPEN YOUR EYES at 13:07 on 29 February 2012 | Report This Post
