Ridley Scott’s post-production change to one scene fromPrometheusis being criticized by VFX artists 13 years after premiering. Set beforeAlien, the sci-fi movie explores a team of scientists and researchers on board the eponymous ship who follow a star map to a foreign moon, seeking knowledge about humankind and their creation.Introducing Engineersand a black substance,which leads to the genesis of Xenomorphs,Prometheusfeatures several shocking and visually memorable moments. The cast ofPrometheusincludes Noomi Rapace, Logan Marshall-Green, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, Charlize Theron, and Guy Pearce.
DuringCorridor Crew’s recent “VFX Artists React to Bad & Great CGi” video, members looked at, and praised, various sequences fromPrometheus, explaining howScott practically crafted most elements, and employed special effects when needed. In one instance, as an Engineer tried to fight off a large, tentacled creature, wires were used for the actor, while CGI brought the horrifying organism to life, although earlier shots of it may have been real. For the post-credits scene of a Xenomorph-like alien, there was tangible puppetry with some VFX eventually added.
Corridor Crew took issue, however, with a particular scene, where the drastically mutated Fifield (Sean Harris) targets the remainingPrometheuscrew members. At first, they watched a version that never made it to screen, then compared it to the final product. As Jordan revealed,the more CGI-heavy Fifield appearance was removed by Scott in post, even though VFX artists had finished it. Because all the work ultimately went unseen, Wren remarked: “I hate that so much.” Read more of his comments below:
Having watched both sequences a few times now, I can kind of see him making the right call on this, where it’s like, the one that’s in the final movie does feel more visceral. It feels more realistic. And, it’s at a stage in the process where it’s like, ‘well, this was the idea, but it’s just not working. I’m sorry, but we have to cut it.’ It makes sense. I get it. It’s just, I hate wasted work.
What The Post-Production Change Meant For Prometheus
Ridley Scott Wanted That Scene To Look A Certain Way
Prior to his transformation, Fifield encountered the black goo, later known asChemical AO-3959X.91-15 in theAlienfranchise, and creatures bearing some semblance to snakes, one of which burned his protection upon being cut. After immediately falling in the liquid, his helmet begins melting into his face in one terrifying shot. Later, returning toPrometheus, Fifield exhibites superhuman strength andis almost in the same contorted position as in the unused footage, but his head is severely disfigured, with a massive lump on top.
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Compared to what he looked like inPrometheus, Fifield appeared even more unrecognizable, and actually less human, in the scene Corridor Crew analyzed. This version of Fifield seemed to be another creature altogether and the special effects, while impressively done, were noticeable. Changing the sequence in post-production likely suggests that Ridley Scott hadan idea in mind for that whole reveal, and that practical effects fit it better. But as Niko mentioned in the video, “I think you could make the decision to make the right decision without having to do this amount of wasted work.”
Our Take On Changing That Prometheus Scene
The Unused Version Would Have Been Less Effective
From whatPrometheusrevealed about the black goo, it has the ability to rapidly evolve hosts, but seeing remnants of the human being it has infected, as in Fifield’s case, makes the experience more horrifying. Using the original, less digitally enhanced version of this character allows his crewmates to still identify him, amid significant concern. In the unused sequence, it is hard to see Fifield, and although that ghastly, alien-like form would shock audiences, it would also feel less convincing.
Prometheus
Cast
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.
