Summary
- Prometheus introduced David, an android embarking on a journey to fulfill his creator’s wish.
- David’s words to the Last Engineer are fairly straight forward and not as provocative as the movie makes them seem.
- Despite his few scenes, Guy Pearce’s portrayal of Weyland in Prometheus adds complexity to the mythology of the Alien universe.
Prometheus expanded the Alien franchise with a ton of fascinating backstory and lore, but it also opened up several questions, including that of David’s words to the Last Engineer. While Prometheus is commonly considered to be one of the lesser Alien movies, it’s vital to establish the expanded lore premises of following movies like Covenant and Romulus. The film introduces David (Michael Fassbender), an android created by billionaire Peter Weyland (Guy Pearce), who’s sent aboard the Prometheus vessel to fulfill his creator’s wishes.
While David and Weyland’s dynamic isn’t central to Prometheus, it is central to the overarching thematic ideas Ridley Scott explored in the film. Just as Weyland is looking for his creator, the Engineers, the android David also explores his relationship with his creator. In the climactic scene where Weyland is brought to meet the Last Engineer, Weyland utilizes David’s language skills to communicate, causing the Last Engineer to lash out at them violently. He kills Weyland and beheads David, begging questions about what the android said.
Related
Prometheus’ Black Goo Explained: All Powers And How It Connects To Alien
The black goo introduced in Prometheus is quietly one of the most important aspects of the prequel, and plays into the origins of Alien’s Xenomorphs.
David’s Message To The Engineer In Prometheus Explained
David Speaks On Weyland’s Behalf, But What Does He Say?
In a 2012 article from The Bioscopist, the writer explains that he spoke with Dr. Anil Biltoo, the linguistics consultant who worked on Prometheus, and requested an English translation for the line. The line is Proto-Indo-European, which David is seen learning earlier in the film. In the scene, he says, “This man is here because he does not want to die. He believes you can give him more life.” The translation clarifies Weyland’s goal, which is to meet his creators in hopes of achieving immortality.
Guy Pearce’s Weyland is one of the most fascinating characters in the Alien mythology despite only having a brief number of scenes. He’s expanded on in Alien: Covenant in its opening scene and is even referenced in the new Alien: Romulus ties the prequels to the originals. He’s a wealthy billionaire who’s developed a god complex and sees himself finding the answers to humanity’s greatest questions through the use of the Prometheus crew. Ironically, he’s killed almost immediately after meeting the Last Engineer.
Why The Engineer Attacked The Prometheus Crew After David Used The Alien Language
The Last Engineer’s Motives Aren’t Entirely Clear
Though the movie hints that David has his own motivations here, what he says to the Last Engineer isn’t really provocative, raising more questions about why the being reacts in the way he does. It seems like the reason he lashes out at them is because his civilization had already declared itself against humanity, and he was surprised to have been woken up by them. He likely just saw them as an obstacle in the way of getting on his ship and getting off the planet. Prometheus is a bit confusing, but there are some interesting takeaways for the larger franchise.
A deleted scene from Prometheus explores this exchange further, providing motivation for the Last Engineer’s attack. However, it’s not what ultimately happens in the movie.
Sources: The Bioscopist
Prometheus
4.5
2012’s Prometheus is the fifth installment in the Alien franchise and was directed by Ridley Scott. Starring Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Idris Elba, and Guy Pearce, the film acts as a direct prequel to 1979’s Alien.
- Release Date
- June 8, 2012
- Runtime
- 124 Minutes