VIRAL NEWS
Watch 'Prometheus' Character Peter Weyland's Viral Talk at TED2023
by Ethan Anderton
February 28, 2012
Source: Facebook
Just yesterday director Ridley Scott revealed the link between Prometheus and Alien to be within a character played by Guy Pearce. In Alien, a company called Weyland-Yutani sent the Nostromo ship into space, and Pearce is playing Peter Weyland in Prometheus. It's a good thing we have that information as a bit of a viral campaign is beginning with a new video at TED2023 (or Technology, Entertainment and Design), which has previously featured talks from J.J. Abrams, has Pearce speaking as Weyland about changing the world and making the future through his company Weyland Industries. This is just awesome!
The video has Weyland speaking in the year 2023, linked by the Prometheus Facebook (via SlashFilm):
The page on the official TED blog describes Peter Weyland (Pearce) like this:
Peter Weyland has been a magnet for controversy since he announced his intent to build the first convincingly humanoid robotic system by the end of the decade.
Whether challenging the ethical boundaries of medicine with nanotechnology or going toe to toe with the Vatican itself on the issue of gene-therapy sterilization, Sir Peter prides himself on his motto, "If we can, we must." After a three year media blackout, Weyland has finally emerged to reveal where he's heading next. Wherever that may be, we will most certainly want to follow.
It's not exactly clear how all this will tie into Prometheus yet, but apparently this video will not be in the film itself. However, Ridley Scott's son, Luke Scott, directed the video which was conceived by the Alien director and also Damon Lindelof, the writer of Prometheus. In fact, The TED blog also has a great Q&A with Lindelof about writing a lecture for their series as if it took place in the future and about TED in general. You can check that out right here. An website for Weyland is also up at WeylandIndustries.com:
Right now it prominently features the video saying, "Considered a seminal moment in the career of our founder Peter Weyland, this 2023 TED Talk launched Weyland Corp into the international spotlight. In honor of our 50th year, Weyland Corp is planning to offer a new round of investment soon. Interested parties can expect to find out more within the next few days." It also lists the hashtag #WeylandInvestors so there's likely more to come from this website and a hopefully exciting viral campaign leading up to the release of the film in June. Stay tuned and we'll do our best to keep you updated. Everyone excited?
55 Comments
1
That was amazing...it gave me goose bumps.
peloquin on Feb 28, 2012
2
BOOYA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Jericho on Feb 28, 2012
3
Did James Cameron insisted on a stadium before giving a TED talk, or anybody? Guy Pearce is great. The rest not.
Robert L. Tuva on Feb 28, 2012
4
Can you say SPOILERS BEFORE MAYBE???? sheesh
Buzzfunk on Feb 28, 2012
5
How was that spoileriffic? It was a character piece. You probably get more spoilers from the bloddy trailer.
McWetty on Feb 28, 2012
6
This is a video made by Ridley Scott and then made publicly available. I disagree that this video could spoil us or his story. It is the information and experience that he wants us to have while waiting.
Preston Goff on Feb 28, 2012
7
Agreed. Was so happy to see the previous article without spoilers in the header, then BLAM - spoiler (assuming it's the same one) right in the freakin' header.
bozo connors on Feb 28, 2012
8
I agree. The spoiler was this site put his freaking NAME on the page and in the headline. The spoiler was this man was "Peter Weyland". That was the hook of the video, to show you an unknown person talking and then he introduces himself and BAM! Seriously, WHY would this site post his name ANYWHERE in this? It ruins the entire point of the video.
Youme on Mar 2, 2012
9
VERY exciting. I loved the TED tie-in as well. Will probably see the midnight release of Prometheus.
McWetty on Feb 28, 2012
10
Ridley Scott used up all his abilities to make Alien and Blade Runner. Which were incredible. But have you seen his other movies? I mean, ok, Gladiator and Thelma and Louise are fine, but Robin Hood, A Good Year, Body of Lies and Kingdom of Heaven are so bad it`s embarrasing. This movie will flop. Heed my words, cinephiles.
Daimlindin on Feb 28, 2012
11
Kingdom of Heaven is actually really good if you watch the Director's cut. It was a night and day difference for me.
Nathan on Feb 28, 2012
12
I haven't seen Kingdom of Heaven, but that sounds just like Blade Runner. Anyways if his best work has been sci-fi, then I want him to do more sci-fi!
Preston Goff on Feb 28, 2012
13
When did I say Kingdom of Heaven was embarrassingly bad? Are you familiar with Blade Runner and its different releases?
Preston Goff on Feb 28, 2012
14
i think you're confusing him for the OP Rule: Look Before you Leap
DoomCanoe on Feb 28, 2012
15
Agreed, Director's Cut was waaay better. And awesome, another fan of Kingdom of Heaven...doesn't seem to be too many of us I'm afraid:(
RidgeRacer4 on Feb 28, 2012
16
worry not good sir, for we are many ......mostly of the director's cut at least, lol =P
bat0u on Feb 28, 2012
17
Very many indeed. Fine movie. Director's Cut actually made sense out of the original storyline.
Andrew Leitch on Feb 28, 2012
18
Go watch the DC of KoH...its simply fantastic.
Xerxexx on Feb 28, 2012
19
Gladiator was more than just okay.
JL on Feb 28, 2012
20
Gladiator was fantastic!
Andrew Leitch on Feb 28, 2012
21
Alien, Blade Runner, Gladiator, Black Hawk Down, Thelma and Louise and American Gangster were truly fantastic movies. Out of curiousity which directors do you rate? It's hard to think of many directors with a better set of 6 movies than that.
BLARGh. on Feb 29, 2012
22
So is Guy Pearce's character Peter Weyland suppose to be related to Lance Henriksen's character Charles Bishop Weyland in the first AVP movie? Since that one took place in 2004 and this one in 2023, are they father and son?
Nathan on Feb 28, 2012
23
Most likely Guy is Lance's son, but from here on in we're just going to to disavow any knowledge of that film (regardless of how cool that plot device/fan service was) or the follow-up:P
RidgeRacer4 on Feb 28, 2012
24
or the books or comics or hidden plot potential pieces in every movie of the two........
Jericho on Feb 28, 2012
25
the books and comics came out before predator 2 and both Ridley and Cameron loved them.....
Jericho on Feb 28, 2012
26
Is Guy Pearce playing the same character that Lance Henrikson played in Alien vs Predator?
alanshore on Feb 28, 2012
27
Not too bad!
Gordon Kennedy on Feb 28, 2012
28
great monologue,great writing and excellant viral.
tir na nog on Feb 28, 2012
29
That was fantastic, too bad its not in the actual film 🙁 but nonetheless it was a great video.
Xerxexx on Feb 28, 2012
30
Wow. That was one of the best produced pieces of marketing I think I've ever seen. It makes me wonder if that'll end up being somewhere in the movie. The effects and monologue were solid.
Aj Meadows on Feb 28, 2012
31
how is it possible that this man, GUY PEARCE, does not even have an Oscar, let alone a nomination. it just proves how outrageous the Academy is and how incapable they are of appreciating true talent...
filmineeer on Feb 28, 2012
32
RIGHT!
DoomCanoe on Feb 28, 2012
33
I agree!
jsmith0552 on Jan 17, 2013
34
Holy shit! This was absolutely incredible. Chilling. Powerful. Awesome. I love TED Talks, and seeing this so great. I am intrigued to see where this goes.
DAVIDPD on Feb 28, 2012
35
Seeing as how I have never seen any of the Alien films, am I missing out? Watching this viral vid has made me want to check them out. What say ye peoples?
Chris Amaya on Feb 28, 2012
36
You are. At least watch the first two before you go seeing Prometheus or I'm afraid you'll miss out. I'm sure they'll make it so that everyone can enjoy it but yeah, you should at least see the first, even if it's just out of pure interest in film.
reeft on Feb 28, 2012
37
Think we should place this in the Top #5 best virals ever made 🙂
David Banner on Feb 28, 2012
38
Ahh Mr. Scott could you please do a real sequel after the movie Aliens and even maybe 1 (just 1 real intelligent Aliens vs Predator movie)! Trust me we can easily forget the last 4 movies like they never existed! Trust me!!!!!!!
Jcs012872 on Feb 28, 2012
39
There's nothing intelligent about Aliens fighting Predators. I wish I could strangle the son of a bitch that said "Hey it would be cool to put an alien skull in the Predator ship!".
Awtan90 on Feb 28, 2012
40
James Cameron did...actually its James Cameron's fault for the comics that came out before predator 2....actually its also his fault the Predator looks the way it does *it was originally a dog faced harry mess*
Jericho on Feb 28, 2012
41
James Cameron has been quoted saying AVP is a bad idea. I'll admit Cameron had a role in it by reducing the aliens to space-bugs, but he did not initialize the concept of pitting aliens and predators against each other and mixing the two universes. And yes I know the story of Cameron giving Stan Winston suggestions that led to the predator having mandibles.
Awtan90 on Feb 28, 2012
42
he quoted before he saw the movie, he returned said quote when they asked him about it after *although he fumes when someone asks him about the 2nd one*....and he still caused the comics that came out before Predator 2
Jericho on Feb 29, 2012
43
Look I highly doubt Cameron was the one that said "I know lets pit aliens against predators", but if he was than he gets another asshole point and he's already got a bunch. Either way I don't really care because he's not involved, and the one in charge of this film is Scott, who hates the concept of AVP. If you can find me a source that says Ridley Scott loved anything AVP related I would appreciate it, and gladly retract my statement. For the record believing either director, both of whom have millions of dollars, read any of the trashy comics published by Darkhorse is just ridiculous.
Awtan90 on Feb 29, 2012
44
i just replied about it being Cameron since you asked who came up with the idea
Jericho on Mar 2, 2012
45
Of course in retrospect it's easy to say that, but I remember back in the day, fanboys by and large thought the idea sounded pretty cool. Basically you're looking at a case of the "bad execution of a good idea."
jsmith0552 on Jan 17, 2013
46
Bad ass. I can't wait to see this film and I dig underrated Guy Pearce.
Johnny Neat on Feb 29, 2012
47
Good Lord. Can't wait to see the new movie. Sad fan boy has been waiting for more than 25 years to get a new 'intelligent' Alien style film. Looks like Ridley has updated ideas and themes. And by the way, has anybody noticed the Prometheus trailor has music that ehoes the original Alien film? Waht's the betting Prometheus is some sort of meditation on genetic engineering and our arrogance about being able to create life. Are the Aliens our bastard creation? Who knows. Just forget Alien 3 and 4, plus the Alien v Predator stuff, sit back and enjoy what looks like being an incredible ride.
Dave Newble on Feb 29, 2012
48
guy pearce should get an oscar. everytime he gives an awesome performance.
Ryley on Feb 29, 2012
49
Guy Pearce is unconvincing and with another terrible accent (he can't do them well). What the hell are you guys smoking?
Max Renn on Mar 2, 2012
50
I am a Alienphile...love the series. Anyways, this is a brilliant and well performed speech. I must say though that some of the content is NOT original. If you listen to the speech, Weyland speaks of man's accomplishments - just happens that they are mentioned the same way in JFK's speech in 1962 at Rice University when he speaks of going to the moon. Major milestones in man's history are almost verbatim the wheel, television, automobile, nuclear power, spaceflight...all are mentioned in a sort of condensed version spanning only 50 years in JFK's speech. Here it is for comparison purposes. I would like to know if this was the impetus for this Weyland's presentation at Ted 2023. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ouRbkBAOGEw
Finster1018 on Mar 1, 2012
51
Kinda ironic really, given how Alien films have always reflected contemporary society. He ain't going to change much really
Moif on Mar 1, 2012
52
You guys really need to take the name " Peter Weyland" out of the title. It spoils the entire point of the video. His name is supposed to be secret until the very end. Do you guys read the last chapter in books first as well?
Youme on Mar 2, 2012
53
that is a little difficult to try and hide it when even the site it comes from is saying his name....
Jericho on Mar 3, 2012
54
The inane comment by Daimlindi really demonstrates why I find most posts regarding film a complete ******* waste of time. GO AND WATCH TRANSFORMERS and leave adults to enjoy grown up films. The best option about Prometheus is not to know any more but go see it and marvel at the genius who is directing.
macatae on Mar 5, 2012
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