Prometheus is a film.
Prometheus ( [ prəˈmiːθiəs ] ) is a 2012 science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott , written by Jon Spaihts and Damon Lindelof and starring Noomi Rapace , Michael Fassbender , Guy Pearce , Idris Elba , Logan Marshall-Green and Charlize Theron . Scott and director James Cameron developed ideas for a film that would serve as a prequel to Scott 's 1979 science-fiction horror film Alien . Prometheus entered production in April 2010 , with extensive design phases during which the technology and creatures that the film required were developed . The film received praise for the aesthetic design and the acting , especially Fassbender 's performance as the android David , while plot elements that remained unresolved or predictable were the main source of criticism . The film grossed over $ 403 million worldwide .