Watch: Fantastic 'Prometheus' Viral Video Focusing On Michael Fassbender's Android David

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by Kevin Jagernauth
April 17, 2012 7:24 AM
10 Comments

Just yesterday afternoon around ye olde Playlist water cooler, we were talking about the "Prometheus" marketing campaign. Specifically how, unlike Warner Bros. and Christopher Nolan who can show as much or as little of "The Dark Knight Rises" as they please because of the built-in brand, Fox has a bit more of uphill climb with "Prometheus." With no major stars and only a tenuous link to the "Alien" series (that isn't even being played up in materials for the movie) they've had to sell the sizzle without (hopefully) ruining the movie. And they've been doing a great job. Boasting some of the best trailers of the year so far and building up feverish anticipation, this latest viral video is further proof that they're running a well-oiled machine over there.

This latest look at the film is an advertisement of sorts for David, the Weyland corporation's android played by Michael Fassbender in the film. Looking weirdly like Tilda Swinton, David explains his attributes -- many of which you'd expect to find from a helpful android -- but also uneasily adds that he's capable of performing functions that humans might find "distressing" or "unethical." David is also apparently capable of emotions and has an artificial intelligence which allows him to think of concepts as big as the universe or angels, but in another curious note, he reveals that he feels sad when contemplating "war, poverty, cruelty, unnecessary violence." Are we looking at the H.A.L. of "Prometheus"?

Either way, this is a great spot. June 8th can't arrive soon enough. Watch below. [via Prometheus Forum]

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More: Prometheus, Michael Fassbender

10 Comments

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Lucy | April 17, 2012 11:24 PMReply

Whoa ok I'm even more excited! Michael Fassbender you're incredible! Damn I'm impressed!
Peeta | April 17, 2012 10:43 PMReply

How is Charlize Theron not a major star?
Ray H | April 17, 2012 9:03 PMReply

While watching this, I couldn't help thinking that Weyland bought out Cybertronics and worked out the kinks of that Haley Joel Osment-bot.
Kate | April 17, 2012 4:01 PMReply

Johnny Hardstaff directed it.
Rico Suave | April 17, 2012 1:58 PMReply

He actually sounds like Ian Holm from the first movie. I'm really excited for this. The only thing that's kind of funny is that all the technology in the trailer is much more advanced than anything that the crew of the Nostromo had AFTER this movie takes place. I know they're just a cargo ship or whatever, but still. Hopefully, Ridley Scott doesn't continue his recent trend of being severely mediocre.
bobmorton | April 17, 2012 12:51 PMReply

anyone know who directed this spot?
Monique | April 17, 2012 7:39 PM

Johnny Hardstaff directed it. RSA Films
Huffy | April 17, 2012 11:12 AMReply

I hope Fassbender's entire performance is this good. It's amazing how awkward he is; you can just see his CPU telling the fact to look concerned when he says "unethical". I can't recall someone ever taking this route when playing an AI (at least not to this degree) and if this is any indication of the final product I can't wait. I haven't even been gushing about Prometheus before this either.
Kate | April 17, 2012 11:30 AM

The first 12 minutes of the film screened for journalists already, and he's apparently an absolute stand-out with an incredible physical performance.

However, it sounds like the film performance may differ from the marketing performance. He's a template model in the promo above, while in the film he'll have been on his own in space for a few years, developing a distinct personality on top of the programming.
Edward Davis | April 17, 2012 9:43 AMReply

That picture is so: "Golden years, golden years, what what what."