Prometheus 3

Prometheus 3: Dawn of the Engineers – The Alien Prequel That Never Was

Prometheus 3: Dawn of the Engineers was a conceptual continuation of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), intended to further explore the origins of the Engineers, the xenomorphs, and the deeper mythology behind the Alien universe. Although never officially produced or released, the film has long lived in the minds of fans and in behind-the-scenes development, serving as a fascinating “what-if” scenario in one of science fiction’s most enduring franchises.

Originally, Ridley Scott envisioned Prometheus as the beginning of a trilogy that would eventually connect directly to the original Alien (1979). The first film introduced audiences to a universe where humanity’s creators—ancient beings known as the Engineers—held the key to both our origins and our potential destruction. In Alien: Covenant, Scott shifted gears, focusing more on the creation of the xenomorphs through the rogue android David (played chillingly by Michael Fassbender), who took a God-like interest in creating life through death.

Prometheus 3: Dawn of the Engineers was rumored to be the bridge between Covenant and Alien, with early titles and concepts suggesting a deeper dive into the world of the Engineers—the mysterious, godlike race whose technology gave rise to the horrors of the xenomorph. The title itself, “Dawn of the Engineers,” hints at a more mythological approach, likely exploring the civilization, motives, and downfall of these creators. The film was expected to follow David as he arrived on the Engineers’ homeworld after the events of Covenant, having wiped out the Engineers on the planet Origae-6.

If the film had been made, it likely would have explored the consequences of David’s experiments and the fallout of his playing god. He was last seen heading into space with thousands of human colonists in cryosleep—genetic material for his twisted evolutionary projects. The third installment may have pitted David against the surviving Engineers or introduced a new faction that sees him as a threat to their ancient legacy. Themes of creation, rebellion, and existential purpose—hallmarks of Scott’s Prometheus arc—would have taken center stage.

Unfortunately, due to the underwhelming box office performance of Alien: Covenant and a mixed fan reaction to the direction of the prequels, 20th Century Fox (and later Disney, following its acquisition of Fox) shelved plans for Prometheus 3. Ridley Scott expressed interest in continuing the story, but by 2020, it became increasingly clear that the studio intended to move the franchise in a different direction, possibly through standalone entries or streaming series.

Despite never materializing, Dawn of the Engineers remains a topic of speculation and debate among fans. Some see it as a missed opportunity to tie together the grand philosophical questions of Prometheus with the visceral horror of Alien. Others feel the prequels strayed too far from the simplicity and terror of the original films.

In conclusion, Prometheus 3: Dawn of the Engineers represents the unfinished ambition of Ridley Scott to craft a complex origin story for the Alien universe. While the film may never come to fruition, its ideas continue to inspire conversations about where the franchise has been—and where it might yet go