To point about Scott wielding too much power and needing a strong creative team around him to get the best results, this was pretty much relayed to me verbatim by someone that worked on Prometheus.
Too many people too keen to tickle his tummy!
The move to explain the Xeno's origins - and potentially a return to that hard, R rated world of the original - is a smart move. However, if Shaw goes on to become the original Space Jockey, I will hunt Scott down and punch him right between his eyes!
The October release date is also potentially good news - being this close to Halloween might indicate a rachetting up of the terror / horror levels.
Fingers crossed! It's going to be a long two years!