It doesn't surprise me at all that Jack Paglen was hired to pen PROMETHEUS 2 after watching TRANSCENDENCE.
In some ways Paglen's script has both convinced me that he should be able to flesh out the characters and dialogue and make PROMETHEUS 2 all the better for doing so. There are some interesting 'freak-out' moments (even if the director Wally Pfiser didnt handle them too well) and I can see how that combined with the threads already aligned at the end of PROMETHEUS, will make for some interesting sci-fi. Honestly, TRANSCENDENCE, the film was rather disappointing, and much less exciting than it wants to be, nor thrilling and scary. However, I also got the impression it was held back by its rating. I have the script and it read better than the film was executed.
The religious themes, God/creator stuff is quite prominent in Jack Paglen's mind. It's VERY easy to see how the themes of TRANSCENDENCE could be applied by the same writer to an PROMETHEUS story.
That might make it of some interest to ALIEN fans...NOW. Since, we know Michael Green is currently re-drafting Paglen's script. After seeing the flaws in TRANSCENDENCE, I'm half glad he wrote P2 because I think the first PROMETHEUS needed to be fleshed out like Paglen's script was (if not a bit too fleshed out). That said, I'm also no longer worried about there being current re-writes to make Paglen's script more exciting...even if I believe the writing wasn't the problem with TRANSCENDENCE. The script is good (if not derivative and talky). It was most likely dulled down by Production and Pfiser's inexperience with actors/ building tension. It has a great deal of style though. The effects and cinematography were something. Its almost ironic that it has a lot of the same flaws as PROMETHEUS.... Which is a much better film.
Anyway,.. seen TRANSCENDENCE?... Thoughts?