Why would Vickers use the term half-a-billion miles?
Why would Vickers use the term "half-a-billion miles" in Prometheus?
As we know, that sort of distance from Earth is still well within the solar system -- about the distance to Jupiter. Obviously it was just an expression indicating a great distance but in a time where companies, perhaps even individuals, can spend a trillion dollars on a project (as was emphasized in the movie), the impact of a billion when trying to convey a large number is diminished.
If she had said half a zillion that would have worked much better. I am wondering why this was not changed if in the script or if it was a mistake made by the actor herself or some improvisation on her part.
Best Answer
It's in the script
As for "why it was not changed" or just adjusted in the script, this is merely hyperbole and not intended to be an accurate representation of the actual distance.
It's impossible to state why billion was used rather than any other extremely large number...it's just Vicker's way of speaking (at least as written).
Pictures about "Why would Vickers use the term half-a-billion miles?"
Photo of Earth taken 3.7 BILLION miles away...Here's the story
Sources: Stack Exchange - This article follows the attribution requirements of Stack Exchange and is licensed under CC BY-SA 3.0.
Images: Laker, Laker, Laker, Andrea Piacquadio