In the sequel Alien: Covenant, Scott has kept David in a leading role, but has also brought in Katherine Waterston (Steve Jobs) as the new female lead.
If this new report on Pearce pans out, it will only further strengthen the connection between Covenant and the rest of the Alien film universe (Prometheus included).
With Covenant set up to further explore the history behind the Engineers, opening up the film with this scene and a younger, more recognizable Guy Pearce makes sense.
This leads to David and Peter discussing Gods and creations and human mortality which strikes a chord with Weyland.