Director Ridley Scott confirmed a newAlienfilm is still in development. However, the filmmaker hinted that his plans for the franchise may have to be revised after the underwhelming reception towardsPrometheusandAlien: Covenant.
Over thirty years after directingAlien, Ridley Scott returned to helm a prequel titledPrometheusafter other filmmakers directed the three sequels that followed the original science-fiction horror classic. Released in 2012,Prometheusoffered insight into the origins ofthe iconic Xenomorphand was followed by a sequel titledAlien: Covenant, which featured the creature in a more prominent role and was more narratively similar to the previous installments of the franchise. While the plan was to produce another sequel that would continue the prequelstoryline, the future of the franchise appeared to be on hold after the disappointing box office performance of bothPrometheusandAlien: Covenant.
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During an interview with Forbes, Scott provided a glimmer of hope for the continuation oftheAlienfranchiseby confirming a new film is “in process.” However, Scott noted that the nextAlienfilm may not continue thePrometheusstoryline. “We went down a route to try and reinvent the wheel withPrometheusandCovenant.Whether or not we go directly back to that is doubtful becausePrometheuswoke it up very well. But you know, you’re asking fundamental questions like, ‘Has the Alien himself, the facehugger, the chestburster, have they all run out of steam? Do you have to rethink the whole bloody thing and simply use the word to franchise?’ That’s always the fundamental question,” he explained.
Plans for the future of theAlienfranchise included a sequel to the first and second film fromDistrict 9director Neill Blomkamp. Jettisoning the pannedAlien 3andAlien: Ressurectionfrom canon,Blomkamp’sAlien: Awakeningwould have seen Sigourney Weaver reprise her role as Ellen Ripley. However, 20th Century Fox axed the project after Scott’sAlien: Covenantdisappointed at the box office.
While Scott’s comments offer little new information, they may be welcomed by long-time fans of theAlienfranchise. ThoughPrometheusandCovenantare not nearly as acclaimed as the first two entries in the film series, fans are likely hoping the franchise can have at least one more installment to conclude on a more positive note.
Then again, Scott’sAlienandJames Cameron’sAliensare generally considered to be the only two good films in the franchise. So perhaps it’s time to rethink the entire approach and bring the franchise to television. If Scott’s most recent projectRaised By Wolvesfares well on HBO Max, perhaps anAlienseries isn’t so farfetched.
