Ridley Scott Done With Alien Franchise?

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Ridley Scott, who directed iconic films such as Gladiator, Blade Runner, and the groundbreaking 1979 movie Alien, has expressed that he feels he has contributed enough to the horror-sci-fi franchise. The success of 2024’s Alien: Romulus demonstrated that the series can thrive without Scott as director, a fact with which he agrees, stating, “I believe I’ve made my mark, and I simply hope it continues to grow.

Initially, Scott participated solely in the first movie, and then took an extended hiatus. Years later, in 2012, he re-entered the scene to create the prequel titled “Prometheus,” and in 2017, his final Alien film, “Alien: Covenant” was released. Interestingly, Scott served as a producer for “Romulus,” allowing Fede Álvarez to attempt crafting an Alien sequel – a chance that many felt was long overdue. The end product was a blockbuster hit, praised by critics for its similarity in essence to what Scott accomplished with the original Alien film.

During an interview with Screen Rant for the 20th anniversary of “Kingdom of Heaven”, Scott discussed his influence on the “Alien” series and the subsequent films that followed his groundbreaking space horror movie. He expressed, “I felt it lost its vitality after the fourth film,” referring to the sequels that deviated from the original direction.

I found my work quite impressive, and I also appreciated Jim’s (Cameron) Aliens. However, I must admit that most of the others were not up to par. It struck me, ‘Oh dear, this seems to be the end of a series that should hold its own alongside legendary franchises like Star Trek or Star Wars,’ which I believe are absolutely remarkable.

In my opinion, George’s first film stands out as groundbreaking – comparable to 2001: A Space Odyssey in its impact. It shaped the way I viewed film language and guided me towards what was next. Shortly after seeing Star Wars by George, I was presented with Alien. Initially, I was one of five contenders for the role. I can’t fathom why Robert Altman was offered Alien instead; only the heavens know. When Altman refused, saying he wasn’t interested, I couldn’t believe it – I had to take on this project because it delved into the realms of heavy metal music.

Apart from his discussions, Scott also mentioned his decision to rejoin the series with the films _Prometheus_ and _Covenant_. These prequels, which received mixed opinions due to their controversial backstory, were eventually appreciated by devoted fans. However, Scott himself has expressed that he’s finished working on this franchise.

Some time passed, and I declared, ‘I’ll bring this back to life.’ So, I started anew with Prometheus – a clean slate. Damon Lindelof and I collaborated on it, brainstorming and refining ideas for Prometheus.

It was strongly felt and warmly received by the audience, who craved more. I replied, ‘It needs to continue.’ It seemed no one was taking interest in it, so I returned and developed Alien: Covenant, which also succeeded. I believe its current trajectory is satisfactory, and I merely hope it continues to progress further.

What Does the Future Hold for the ‘Alien’ Franchise?

The film “Romulus” demonstrated that there is still potential in the “Alien” series, as it effectively reinstated the terror that appeared to diminish in subsequent sequels. Fingers crossed that Noah Hawley’s forthcoming TV series, “Alien: Earth,” co-produced by Ridley Scott, will continue this trend and breathe fresh life into the franchise.

There hasn’t been any official announcement yet about what’s next for the Alien franchise following the success of Romulus with $350.9 million at the box office. However, it seems likely that director Fede Álvarez will be given free rein to make a sequel by 20th Century Studios. Although Ridley Scott may not sit in the director’s chair again, he is expected to contribute to the project in some capacity.

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2025-06-02 20:32