Comments (Page 229)

Can’t see...

It's only a rumor but I will bite. I think Dark Nebula makes a great point.

Also, Isolation was before Aliens or could have been around the same time- I forgot the time lines.

I keep coming back to the idea of a non theater series to explore all these nuanced things a 2 hour movie cannot cover. For example, exploring WY and perhaps the Xeno but keeping it looser and calling it (like BD) suggested) Building Better Worlds.

Jim Cameron wants to give a dark fate to the alien franchise.

A prequel to Aliens, hmmm... The only way I see that could happen is a film that takes place between Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). Something like Alien: River of pain or Aliens: Fire and stone. The only reason I read the river of pain was that I was extremely curious about what Newt's parents got to see inside of the derelict, and I was surprised to read there was a battle between the xenomorphs and the engineers inside.

Aliens: fire and stone is more interesting from my point of view, in it during the xenomorph outbreak on LV-426 a group of survivors escape and crashland on LV-223. There they try to survive from xenomorphs (that got onboard), and other black goo mutations. One scientist got interested in the black goo and tried to learn about it, and about the engineers. 

Based on some of the comments by James Cameron regarding Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, he seems interested in the Engineer mythos. If that prequel film ever happens, I just hope Engineers make an appearance. 

"I mean - it's Queen/Aliens route, not Alien."

I think i know what you mean now ;)    what i was meaning by Alternative Alien Movie.  Is not a Remake of Alien or such, but just more Alternative Alien Franchise movies, that dont have to say follow Ripleys Story... or Davids.

So for Example.... Alien Isolation is such a Alternative Story.   Likewise the Various Novels.... say for example. Alien: The Cold Forge

So its like suggesting if we had Movies instead of Novels, but in a way that the Story/Plot does-not conflict with any of the Franchise Movies.   I will have to read some of the Novels.... the only Ones i ever had are ALIEN and ALIENS as in Official Novel of the Movie..  but that was many years ago.

I have Alien Covenant Origins but i misplaced it and had yet to read it.  So i will have to read some of the other Novels and just enjoy or try to enjoy them for what they are, i dont have to consider them Canon.

Certainly Leto...

We can introduce Engineers in a Alternative Alien Movie or sequel to one, this could then get Fans Interested in the Engineers, and then they could go and do a Expanded Engineers Franchise that does-not have to be about Xenomorphs.

"I can't imagine how Alternate ALIEN movie can be a precursor to Alien: Resurrection? I mean - it's Queen/Aliens route, not Alien."

With the Example above i was thinking its open to explore a connection.

By that Alternative Movie (1)  (Path 2) could cover a return to LV-426 and obtain the Derelict, which could be like a Blomkamp Idea meets Colonial Marines, as in they Discover and Dig Up the Derelict and then Erect a Hanger Around it, and the END of this Movie we see LV-426 Destroyed like the Death Star in Star Wars.

The Connection to Alien Resurrection is this shows us 100% WHY it was 200 years after Aliens and WHY they had to resort to Clone Ripley... so we get none of the could the Derelict had Survived.

Alternatively Alternative Movie (1)  (Path 1) could END with a Sequel  (Alternative Movie (2)) to these Events, where they still have a Specimen, or obtain one.  But then at the END of this one we are shown the Specimens are Destroyed, this giving us insight to WHY they had to Clone Ripley in Alien Resurrection.

Alternatively the other route to Alternative Movie (2) (Path 3) would be a Sequel or Parallel Story to Alien Resurrection, like what happened to Ripley 7 Queen could this had been Shipped to another place for Study?  or Alternatively is there something to be Salvaged from the Auriga?  And so would not connect to Alternative Movie (1)  those Arrows are only to show Potential Routes

I had a few years ago came up with 4 Alternative Alien Movies as such.

*Parallel Movie to Alien Resurrection were a sample of Ripley 8 DNA and the Failed Ripley 7 Queen are shipped off to a Outpost near Jupiter.

*Sequel to Alien Resurrection, were Ripley 8 begins to Evolve into a Hybrid (her Xeno DNA overtaking her Human) so she is taken to a place by Call where some Autons can Save her... but they instead use her to Produce Xenomorph Hybrids.

*Alternative Movie where a Human Mining Colony are struggling to Mine through a New Mineral so they send in for a more Powerful Drill, this uncovers a Cavern with some Ancient Related Xenomorph Beast and latter a Engineer Ship... this was intended to kind of tease where the Engineers uncovered a Organism they then used to Re-Engineer into the Xenomorph.

*The USCSS Patna leaves Empty Handed but they do have the Face Hugger that Infected Ripley and they Experiment with this, and create a Hybrid.

Those were 4 Stories i had began to a degree... but abandoned... the Ripley 8 one i had the other month came up with a Alternative that will bring back Newt, and change the Plot a bit...

I get loads of ideas in the Franchise as far as a Broad Synopsis and Plot Points the Movie idea would follow, but then i dont get FAR as far as to Flesh them out beyond say a 4-5 Page Idea.

"we can return to a story that resembles with Prometheus 2, keeping always in mind David's closure."

I think this would be HARD... because a we are on a Prequel Route to ALIEN, it seems the Plan is to drive us to ALIEN and show the Events of HOW/WHEN it is David's Xenomorphs end up on the Derelict.... which means its Expected to be about Xenomorphs, and anything that does-not be about them too much, could be a Distraction.

Going the Route of Alien Covenant to bring back the Xenomorph and give the Answers, has Cursed/Shackled the Prometheus Franchise, its now expected to be about the Xenomorph.

A Alien Covenant 2 that has as much Xenomorph/Answers as Prometheus could be Risky... if this Bombs, then how do they then make a Sequel that would lead to the Xenomorph and those Eggs in ALIEN?

So any sequel would have to touch upon the Xenomorph to at least the extent that Alien Covenant had done, i feel any less could potentially put fans who want Xenomorphs off, and its those Fans who make them the $$$$

In Hindsight we should have done a Prometheus Sequel that would go back to LV-223 and be more Alieny but could have New Monsters, but give more clues to Alien to appease the Fans.

Then a Alternative Sequel could have gone off to a VERY FAR place with David and Dr Shaw and not be Shackled down to the ALIEN Franchise.

I think Ridley Scott was VERY passionate about the Prequels, as indeed he decided to Direct a Prometheus Sequel, instead of a Blade Runner One.

I think RS wanted to expand beyond Xenomorphs in the Franchise, but with Alien Covenant, it kind of limited this Scope as its Expected to be about Xenomorphs now, but it seems even as of Alien Covenant we see RS had some Big Plans to even go past 2-3 more Prequels.

We have to wonder what his War of the Worlds comment was about, but in part it was maybe a tongue in cheek comments towards FOX, suggesting that RS felt that he could really take the Franchise Places that would span Beyond a few Movies.

His Age could be a Problem, you can be sure that as he had taken his Final Shot during Shooting for Alien Covenant, that he would have been Hopeful to push out 1-2 more Movies within 5 Years after wrapping up on Alien Covenant.

so had things gone to plan and say Alien Covenant made $350-400M instead of $240M at the Box Office, then its likely we would have had a Sequel THIS Year with another in 2-3 years...

The Disappointment of Alien Covenant both Financially and Critically and the Take Over Talks, really placed a Sequel in LIMBO!

Micheal Fassbenders AGE is also a concern, because the Longer any Sequels that will Feature him take to be made, the Harder it would be for him to pull off being a 35 Year Old Looking Humanoid... 

So ideally i bet RS thought that after Alien Covenant they would be making another TWO movies over a say 5 year Period.... but NOW we are in Limbo.

I would assume IF they had plans to release another Movie in the next 2 years then ALIEN DAY 2019 would have seen them Tease Something... 

I dont really see anything Concrete at the Moment, surely the Plans was there, FOX was considering a TV Series but Ridley Scott and  Emma Watts wanted to carry on with the Prequels.... and it seems things had began to happen as far as Ideas and Plans...  

But it seems Production was not close, in part due to the Impending Take Over, so it will be a Waiting Game to see when Disney decide to Green Light any Alien Movie.

Disney own the Franchise, the Franchise makes Money from NOT only Movies, and they can make Money from these other Formats in the Mean Time...

So they would not be in any Rush..... which the longer its left the less likely or harder it would be to Cover David.

This is not a Problem for Blomkamps Alien 5, as if this was to not be made until 5 years Time, as they just have his Alien 3 Reboot set 30 Years after ALIENS... as opposed to 20 years after as Blomkamp had intended.

I have a feeling that the NEXT movie we will see would be a Blomkamp/Cameron one be it a Reboot of Alien 3 or just using his ideas in a NEW Alien Movie. (No Ripley etc).  As i think Disney would see this as a SAFE BET.

@SuperBerserker

I think you raise some interesting points, Ridley Scott has been accused of NOT being a Cameron Fan, but i think he respects him as a Director and he had even said the Queen made Sense and he did-not seem to dislike Aliens.

I think a lot of RS comments about the Shoot-Em-Up aspect is that he feels there is only so many Times you can go over and keep making such Movies, which some may agree with and so may not.  I think he has a point, you have to change things a bit or you could end up just having a Starship Troopers with Xenomorphs.

I think Ridley Scott does have a habit of making some Contradicting comments so you can never be 100% sure what his Real Stance would be.  I think he certainly was Frustrated at HOW the sequel to ALIEN came about, he in part viewed Alien as a Stand Alone and thought when you do a Sequel you run the Risk of NEVER being as close to the Original.... Aliens was on of the Rare Occasions where a Sequel was actually Pretty Good.

I think its mainly as RS had a certain idea about what the Xenomorph was and would be at that time, and his sequel  would have just been Different, it seemed he wanted the Xenomorph to be portrayed as Very Intelligent and also wanted to go off to a Very Alien world...

Things happen in the Industry and so Directors sometimes have NO input on the Sequels... the same reason that Cameron was disappointed in HOW we saw Hicks, Newt and Ripley Killed off in Aliens...  but it has to be Accepted, like the Queen has to be.   Unless a Director can produce Multiple Sequels then things WILL change out of their hands, and even when a Director gets to do Back-to-Back Movies sometimes Changes happen due to what the Studio want (Alien Covenant).

"But for me it is well explained that he wants us to forget Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection."

I dont think he was a Fan of Alien Resurrection, he definitely thought the AVP idea was silly but then he claims he has NOT seen them....   But the point you RAISE, may be very very Valid!

During the Release of Alien Covenant, he commented on how you could go a Few more Rounds with the Xenomorph but you had to EVOLVE him, he then mentioned he could see Multiple Sequels to Alien Covenant.... AND.... the Biggest Thing he said was that you could BRING BACK Ripley, you could De-Age Her!

This is a ODD comment to make....  in what Context would you bring her back?  a Prequel to ALIEN?  Doubt It... a Sequel to Aliens and so doing a Blomkamp to Alien 3?

Or could this comment be a indication that RS would attempt to make his OWN sequel to ALIEN and bring back Ripley and thus doing a Blomkamp to Aliens!  This would be a Mistake!

I personally do think there is NOT a lot you can do with the Xenomorph in Context to this Queen that Lays Eggs that Produces Xenomorphs....  i think if your going to make 2-3 more Alien Movies that would be about the Queen, then you have to try and change things a bit..  Offer Evolution to the Appearance, Procreation or the Mindset of the Species.

Alien Resurrection attempted this with the Hybrid as in NewBorn but this never went down too well.  some Fans would be Happy to have Multiple Alien Movies that dont mess with and keep to the same Queen, Eggs and Xenomorph Formula...     I think IF we kept to this Trope/Aspect then they have to try and do something NEW as far as the Human Interaction/Discovery and Agenda of the Xenomorph, as the Company uses Unaware groups of Humans to obtain a Xenomorph and then a Hero/Heroin comes to Save the Day is something i think we cant keep repeating.

We NEVER saw what the companies managed to achieve, in Alien Resurrection we got the closest but NO Soon as they used the Prisoner Hosts to Harvest some Xenomorphs... things went to POT!

It would be interesting to wonder what happens if they Successfully manage to Contain the Specimens, what the Plans Next?   Just to see how they react and then deem them a Good Weapon and then just Take a Queens Eggs to be Stored as a Bio-Weapon.

Or could they attempt to Experiment and Harness the Xenomorph in other ways?

I think you do need to try and change things and EVOLVE the Xenomorph or the Intention for wanting them.  And Experimenting on them could become a Hubris if say the Xenomorphs Evolve.

I think another way to look at this would be to ask the Fans...

What would have happened if Ripley, Hicks, Newt had Never made it off LV-426... they was all Killed Off, like Shortly after Newt got Abducted?

What becomes of the Xenomorph Hive Colony?

What Happens after 5, 10, 25, 50 years?

Are the Xenomorphs Stranded their Until someone Foolish Turns up?, would the Xenomorphs need Hundreds of Hosts to be able to Expand their Hive to something Massive?

In part RS ideas back in 1979 was that the Xenomorph would be Capable of more than we see in the Alien Franchise.    But then killing off our Ripley and having the Xenomorph imitate her as Bait would have lead to a Different kind of Franchise, and one that would have to START again to introduce Lead Characters... so i think ALIENS was the right move.

I do however think you need to Change things and NOT stick to the same kind of Xenomorph over and over, but i understand some would not be a Fan of this.

IgnorantGuy, What can i say? It's a non mathematical forecast of mine, but it's more than a feeling. I think that  more than Two yearS could be too late for Ridley Scott, but we never know. The "break even" profit of Alien covenant froze it for a while, but it's a good movie, even though has its flaws. Prometheus has lots of potential and people want to watch engineers on the big screen. 20th Century Fox was misconducted by some fans and we hadn't Prometheus 2, paradise Lost. Now, after the combined reassessment between Ridley Scott and Disney, we can return to a story that resembles with Prometheus 2, keeping always in mind David's closure.

Ridley Scott is a Legend in the art of directing, he is the author of alien 1979 and that's important for Disney.

@BigDave I simply think that the main focus for a new Xenomorph movie to achieve success is with a balance between everything that has already been addressed in this universe. As you yourself mentioned the base fan is split. Some like Xenomorph more in the classic style, like an unknown and horrifying creature, others already prefer them as more animalistic creatures we saw in James Cameron's Aliens and others prefer the more philosophical side that Prometheus and Covenant approached. I simply like everything that is related to Xenomorph. What bothers me is the confusing way in which Scott has been trying to approach the creature in recent films. I agree to focus the egg cycle. But that's what makes it iconic! As I mentioned earlier, I see him taking a lot to the personal side and this ends up reflecting in the movies. It's clear he never liked what Cameron did in Aliens! And it is precisely on account of this that in both Prometheus and Covenant he attempts to address the birth of Xenormph in many other ways. But for those who do not know the fray and these details as we fans, it is not very clear. But for me it is well explained that he wants us to forget Aliens, Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection. But it is inevitable, every movie has its positives and negatives, but still they are good movies.

setaverde did you notice that the sequel is in the scripting phase which was since Alien Covenant according to Scott himself? Why do you think It will be released in 2 years?

And what you what is so expensive that I wonder why would anybody take such a gamble judging by the movie going trends.

BigDave, i think it's going to happen relatively soon (2 yearS). Ridley Scott has to be fast, because he has 82 yearS old. Alien is his masterpiece and Prometheus, alien covenant, the new alien film and alien 1979 are his legacy. He Gave priority to alien covenant instead of Blade Runner 2049, being ONLY an executive producer. Well, he was more than that, but he didn't want to direct it. In the new alien movie, is Simple. He has to give much more time on screen to the engineers. I want to watch their space ships travelling in space. The first 20/30 minutes have to be the engineers arriving, or not, to origae 6. I would love to watch the Deacon, captured on planet 4, used like a weapon by the engineers. How is the chain of commmand of the engineers?  I want to see a  magnificent army of engineers. 

I hope that David creates a circus of horrors. More than One Queen, lots of  Queens,vicious beasts that inject, inside the host, small eggs of completely formed xenomorphs that grow in a Blink of an eye. This new monsters are more intelligent and hard to kill

Good tree.

I can't imagine how Alternate ALIEN movie can be a precursor to Alien: Resurrection? I mean - it's Queen/Aliens route, not Alien.

The Franchise does-not have to be Limited to the Path of Alien

Why not create a new IP for new creatures?

Then WHY-NOT just have a Clean Slate...

I like this idea. It will not necessarily be a hard reboot or non-connected route. No. Again, Godzilla for example. Mostly Godzilla films used only the first film as base. This is work. With Alien franchise, it can be a soft reboot route with Alien/Aliens/Prometheus.

Do you guys think something like this should be the best route to go... a Clean Unrelated (to a degree) Slate?

Sometimes you just need to plant a new tree. :)

the Xenomorph  (or similar) should be at the Forefront of a ALIEN based Franchise. 

Exactly. This is called Alien, eventually. Engineer and other races or species is just a... sauce, seasoning for Alien. We can get a film about Engineer's civilization, but Alien should be placed in the center.

The Anthology is all that is needed really. The prequels sort of ruined it for me in a way. I think it is ok to explore the Engieers but we need to get back to the grittiness, the low fi and overall suspense. I would include AVP into the mix. 

Prometheus had some great ideas, but they needed more time to get the story accross. 

I think its a waiting Game.... i am surprised nothing was teased on Alien Day, if they are under work on something.

I think Once Work is underway/finished and certainly during Press Interviews for his Raised by Wolves TV Series, i think by then if he is working on a Alien Covenant Sequel we should then get some more Light on the Subject.

The last we heard about any Sequel Officially, was that they are working on one, and they have the Script being Written/Near Finished (Certainly as far as Basics) for the Sequel.  With RS talking about the Project being something that would NOT be about the Xenomorph but about AI and what Kind of World it is that David would Create/Build.

He also said that where ever David is off too, there would be 3-4 incoming Parties of which ONE would be the Engineers who return to Planet 4 and Discovery what has been done and would be looking for the Culprit.  He also at Interviews around this time, suggested that he felt there could be 5-6 Sequels and if given the Chance he would like to take the Franchise to War of the Worlds Territory.

But with the Disappointment of Alien Covenant and impending Disney Take Over (inc Bids from Comcast)  the Prequels had been placed on HOLD.

These latest interviews/articles seem to hint that RS is working on a AC2, and the other one from the other day brings up about how RS feels you have to do something different, and not repeat the same thing over and over, and so you have to Evolve the Beast and introduce different Procreation and not rely on Nostelgia.

This matches what he had said just after the Release of Alien Covenant, where then he said you could go a Few More rounds with the Beast but you have to EVOLVE him, the Franchise has to be about HIM.

But one of the last things he said about the Franchise a number of Months back, was that he felt he was ahead of the Game/Curve with Prometheus and appeared to not be so impressed with the Xenomorph direction.

I think its a case of a Waiting Game..... surely once Raised by Wolves and Merlin are done, maybe RS would talk about the Future of the Alien Franchise/Prequels... we shall have to wait and see.

Such Anthology Movies could be very ALIEN but they could also try something different, but would likely have to be about Xenomorph/Black Goo or Related.

There are Avenues for such Movies....

What became of LV-426 after the USCSS Patna failed to obtain the Specimen (Queen) from Ripley?  Do they ever go back to LV-426 is Nothing Ever Salvageable?

What happened to every Specimen from USM Auriga? Did anything Survive the Crash/Destruction? and what did they do with Failed Ripley 7 Clones Queen?

These are just TWO examples....

I think Blomkamps Alien 5 Plot likewise could work, if they go the route of it NOT having to resurrect/bring back any of the Old Cast... previously to meeting Miss Weaver on the Set of Chappie... Blomkamps Alien 5 never had Ripley, Hicks or Newt.

IF we assume David is the Creator of the Xenomorph, then by the Time of ALIEN is the Derelict the ONLY source to his Experiments/Creation, so nothing can be had on Planet 4, Origae-6 or LV-223?

So we dont have to follow the Path of what David does next, or what happens to Ripley next... the Xenomorph  (or similar) should be at the Forefront of a ALIEN based Franchise.  (not inc expanded route to Prometheus).

@Leto

I think certainly the Next attempt at a Alien Movie would have to be some what of a Finanical Sucsess, as Disney are NOT in the game of Losing Money, and the Franchise is in a Predicament at Present as far as HOW to proceed. They appear to NOT be rushing in with another Movie and taking a Cautious Approach, and if the Next ALIEN movie proves to Disappoint then it would put the Future of the Franchise in Doubt, we only have to see Disneys Response to Han Solo a Star Wars Story and then abandoning any Spin-Offs and only concentrating on the Skywalker Saga.

And so in context to that they may consider that the ALIEN Franchise has to be about the Xenomorph and also we cant rule out a Ripley Return.    If they took such a Route and THIS failed to do well, then i think it would be Dead in the Water because this in affect would be the Nostalgia Trump Card.

Regarding the EDIT of Prometheus, the Evolution from Alien Engineers to Paradise became a bit more Ambiguous, and to a degree Prometheus was a little more Ambiguous than Lindeloffs Paradise Draft.  It appeared Lindelof was a Fan of keeping some things a Mystery and Ridley Scott went along with it.

But while Prometheus was a bit of a Mystery, certainly some of the scenes that were CUT did provide more answers to a degree.  The Engineer Scenes especially, but these were CUT in part due to Ridley Scott (maybe also the Studio) seeing the Fight Scene with Dr Shaw as making the Engineer look a lot Less of a Threat and so they wanted the Engineers to be portrayed as just Aggressive Muther Truckers!

Once they Re-shot a Shorter Scene with the Engineer having his Burns Make Up Applied... and accepting this as the Scene to USE, then it meant they had to CUT a number of Scenes that featured the Engineer. So we simply saw the Ship Crash (Juggernaught) then the Engineer just Enter the Life-Boat and Go Postal..   I will add that RS did say that some Scenes were CUT because he felt they gave away too much about the Engineers...  Sadly Alien Covenant never really provided anything more about them.  Apart from a Few More Questions...

Some Scenes also get CUT for Pacing and to make it to the Theatrical Running Time Restraints set by the Studio.

Back to HOW it was intended that Prometheus was to give us more about the Engineers in a Sequel, it appeared this was the case but then we got Alien Covenant which gave less about them as was just about Spoon Feeding the Xenomorph Origins and about David.   This in part is down to the Studio, it appears RS may not have been a Fan of this Change of Direction to a Degree.

Regarding the Neomorph, totally agree it was something a bit Fresh, i feel they should have been more about these and ONLY had One Xenomorph for the Last Act.  There are ways to Evolve the Organism and we also have to not be Constrained to just the Xenomorph.

There are potentially many types of MORPH if you would, the Variants in the Alien Franchise are all very related, then we have the Deacon and Neomorphs, and there could be many more that we could be introduced to.

We never got to see the Ultramorph and so we could explore something like this that is more Evolved/Intelligent, Certainly.

@RickT

This is a continuation to the last thing i put, because indeed there is quite a bit we can do with Various Forms of Monsters/Horrors that are related to those Experiments on LV-223 and the Origins of these Experiments.

I think a Problem we have with the Prequels is that we are on a Direct Prequel route, or so it seems where it appears that if it was NOT for David being put back together then we would have NO Xenomorph Eggs on LV-426.

I think as such then any Movie Series that will take us to ALIEN would be expected to be about the Xenomorph to a extent, any Movie that does-not feature them or something close would surely NOT appease many Fans... This Limits  the Freedom of the Prequels as the Main Thing that Fans are expecting is HOW/WHEN those Eggs get on the Derelict, and seeing Xenomorphs play a Role.... i think the Engineers could make a Return and they would surely be the Logical Way to bring the Derelict into play... i just think that they would have to be a PLOT Device, and we would see them Face Off against any Horrors that David Creates or Attempt to take Davids Horrors and Evolve them.

By that i dont think Fans would want to discover more about the Engineers, apart from HOW it connects to the Xenomorph and Alien, and the same goes for David and what ever he does next, it would be expected to mainly be about HOW does Davids Creation (Xenomorph) become Evolved and END UP on the Derelict.. anything else would be a Distraction.  So David and Engineers would have to involve being connected to HOW the Xenomorph will Evolve.  As being about David and Engineers with NO connections to Xenomorphs or Similar would be risky.

I am not suggesting the Movie would have to be all about the Xenomorph, or Feature as much as in the Alien Franchise, as it appears the Plans would be more than just ONE more Movie to ALIEN. 

I just FEEL it would have to be more related to Xenomorphs than Prometheus was... they can try some New Things but i think it would have to connect to Davids Experiments or Feature a Similar Monster, and Set-Up to seeing more of them in the Next Movie after.

This is interesting.  What if thru their experiments the Engineers created something that hasn't been seen yet.  A creature they feared (the scene in Prometheus where the Engineers are running away from something).  Maybe its ruthless and more intelligent.  Now assume David thru his tests on Covenant creates something he can't control and that scares him.  This could bring together David, the Engineers, the survivors of the Convenant and a possible rescue mission from Earth to battle the new creature.  Along the way you would understand more of the Engineers, the agenda of the creature  and maybe what the people on Earth know that the members of Covenant don't know.  

BigDave

With Respect... i think this depends what you mean by SUCCESS?

Financially?  Yeah i think such a route may have more chance of being a SAFE-BET but if they go for such a route and it BOMBS... then it may leave the Franchise Dead in the Water!

YES! Alien franchise NEED a film with financical success! Without financical success this franchise, as you said, dead in water.

About genius ideas. I think Ridley has them, but he has to stay away from the role of director. Awkward mess with questionable decisions. Just look at the cut scenes from Prometheus - they are better than final cut! Better. But Ridley cut them, because MYSTERY FOR MYSTERY.

BtW - from Fire & Stone we learned about Engineers more than from Prometheus + Covenant.

But Prometheus Evolved into something that was to STEER away from ALIEN and give us something more about the Engineers, the Problem was that Prometheus...

...in that it didn't give us something more about the Engineers.

However i DONT think its necessary to BRING back Ripley and the Gang to cover such things, as Blomkamps ideas originally never had RIPLEY and the Gang ;)

Unless they want to apply Blomkamps ideas in context to a Direct Sequel to Alien Resurrection ;)

Relax. Even with ignoring "Ripley and the Gang", in any case, the film will never be AR sequel. Because no one will go to the cinema to see the sequel to the worst Alien film.

---

I like neomorphs. I think, they a really new new branch on alien tree.

BigDave

How can you make them more Sinister?  Maybe by these.

*Introduce the Xenomorph as more Intelligent and having more than just a Natural Instinct to what they do

&

But i DONT think we could go this route, because in Alien we are told the Xenomorph is Unclouded by such Emotions and potential for cruelty... and in Aliens the Xenomorph is just some Organism that has only the Agenda to Procreate

Easy. Look.

Neomorphs are almost animal beasts.

Xenomorphs are half-human beasts. With some intelligence, but still wild.

And...

Ultramorphs are (superior) human/engineer beast (or no more beast). With advanced intelligence. Fast learner and able to use some humans/engineers technology. BUUUT with sinister and sadistic mind! This is what I call - evolve.

"I like the Xeno but it isn't scary anymore. The neomorph just looked stupid."

I agree the Xenomorph has been diluted a little..... its a case of showing the Beast Less, more like in Alien, you maybe still cant bring back the Horror, only via Jump Scares and a bit of Tense Atmosphere from NOT knowing where the Beast will come from Next!

So  the way to Elevate that has to be explore a Sinister Agenda behind it, as more Blood and Guts is not going to work.

How can you make them more Sinister?  Maybe by these.

*Introduce the Xenomorph as more Intelligent and having more than just a Natural Instinct to what they do, LIONS are kinda Scary, but they do what they do as a Natural Reaction, there is NO Sinister Motive to them, the same is for the Mosquito and the Diseases they Spread.  Humans are more Sinister there have been many things that Humans have done that are not Natural Instinct but Cruelty and Wicked... so having a more Intelligent Xenomorph with more conscious could work.   But i DONT think we could go this route, because in Alien we are told the Xenomorph is Unclouded by such Emotions and potential for cruelty... and in Aliens the Xenomorph is just some Organism that has only the Agenda to Procreate and so are NO more Sinister than say the Parasitoid Wasps who while it may be Disturbing, they are ONLY doing what they do Naturally by Instinct and not Malicious Intent

*Introduce a more Sinister Agenda to the Engineers as far as WHY we would be used to Host such Horrific Experiments.   This is something that could have been done when Dr Shaw goes in search of GOD and discovers a more Sinister Truth that shows there is NO God of her Faith, the Creators are Evil SOB's with a Sinister Agenda for the Procreation of Horrific things.

*Introduce a New Species/Race who once used Engineers for some Sinister Agenda as discussed in the previous TWO ways to explore a more Sinister Motive.

The ONLY more clear Sinister Motive we see really is via the Company and what lengths it would go to obtain the Xenomorph with NO regards for Innocent/Unsuspecting Humans.

I think this in PART is why the David as the Creator was chosen as a Plot U-Turn, it touches upon Hubris that the Prometheus Themes were about... it shows that in Hubris that Creating a AI that becomes Sentient, and Feels Unloved/Unwanted and then Loathes Mankind, would then go on to USE the Secrets of the Engineers to Create such a Horrific Bio-Weapon!

I think this Sinister Plot Turn is what they felt could Elevate the Xenomorph to be more Sinister, but instead such a Plot Twist has only Upset Fans who think it makes the Xenomorph FAR less ALIEN and only Davids Agenda and Purpose as the Sinister part of the Xenomorph.

Regarding the NEOMORPH

I feel the Organism was interesting, I feel some of the Man in a Suit shots were not Too Great and some of the CGI especially in the Oram Kills the Neomorph Scene were NOT that Great.

The Idea/Concept i felt was not bad... some of the Execution was not Great though, but the same can be said for the Protomorph (Xenomorph) too...

Saying that the Deacon was also NOT the greatest MORPH, and we could go on about the NewBorn too... but there is potential to introduce New MORPHS that are Scary and Well Executed.  Some Concepts are Great, some have been well ERM so so!

@Leto

Forgive me if i misunderstand your comment, it could be lost in translation a little.

I think the Prequel Route was something that Ridley Scott felt had to be done, because the Xenomorph Origin and Who the Space Jockey was, were things that NONE of the other Movies Answered...    Was Aliens what Ridley Scott what have done?  Likely Not...  so the Franchise moved on, it introduced certain things (Queen), but the Franchise did-not touch upon the Origins of the Xenomorph and who the Space Jockey was and WHY he had that Cargo.  So exploring these are something that Ridley Scott could do and put his own Stamp on HOW to explore them.

He then felt (after Discussion with some in the Studio) that you DONT have to have the Xenomorph, and some Mystery is best kept, but the Franchise as far as the Space Jockey Race was something that was interesting and NEW to expand upon.

You could say now we are in a certain prequel route (Alien Covenant) there is Nothing as far as Great Ideas that can expand from this.... While Alien Covenant kind of Puts the Lid on the Scope of Prometheus as far as Ideas... the Limitation is from going for a Direct Prequel to get us to the Derelict and those Eggs.

I think there is Limits to how far you can continue with the Xenomorph, and Queen and Company wants the Bio-Weapon..... you can go this route again but you have to try and change things a little.

I think that Evolving the Xenomorph or Attempting to could be something to explore, and certainly showing us Alternatives and different ways to Procreate could be something to  maybe ADD some depth to the Xenomorph, i dont think you can have MANY ideas about this.

Yet the Engineers Plot opens up a much Greater Scope of Ideas.

I will add some of the comments about a Alien Covenant Sequel could offer something different, but NOW we are in a Prequel Route that surely will explain HOW/WHEN those Eggs get on the Derelict, then exploring things in DEPTH that Steer Away or dont cover Xenomorphs would be seen as a Distraction from the Expected Prequel Path.

Regarding the OT....

I agree with what Ridley Scott was saying, its a bit ambiguous to what he could be on about.. But to me it seems that he thinks there is ONLY so many times you can go back to the Traditional Xenomorph before it gets Repetitive, we have seen the Xenomorph over and over in various formats (Movies, Books, Comics, Video Games) and especially the Cameron's Queen route...

But this route is what made the Franchise as Iconic, but because we have seen this in Various Mediums, its a case of you have to be Careful HOW you Handle/Cover it

AVP for Example... the AVP Franchise has some Potential, some of the Video Games/Comics are a Format for a Good Popcorn Action/Horror (more so Action) and i think we can agree that the AVP Movie was NOT the best way to had used those Licenses.... a more Video Game/Comic Time-Line of say 2200-2300 would have worked better.

So while a AVP movie could have been better if it was more like based in the Alien Franchise/Colonial Marines Time-Line, The AVP Movie 2004 was by NO means as BAD as the AVPR Movie that Followed... so what i am saying is if you continue with the Aliens Formula or even ALIEN then you have to be Careful because your only a FEW Poor Efforts away from Degrading the Xenomorph to a JOKE!

Freddy was Scary, Jason too... but repeating those over and over and then with a number of POOR sequels has reduced them to a JOKE of sorts... The same could happen to the Xenomorph if we continue and make same old over and over...

What i am saying is 1-2 more Xenomorph Movies where things dont change much from the Franchise is something that could work or not, but going 3, 4 of the same could well make the Franchise Stale.... and Xenomorph just not as Iconic...

So i think RS was thinking that you have to EVOLVE the Xenomorph, offer different Variants, New Ways of Procreation than keeping to say the Queen and Eggs route.

I also think he sees the Franchise has NOT having to be and revolve around those Eggs on the Derelict, the Queen and certainly Characters like Ripley etc...

There is a LOT more that you could do and introduce than just Eggs and Xenomorphs.

"I like David as an antagonist, but an Alien movie without Xeno does not seem to be the right one, since Prometheus's main criticism was precisely the absence of the creature"

To a Degree yes, as a ALIEN Prequel there was some expectation of seeing the Xenomorph or at least something similar, and having more clues to the Xenomorph Origins...

But Prometheus Evolved into something that was to STEER away from ALIEN and give us something more about the Engineers, the Problem was that Prometheus should have been used as a Bridge to ALIEN and then Something New, and it should have offered something more than Zombie Fifield, Milburn Space Cobra Face Rape and the Deacon which we did not see what happens NEXT and more so HOW all these more clearly connect to the Xenomorph.

Prometheus had other Flaws, but the Studio thought that NOT having Xenomorphs and NOT giving a clear answer to those Eggs and thus a Direct Prequel was something they should have DONE... and hence we get Alien Covenant.

I will add SuperBerserker that i do feel Disney would more cater for the Action Type Movies, that follow a lot of the same Tropes that the Comics and Video Games (and some expanded Novels) would cater for..   So that GUN wielding Engineer could be something they would be a FAN of doing as opposed to the Creators and all the Philosophical/Chariots of the Gods like Plot/Story.

I think the Problem is the Fanbase does have different likes/dislikes and the more Cameron's Aliens Fans, would like to see Engineers explored more in a way like the Comic Books had done, where for the Most part it would be seeing these beings Rock Up, with their Superior Strength and Technology and Kick Ass, which would maybe NOT make them much different to the Predators. (in how they are shown for the most part).

some Prometheus Fans would want to go more deeper than just Engineers as Advanced Ancient Race with Bio-Mechanical Technology/Weapons who go around Creating and Unleashing Horrific Xenomorph like Monsters on Mankind. (maybe others too).

Its a case of finding a Balance... or making TWO variants of the Franchise, one to Cater for Prometheus Fans, and one to Cater for a more Action Based Fanbase (Aliens and Alien Resurrection).

I think it would be HARSH to Sacrifice One Type of Fans Wishes/Wants/Likes, well as in a Selection who would want more Action Like Movies with a BIT of the Prometheus Themes,  compared to some who would want to see the more Space Exploration and Philosophical Themes but Get Rid of the Action/Xenomorph.

Can you find the Balance?

Can they attempt to Offer Alternative Directions that are connected but one Goes for more Action/Xenomorph, while the other goes off to explore Something Different?

"For me, still the way to success is what Neil was plotting for '' Alien 5 ''

With Respect... i think this depends what you mean by SUCCESS?

Financially?  Yeah i think such a route may have more chance of being a SAFE-BET but if they go for such a route and it BOMBS... then it may leave the Franchise Dead in the Water!

Personally... i think there is only so many times you can go and give a Aliens/Alien Resurrection type Movie, before it could become Stale... maybe NOT for some Fans, but i feel we have seen this Kind of Stuff done over and over in Comics, Games and some Expanded Novels.

This does-not mean such a Movie would not SELL, i think you can go a round or TWO more with such a Movie, as long as you TRY and do something a bit different.   As the Company or Group of Humans Discover Eggs, or a Queen and then we reveal the Company wishes to obtain a Queen Trope is something i DONT think we can continue with over and over.

Some of Blomkamps ideas do appear to indicate different variants of the Xenomorph, Experimentations, Hybrids/Mutants and a Fusing of Human and Engineer Technology, so YES i think such things could WORK..

However i DONT think its necessary to BRING back Ripley and the Gang to cover such things, as Blomkamps ideas originally never had RIPLEY and the Gang ;)

Unless they want to apply Blomkamps ideas in context to a Direct Sequel to Alien Resurrection ;)

@Spike's Ghost

Unfortunately i dont think we shall see Dr Shaw in Future, unless David has some of her Memories and Implants them into another Body... could he Clone Her?  Who knows.

What we have to consider is WHAT is there to cover in regards to Dr Shaw, seem she NEVER got to meet any Engineers and get her Answers... but i think there is a LOT more to her FATE than just Ending Up Dead and Experimented on/Harvested for Eggs.

If we consider we have Prometheus and we have Alien Covenant, there is a series of Events between these that relate to Dr Shaw and David which the Crossing was a Snippet of...

The End of Prometheus we see Dr Shaw has collected Davids Body/Head she is seen heading to another Temple Complex on the ATV....   The Reason?  To get another SHIP to leave this Place (LV-223)

The Crossing confirms to us that they left LV-223 but the Ship was Floating through Space, David/Dr Shaw had left LV-223 but they had NOT set course for Anywhere else...  We can assume that David is playing a Game of Cat and Mouse, he has got Dr Shaw off that Rock (LV-223) but he WONT take her to Paradise unless she puts him back TOGETHER... 

We can see that from Dr Shaw's Hair Length that she had spent a Good 6-10 Months on the Juggernaught, Pondering what to do, she has to know ONCE she attaches David's Head he could be Dangerous... but over TIME he manages to Persuade her and they form a Better Bond.

Also of Note is that Dr Shaw had Salvaged a Number of things from the Prometheus, likely from the Life-Boat before they departed (Bed, Tools to Repair David, the Flare Gun among other things).

We get to the Point where Dr Shaw is in Cryo-Sleep and then David is FREE to do what he wants where he LEARNS the Ways of the Engineers, and this maybe in part Helps him to decide to Bombard the Engineers (he likely also wants to Guarantee his Survival and Dr Shaw's).

Following this we have a LONG period of Time after the Bombardment until the Covenant Ship arrives, and in these Near 10 Years we see that David has Experimented on and Studied with Various Life on the Planet, he has discovered Engineers and Infants that likely was NOT affected by the Bombardment and Subjected them to Torture and Experiments, before there had to come a TIME when he had to USE her (Dr Shaw) for his Experiments to End Up with those Eggs.

These Events could make a NOVEL but i am not sure there is enough to make a Movie, certainly one that would Entertain a lot of Fans... some would find it interesting though (myself for example) depending on HOW this is Covered.

I have a Few Theories to WHAT may have transpired that could maybe make a Decent Novel as far as a PLOT to follow.  But this would take the TOPIC to Off Topic... so my reply here is just in regards to Dr Shaw as in YES there is a Story to be TOLD and it wont really be quite as Deep as Potentially a Prometheus 2 could have been.... but still could have been some interaction between Dr Shaw and Engineers, in a (Discovery of what David is doing, and attempt to rescue some Engineers from him kinda Plot).

I could start a New Topic on this, and put what way i would explore such a The Crossing Story.

I like the Xeno but it isn't scary anymore. The neomorph just looked stupid. The series needs that sense of fear and dread that has been unseen since the Quadrilogy. David had that creepiness that is excellent but maybe we need sinister Engineers with unexpected tricks up their sleeves. WY should not be ignored either. I agree that the Engineer home planet scene was great but it only left more questions.

Above picture is a good example of why studios should not listen to the fans.

That is even worse than AvP.

Still the best way is to focus on Xeno to take this image of "Alien films without Xenos", but also to put the Enginners. But precisely as it is in Prometheus - Fire and Stone.

I agree with the idea of evolving the franchise or Xeno himself. But I also see that Ridley takes this franchise very personally, many elements that are present in these latest films (Prometheus and Alien Covenant) do not follow the recipe of the original films. I like David as an antagonist, but an Alien movie without Xeno does not seem to be the right one, since Prometheus's main criticism was precisely the absence of the creature and Covenant's blurring of it. For me, still the way to success is what Neil was plotting for '' Alien 5 ''.

I'm really glad there are discussions about future films, but it doesn't actually state that Sir Ridley is involved in those discussions.

It's just Ridley being Ridley, going off at tangents, repeating stuff he's said before, or changing what he's said before!

God bless him! :)

Sir Ridley states there are discussions about future instalments.

Sadly, there's no confirmation that he is involved in those discussions.

ALIEN is the perfect Sci-fi-Horror hybrid. A cosmic, primordial, psychosexual type of horror with depth. Had it not been for the coming together of Dan O’Bannon, H.R. Giger & Ridley Scott we probably wouldn’t be here discussing it or the franchise on this website.

O’Bannon & Shusett were about to sign a deal with Roger Corman when luckily the call came from Fox. ALIEN could have been just an enjoyable, low budget, one-off, rather than the enduring Franchise it developed into.

O’Bannon’s knowledge of & interest in Sci-fi & Lovecraft were key. Dan & Ron Shusett’s story, then Dan’s script laid the foundation. Plus, he thrust his copy of Giger’s Necronomicon, in front of Ridley Scott, when Ridley’s biggest worry was about finding a convincing design for the Alien.

They both realised that Giger’s incredible & unique designs were exactly what was needed to elevate the creature & therein the film to groundbreaking heights. The producers were reluctant to accept that, but finally acquiesced when Ridley threatened to quit.

As we know, Ridley was by no means the first choice for Director, fourth or fifth choice depending upon which interview with Ridley you read. Thanks to Fox’s British exec Sandy Lieberson, Ridley came into their sights. Without his visual gift ALIEN would have been an entirely different film. 

Dan O'Bannon might have liked PROMETHEUS, it does pay homage to so many of his ideas & those of H.R. Giger, with Ridley utilising them in an interesting & novel way.

Though O’Bannon & Giger have departed this mortal coil, I suspect Ridley Scott knows in his heart that their work remains at the core of what the ALIEN Universe is & should be. To me, much of PROMETHEUS is really a lamentation of sorts for them.

What would have been really disappointing to Dan is that even after all these years the studio execs control, interference, penny-pinching, ignorance of subject matter & downright stupidity at times, has remained so prevalent!

Quote from Fantastic Films US issue 11/GB issue 1  

"The problem with the money-men is that a lot of them don't care about making good films, and don't understand movies, yet they insist that you do it their way. The very people who say " I don't understand anything about it, i don't like it, " they rewrite it, they change everything you do, they don't let you do it yourself. That's what is so infuriating. They go "You know, six months ago I couldn't spell auteur and now I are one" I've got an insight for you. This is something that I've learned which has disappointed me very very greatly." 

As ALIEN fans & indeed Science Fiction fans, we should also be very grateful to Alejandro Jodorowsky. If his ambitious & visionary adaptation of Dune had received studio backing, Dan O’Bannon wouldn’t have ended up on Ron Shusett’s couch! Plus, because of Jodorowsky, Dan met Giger.

Hope the sequel will start production soon. Im ok if the beast doesn’t show up in the next one. They could just tease it. I mean, we know what we will see in the end (first movie). There are so many other possibilities, other creatures that can terrify the audience. The huge trilobyte and the hammerpede in Prometheus felt so fresh and dynamic. 

For Alien: Wakening.

No answers - good.

Direct answers - good.

Ambiguous things - bad.

I hope Disney will keep Ridley's ideas, buuuuut - I also hope Disney cut all ambiguous/water-like Ridley's ideas. We need direct answers and ideas.

RS wanted to explore the Engineers prior to Prometheus.  Prometheus, for me, didn't go far enough.  In AC Shaw and an Engineer city are killed and I still don't know why.  I'm glad he's talking with Disney.  I believed Disney would have to move on with the Alien franchise since they paid for it.  I also think there's more stories to tell.  I just don't know who Disney will find to tell them.

I have had different views over the years. I think the Xeno can go or assume a lesser but present role. I am ok with the android angle but I don't think that was what Alien was about. I disliked Prometheus (liked the concept but not the execution in theater) but it seems like that is where RS needs to go. I have a wait and see attitude right now. 

Really hope the next movie includes Shaw flashbacks. Hoping the reason they moved on from her story is because it would spoil the upcoming film. If nothing ever comes of Shaw's story then imo Covenant will forever be a stain on the Alien universe.

I try to see where in the interview Scott confirmed his discussions with Disney about future Alien installments and I don't see it.

I hope it's true, probably we have to wait a year to find out.

"But it's harder to keep the beast going for that long. I think it’s just tough. The joke wears out. Once you've seen it twice, three times, it’s no longer frightening.”

“Go on, leave that behind, and see where it can evolve,”

“So we're looking where we're going to evolve.”

Yes, something fresh is what we need. Go on, Ridley Scott. And hurry up.