As Hudson so eloquently put, "We're f**ked man, what are we supposed to do now?!" Filmmaker and the mind behind Alien 5, director Neill Blomkamp took to Twitter this morning to address a fan asking what the chances were that his [Blomkamp's] Alien 5 would be happening. We've known for some time now that the fifth Alien installment was placed on Fox's back-burner while they focused their efforts on Ridley Scott's Prometheus sequel, Alien: Covenant, however not once did the Fox officially mention Alien 5 was off the table.
Even though franchise front-runner Sigourney Weaver has consistently reassured fans that Alien 5 is happening (and that it will be worth the wait), Blomkamp seems to feel as though the project may never get off the ground. He tweeted his response, saying the chances for Alien 5 are "slim":
Now, before we all jump to conclusions, there are a number of factors which play into a film's development, green-light and eventual release. Films are put on hold all the time and are cherry picked for production all the time. What we know for sure so far:
- Alien 5 has a script and Fox really like it.
- In July 2015, Blomkamp mentioned production on Alien 5 was going "very well".
- Fox shut down an Alien fan film because its plot conflicted with that of Blomkamp's Alien 5 script. (Something a Studio would not do if they did not have intentions of pursuing the project at some point)
- Alien 5 script was altered to avoid conflict with Scott's Alien: Covenant.
- James Cameron even loved Blomkamp's Alien 5 script.
In terms of plot direction, back in November of 2015, Michael Biehn, who was also set to reprise his role as Cpl. Dwayne Hicks in Blomkamp's Alien 5 speculated on the film's plot, mentioning that the story would primarily focus on a now-adult Newt and that the plot would act as a "passing of the torch" between Weaver's Ripley to Newt.
We know Fox would not wish to release two Alien films so close to one another, so placing Alien 5 on temporary hold makes perfect sense. Considering the amount of buzz and hype this film has already generated with a few pieces of concept artwork and a few vague interviews, it's apparent there is a need and a want for Blomkamp's vision of Alien 5.
Blomkamp's tweet about there being a slim chance Alien 5 is happening may simply mean there's a slim chance he will be the one directing it.
Regardless, if Alien: Covenant performs well at the box office, Fox will not be so quick to avoid another heavy pay-day with Alien 5, despite the fact that they are planning up to 3 total sequels to Prometheus over the next decade.
Alien 5 is a film many fans have openly voiced appreciation and anticipation for. If there is enough of a need and want, Fox will not shy away from it. The Studio remains very confident with their upcoming release of Alien: Covenant and are also re-igniting their Predator franchise in 2018. The chances of Alien 5 releasing anytime soon may be slim, but there's no denying that Fox are eager to pursue it at some point. Of course, as new details do arrive concerning Alien 5's fate, you will be able to find them, right here, on Alien5-Movie.com.
What are your thoughts regarding Blomkamp's comment? Do you still have hope? Sound off in the comments and let us know what you think.
Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 project was inevitably canceled following the merger between 20th Century Fox and Disney. Blomkamp had hoped to revive characters Hicks and Ripley for a new film, rewriting the Alien timeline, chalking up Alien 3 and Resurrection to mere bad dreams. Studio executives decided to can the project and instead took the franchise in a new direction, tapping Fede Alvarez to direct Alien: Romulus.
Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 is indefinitely shelved.
