In Space, No One Can Hear The box Office Sales

[b]@PerfectOrganism2[/b] I disagree (partially). ALIEN isn't intentionally part of the franchise, it was just burdened with a selection of tag-alongs afterwards. Cameron's film is very enjoyable to watch and I genuinely like ALIENS but I don't consider it to be the sister of ALIEN. ALIENS is a completely different film (and I respect that). Although I personally think ALIEN is a much better film (for various reasons) I don't discount Cameron's work. But I wouldn't be particularly upset if it never existed in the first place. On a slight side note, I have a personal issue with different directors having a bash at the same source material. In the case of ALIEN it opened the flood gates for the rest of the tosh that came after ALIENS.

You are, of course, right @Mentos with all of what you just said. I too enjoy 'Aliens', I consume it many times over before I ever managed even to see 'Alien' for the first time...I just get passionate about that opinion, because I'm purist about this sort of thing. I don't like it all when I see people take up the work of someone else and mess with it...know what I mean?

I think Ridley asked for 200 million but *only* got 150 million. I agree that the studio wants the movie capable of bringing in at least 300 million, which means pandering to the masses. I don't think it will reach that, I think more 250 million is a feasibility - but that missing 50 million buys you a cerebral story and enough darkness to convey the essence of an Alien film. BTW, I enjoyed Avatar in 3D. It does well as an escapist thrill ride, albeit playing the formulaic "the one prophesized" plot line.

You aren't going to like this chaps, as much as I love Alien, I saw Cameron's first and fell in love with it, so to me, the second one will always have the highest place in my love of the Alien saga. Closely followed by the original. As far as finchers movie goes, he had never directed a movie before he was taken on to do the third film in the saga, and despite all the grief from Fox, he did a stand up job. Its just a shame we didnt get the intended directors cut which places Alien 3 up there among the classics its predecessors' were, in my very modest opinion. As much as I dislike Res, it was still a worthwhile add on to the saga, albeit with no plot or substance yet it still has some great lines and acting in it from sigourney and the rest of the cast, apart from Ryder. My point is that as great as the original is, the following movies always added something new or different to the continuing story of Ripley and the Alien. Without these subsequent movies, the saga wouldn't be half as popular as it was in its peak. i have to admit I'm happy they are using scott for the prequel but in my humble opinion, Alien was the only worthwhile movie he ever made. I know I'll cop it in the neck for this but Blade-runner was a travesty of a movie. I mean, how many different cuts of it were there, ffs? Far too many for my liking. Cameron is a far more consistant director, at least at the beginning of his career and knocked out some top notch sci fi epics, termi 1 and 2, Aliens, abyss.... And please dont get me started on the most expensive cartoon ever made, avatar. I was just thinking though, that the blue mutant guy in the prometheus trailer kind of looks as though scott ripped him right off the avatar set! So now who is stealing from who? lol Just saying.....

also, Gladiator was ok. But with studio constraints, I'm kind of sceptical in Scott's ability to pull off a worthy prequel/spin off/tie-in, which no one can seem to agree on, lol, to Alien. I really want it to be good, but as I have said before, this movie will be made for a mainstream audience, With Fox's intention being re-igniting the money train that is the Alien franchise. I think it was Frantz who said that everybody seems to be placing Scott on a pedestal and giving him far more credit than he may actually be due. And with Lindeloff as the script writer(never wrote a film before and Lost is terrible) I have my doubts on how good this movie will actually be. Dont get me wrong though, I have my fingers crossed as much as the rest of you do.

If Scott is so 'amazing', then why is every film he has made since Alien crap? One hit wonder, springs to mind........ And dont forget, without Gigers design, and dan's script, I doubt we would all be kissing Ridleys backside as much as we seem to be. Perhaps we should give more credit to HR.

When Cameron says ,"gimme 200 million", the studio says, "sure thing, and here's 100 million on top!". When Ridley says, "gimme 200 million", the studio says, "well, why don't we put down 150 million, and be creative". Make of that what you will.

"My point is that as great as the original is, the following movies always added something new or different to the continuing story of Ripley and the Alien. Without these subsequent movies, the saga wouldn't be half as popular as it was in its peak." @ PefectOrganism, I have to agree with you on this statement man 100 percent. Every film in the Alien series contributed to the overall saga. There has been spin offs and parodies from at least one scene from Alien to Alien Resurrection. They were all great films and I loved them all. Alien and Aliens were fucking marvelous films and debate them as you will but Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection gave the series even more of a sicker take on the story and Ripley. Alien 3 was Ripley facing hell itself. Alien Resurrection was Ripley facing deformed incarnations of the hell she faced previously. They contributed to the overall story of Ripley and the plot of the Aliens. You can't just leave them out which so many people claim to do. All I hear is people saying "Prometheus, Alien and Aliens are the REAL Alien trilogy...screw the rest of the films." But why? Ripley is the consistent conduit running from Alien to Aliens to Alien 3 and finally to Alien Resurrection. It's a saga consisting of 4 films that I personally have an emotional investment for. You can hate Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection all you want but either way they are part of that string of Pro's. They gave new life to the series. They expanded the character of Ripley and the bond she carried from story to story. Just because someone doesn't like Alien 3 or Alien Resurrection doesn't mean they automatically are void from having connection from the series. Opinions are really JUST opinions. They aren't the factual evidence. Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection are part of that franchise that embraces Alien and Aliens. You just can't leave out the rest of the story.

This is my biggest problem: [i]"continuing story of Ripley"[/i]. I'll put it out there right now; I think Ripley was one of the least interesting characters in the film, and to be honest if I had it my way I would've canned her first. More screen time from the other characters (especially John Hurt) would have been welcomed with open arms. ALIEN is about so, so much more than Ripley, and to be honest its one of the reasons why I don't really care for any of the sequels too much. She's pretty inconsequential, the story is about the struggle of the human crew when faced with this terrifying beast not Ellen Ripley. In terms of the popularity of the saga? I don't really think popularity is an issue, ALIEN was a ground breaking sci-fi; a film that re-defined the genre irrespective of the sequels/spin offs. And to be honest even if it wasn't, I wouldn't mind, I'd be able to appreciate the film with a small number of individuals. Its mainstream appeal has nothing to do with how good the film is or how much I like it. As for Cameron? Comparing Cameron and Ridley is like trying to compare Beer and Spirits, it isn't really possible, everyone's opinion will come down to personal preference. In terms of skill level I prefer what I've seen from Ridley, although I haven't seen the full filmography of either director. I'll also second you on Avatar, I think it was an over rated mess. The so called [i]"incredible"[/i] fx used don't really hold weight when the creature deign is that bloody bland. And finally...I wish I could disagree but GOD I hope the blue guy isn't the SJ!

Starbeast, errrrr, the studio is more confident in Cameron's directing abilities than they are with Scott's????? just kidding

Thank You @Mentos, could've explained that business about Ripley any better myself.

Ridely scott a one hit wonder ?? omg ... Balderunner and The Duellists are Jewels ...both rank in my top 10 all time . Black hawk down and The Gladiator are excellent .....and i like alot Legend, A good year too . Black rain , MAtchstick men and Public enemy are solid movies ...and i dont dislike 1492 and the Crusades either ...

Well said Ripley clone 8. To you Ripley haters, (I agree with the John Hurt sentiment but thats just because he is such a damn good actor)without Ellen Ripley, none of the other movies would have ben possible. As Clone 8 said, she is the conduit to the entire series. With regards to disposing of her first in Alien, can we honestly say that the movie would have been so much appreciated if that had happened? After all, it was the first movie of any kind to have a female lead role survivor who wasnt the stereotypical Jamie Lee Curtis virgin type. And yes, you can compare Alien to Halloween because as you pointed out, Alien is a horror movie. Apart from arnie in terminator, ripley had the defining one liner of the 80's. "Get away from her, YOU BITCH!" seriously you cant argue with the calibre of any of the Alien movies with Sigourney in them. Also, you see Ridley has a god but tbh, he is just stealing the 'chariots of the Gods' angle from the first AVP movie, lol. Hardly original

yeah that black hawk down rubbish i mean the guys a hack clearly alien was a fluke lol

And you all claim you hated it when Anderson used the 'Chariots of the God's angle', so what is so different when Ridley does the same thing? Hypocrisy? apparently you cant see the wood for the tree's, or more aptly, the screen for the empty seats, lol, in a vain attempt to re-ignite a dead franchise..... Scott is human and therefore fallible. Some of you seem to forget this. And trust me, he will sell out to fox if the money is right. Just as they all do

Black Hawk Down, top film WHAT Black Hawk Down, its a top film WHAT lol

So I guess you ll must love 'Hannibal' then????? it's only redeeming grace is Hopkin's brilliant portrayal of the 'Good' doctor, lol

I couldnt even sit through'Black Hawk' Snorky, every time I try I fall asleep.

have you read hannibal the book is way more daft then the film ridley did the best with pretty bad material and steve zallian wrote the screenplay considered to be a top writer in many circles get a grip perfect.

[b]@PerfectOrganism2[/b] Its not Ripley hating (that kind of language is reserved for the IMDB forums), I'm just pointing out an opinion; there is more to ALIEN than Ripley, so much more. And, I can and will argue the calibre of the each film regardless of whether they include Ripley or not. I'd also like to add at this point that this isn't an [i]all hail Scott[/i] affair, I'm critiquing the role of Ripley regardless of directors. In regards to canning Ripley; yes I think the film would've retained its strength. In the end the film (ALIEN) touches upon human survival, regardless of the character that survived, the case would remain the same. [i]"Scott is human and therefore fallible"[/i] does this statement not apply to Sigourney Weaver? Her presence does not automatically deem a film incredible.