Scott moves on to Getty kidnapping movie while the ALIEN franchise is in limbo

He already has this movie and I believe another planned to direct this year.  So this wasn't something he just decided to do.  This was planned well beforehand.  I believe his schedule is still clear for another Alien movie. That's if Fox clear it.  He might not want to do another Alien movie after Covenants lack luster performance.

The Xenomorph can only survive through a host, right? And if they made it onto Earth, and killed everything, then what? What is their overarching plan, if they even have one? Or are they just killing machines without any agenda?

They are the ultimate survivors. Their agenda is simply to survive and propagate the species. That is what makes them so terrifying, they are indiscriminate, ruthless and utterly remorseless in this function.

And you are right. Ridley reckons he has enough material for 6 films leading up to ALIEN. If true he should have his head down and busily working through all that, with no time for side projects...

I do agree though.  They need to pony up for a big draw actor.  The Mummy has a budget of $120 million and they got Tom Cruise.  You know he's a $20 million a film actor.  So if Sony can pony up a few dollars, keep the current budget for production.  A lot of actors would love to work with Ridley Scott.  I don't think Cruise has worked with Scott yet and you know he likes to work with iconic directors. They have a perfect opportunity to introduce the character.  Just have he or she be one of the ones that wake up from Cryo sleep unharmed.

@Jafo...no please no Tom Cruise.  He is incredibly overrated and would not make sense as a fit for the franchise.  Simply paying for A list actors doesn't make a movie good.  There are plenty of terrible movies with an overabundance of A-list actors.  Neither Alien or Aliens had a massive movie star in them during their respective releases and they are revered.  

@mataleon absolutely right. If I ever see tom cruise in an Alien film, I'm bailing.

It would be pretty amazing to see Tom Cruise get the royal treatment from a facehugger.

I do feel pretty strong about an A-lister for the next ALIEN. The average movie goer is not going to see a film with what's her name, what's his name, or who's that one actor?

People went to see Prirates, again, for Depp. People will see The Mummy because of Tom Cruise, and I'm sure the movie will surely suck.

Imagine for a moment, in all realms of what if fantasy, that Kevin Spacey stars in the next ALIEN.   

Interesting topic.  I think that Sir Ridley is probably regrouping after the mixed response that the latest film received.  Obviously, he has his own vision and goals.  Aside from his own goals, he has to please the investors and the audience.  Prometheus wasn't that well received, so we got an Alien movie along the more traditional lines in "Covenant", but people still aren't really satisfied.

I've said elsewhere that the "Engineers" story arc was pretty much dead when it became obvious that nobody liked the concept of "Jesus" as being an "Engineer".  So, The Engineers were all killed off, and they will become only a minor part of the story going forward, I think.

I also agree with everyone that the franchise needs some better acting talent and not just Star Trek "Red Shirts".  Character development is sorely lacking, and likeable characters are often killed off between movies.  I'd like to see some gritty, seasoned actors in the main parts.  Does anybody believe for a second that a person in their 30's would command a colonization vessel?  Or that a second in command would be in their barely out of their 30's?

I use to hate Tom Cruise, but as time has gone by my opinion of him has changed. He's had some good roles and is a very good actor.  Movie's like Oblivion, Edge of Tomorrow were both very good I thought.   I was never a Mission Impossible fan.  It just depends on what kind of role the actor is cast in and if he or she is believable in that role.  Does his acting style fit or can he or she adapt to the role give.  Not saying they should select Cruise, but its obvious at this point just relying on the Alien is not going to get the general public back into the seats. 

They had their shot with something original in Prometheus, and that didn't work. Then Covenant they tried to revert back to the Alien, and that didn't work  So at this point I think any goodwill the franchise has is over and done.  You can have the best story or plot, but it's going to be tough to get the general public back unless you get someone with name recognition.  Then at least that get's their attention, combine that with a good story, some solid action and the franchise could come back.  Hell they could pull a Godzilla with Bryan Cranston.  We all thought he was going to play a major part of the movie then they kill him off half way through the movie.   However relying on the hardcore Alien Fan base is not going to be enough. 

Jafo Sure.  Just imagine imagine you get a big name like Tom Cruise and then you start teasing in the trailers that he might or might not be Weyland's Corporation agent, or that he might or might not be an android, or that he might or might not give birth to a cherstburster. A lot of people would go to the theater just to find out. Fox didn't play their cards too well.

Tom Cruise might be better than a lot of people would like to admit.  Just put aside his personal life and beliefs.

Tom Cruise, no thanks. :(

Tom Cruise would probably draw in a certain demographic, but I'd be checking out! Plus he would cost far too much.

I'm not remotely interested in him, his personal life or beliefs. The reason I do not rate him is because he is not an actor.

He has a fake persona, it's the same for every movie, he plays Tom Cruise. What he is, is a show-off. Probably the biggest show-off in the world! 

Ridley never stops working, he'll finish this project, have a ton of producing projects, both tv and film on the go too.

None of that will get in the way of Awakening. When/if  the time is right he will be ready to roll.