The DAVID Dilema

@BigDave: I was of the understanding that the third 'Alien' Prequel was reportedly in the scripting phase, with Ridley set to direct!? 

The prequels have polarized a lot of fans. I suspect deep down, most want one more from RS. I know I would like one despite feelings on how the theatrical releases were. But ownership has changed since those days and as always, past financial performance will be a big factor.

BigDave well the fact that Faszy got older could be masked with some nasty make-up and to say he was damaged by too much exposure to the goop. The real big age problem is RS', who this year makes 82, already over the British life expectancy of 79.4 .

They thought that Fassbenzer can lead a Franchise, but unfortunately no big budget movie were he was the top billing made it big. He is also a rapist and genocidal robot, is that appealing material for that many people, especially woman? The most talked about thing now are the Engineers and Shaw, both and dead. If, the Engineers would return that would only to die stupidly, as the White Walkers did in the last season of Game of Thrones? Of Covenant's surviving characters we know nothing (well Daniels likes rock-climbing, that might also because of her husband and wants to build a cabin by the lake... boring) , not even their given name. 

An another problem would be the new Terminator movie. If that goes well Disney would have every incentive to bring the Ripleys back.

Who knows what will be, but I am holding my breath as after Prometheus, sorry.

@dk but the leadership also changed between Prometheus and Covenant, and the new leadership thought that killing Shaw and replacing Marc Streitenfeld with Jed Kurzel to ape the Jerry Goldsmith OST, would make them good money. But it did not.

I think ULTIMATELY the Prequels have just NOT been what i Feel Many Fans would have expected or wanted way back when Rumors Surfaced that we would be getting a ALIEN Prequel.

The Space Jockey never Turned out like Many Expected, while Prometheus the Scale was mainly off, as we got to Alien Covenant we ended up with nothing more than VERY HUMAN looking 7ft beings..... who were all KILLED OFF..... Bye Bye Space Jockey!

It was expected to Reveal the Xenomorph Origins and a Return to Everyone's Favorite Space Monster, but we DID-NOT see them or their Explanation... by the Time we got to Alien Covenant then we GOT THOSE... only that they are the Creation of a Rebellious, Psychotic, Lonely ROBOT!

So while the Prequels had Continuing Disappointed Fans, we are left with the PLOT now being Focused purely on a Mad Robot... who Hates Humanoids, who wants his Creation to Rule the Galaxy!

So we are FAR OFF what i think Most Alien Fans and especially more Aliens Fans would have expected.

Some Fans liked Prometheus and how it OPENED DOORS with the Engineers and Creation Plot, and was looking forwards to seeing more about this and Dr Shaw and David and how all these things would Interact, and were NOT that bothered about Xenomorphs and Unlocking that Mystery.

But now we are left with a Colony Ship with Colonists we have to be Introduced too, who are at the WHIM of David and if his Agenda is  CREATE EGGS that dont Bold well for them..

We have David who is the CENTRAL Point of the Prequels, but a Character Arc that does-not please a lot of Fans, having him as Creator of their Xenomorph has got him a lot of Hate, Killing their Dr Shaw has got him a lot of Hate!  The Fascination with AI and David is something not many Fans are NOT interested in....

We are left with WHO ELSE?  as Ignorantguy points out TWO Characters who we really know little about who we just could not connect to that well... and WELL as Daniels knows who David is... then it would be STUPID for him to let her LIVE..

So as it stands as a Platform.... i am not sure its something that Many Fans would want to Continue, not in a way that Revolves around David....

To Continue with 2-3 more Movies to LEAD to ALIEN is going to be a Difficult Task as i dont think many Fans would want to have TWO more movies about David....

And so as Time Goes on, then yes it becomes more Difficult to showcase a 35 year old looking Male Synthetic (but yes there are ways around it) and as Ignorantguy mentioned... we also have Ridley Scotts Age!

With Disney they are NOT going to want to RISK doing another Movie that still has to have a Sequel to get to ALIEN, as a sequel to AC that becomes a Disappointment could leave them DEAD in the Water.

So i was just wondering if it looks like CURTAINS for David....

I think its more likely that Disney would give us a ONE Movie Connection to Alien that will deal with a AFTERMATH of what ever the Next 1-2 Movies may have Covered, were we come across David as just his Broken Body and Activate his HEAD!

More Chance they would want to give us a more Action like Flick, with Marine Types, Xenomorphs all over the Place and then Aggressive SOB!  Prometheus Engineers who go around with Actions Speak Louder than Words.. giving the Predators more Personality and Interaction with us ;)

Then Disney can go about to make more ALIEN Movies... no doubt with some Ripley Connections!

I just want to find out what they are planning...don't even need to see another movie.....Just want to see the idea...that'll make me happy.

Prequels have exceeded my expectations....Always thought they would be about Ripley's parents(or worse...a child actor playing young Ripley!!!!!!) or comical Elephant like creatures. 

I think ULTIMATELY the Prequels have Disappointed Too Many....

There are that Bunch who would have liked a Ripley and Queens Connection, but i think even the other side at that Time would have still NOT been 100% Happy with what we got Especially the Revelations/Plot of Alien Covenant.....

I do think the Prequels could END UP being Considered just as the AVP Movies where Considered and their PLOT.... How Many Fans of the Franchise Accept that Charles Bishop Weyland had Founded the Company before the Year 2004, that Xenomorphs had been on Earth for Thousands of Years... and we was Previsited and Taught what we know by Predators who just wanted to USE us to Erect Hunting Grounds/Birthing Pyramids and Sacrifice us for the Predators ULTIMATE Hunt?

Not Many i would assume...

I feel the Prequels could be Considered the Same, and so i would NOT put it past getting a REBOOT!  at some point in 10-20 Years.

I say that because Disney may Consider the Damage that Continuing the Prequels/David route may have on the Franchise... compared to just IGNORE them like some would with AVP.... and maybe some day give Indications of the Origins of the Xenomorph and Space Jockey Race in another Movie!

They would Consider its the Xenomorph and similar thats Important, just as the ALIEN DAY Shorts had, as in NONE were Connected to the Engineers/Space Jockey.

In closing.... i will add that indeed it would be NICE to have the Story Closed even if all we get is  NOVEL, but then this would NOT please Most the Fans... it would be a Gift to those who had a Interest in the Prequels who have NOT just Turned Away since Alien Covenant.

I do Understand WHY they would feel like Giving Up on the Prequels though.