I don’t believe Ridley Scott is done with theAlienmovie franchise, no matter what he says. The English director launched the franchise in 1979 with the groundbreakingsci-fi horror filmAlien, which established a new standard for the genre. Though the movie became a cultural touchstone, Scott did not return to direct the immediate sequels, leavingAliens(1986),Alien 3(1992), andAlien: Resurrection(1997) to other filmmakers. Decades later, he revisited the franchise by directing the prequelsPrometheus(2012) andAlien: Covenant(2017), exploring the origin of the iconic Xenomorph and deepening the franchise’s mythology.
However, it seems Scott might now be finished with the franchise. In an interview withScreenRantforKingdom of Heaven’s 20th anniversary,Scott suggested that he is done with theAlienfranchise, saying, “I think I’ve done enough.” At 87 years of age, Scott does have several projects in development, includingThe Dog Stars, based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller, and a Bee Gees biopic, which will go into production this November. However, despite what he says,it’s unlikely that Scott is truly finished with theAlienfranchise.
Ridley Scott Was Reportedly Developing Another Alien Movie After Romulus' Success
No Other Details Were Revealed
After the success ofAlien: Romulusin August 2024,it was reported thatRidley Scott was developing a newAlienmoviefor 20th Century Studios. Directed by Fede Álvarez, the latest installment received widespread acclaim, and, financially, it was also a major success, earning over $350 million globally on an $80 million budget. This success led to the greenlighting of a sequel featuring returning characters Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson).
However, there was also a report that Scott is developing another entry in theAlienseries. While specific details remain under wraps, the announcement came shortly after the news of theRomulussequel, suggesting this could be a separate project with new characters and an original plot, or possibly even a continuation of his two prequel movies. Regardless,it does suggest that Scott is returningto theAlienfranchisein the future.
Ridley Scott Will Likely Still Be Involved In Future Alien Movies
He Worked Closely With Fede Álvarez On Romulus
Even if he never directs another one himself, Ridley Scott will likely still be involved inupcomingAlienmovies,considering how closely he worked with Fede Álvarez onRomulus.Scott served as a consultant and produceron the latest installment. He had conversations with Álvarez about the story and the script, offering notes and comments where he could. Scott also screened an early cut ofAlien: Romulus,and though he “loved it,” he offered constructive criticism that helped him improve it.
Scott’s legacy ensures that his voice will remain a guiding force for whatever comes next for the franchise.
Considering how closely they worked together on the latest installment, it’s hard to imagine that Álvarez doesn’t loop Scott in on theAlien: Romulussequelor any other future projects. Whether for creative input, executive producing, or simply story feedback,Scott’s legacy ensures that his voice will remain a guiding forcefor whatever comes next for the franchise.
The Alien Franchise Needs Ridley Scott To Return, Too
To Complete David’s Story
TheAlienfranchise also needs Ridley Scott to return, if only to complete David’s story. Played by Michael Fassbender,David is the android introduced inPrometheus, a synthetic being with a thirst for knowledge, creation, and eventually destruction. After surviving thedoomed expedition inPrometheus, David reappears inAlien: Covenant, where it is revealed that he wiped out the Engineers and began experimenting with creating new lifeforms, ultimately leading to the genesis of the Xenomorph.
Scott leftDavid’s arc on a chilling note inCovenant, as the android hijacks a colonization vessel, posing as a different model and carrying Xenomorph embryos for further experimentation. It’s a bold and unsettling ending that demands further exploration. Only Scott, who envisioned this philosophical and horrific journey, should truly finish what he started. While he may claim he’s done, the open threads of David’s story, combined with the franchise’s reliance on Scott’s vision, suggest he will return toAlienin some capacity.
Alien
The Alien franchise, which began with Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, is a Sci-Fi series comprised of several horror films, games, and comic books centered on humanity’s encounters with a hostile extraterrestrial species known as Xenomorphs. Characterized by their lethal prowess and capability to reproduce at an alarming rate, these creatures pose a profound threat to human existence. The primary series protagonist, Ellen Ripley, acts as the voice of reason as she seeks to keep the creatures out of the hands of greed-driven corporate scientists.
Ridley Scott
Discover the latest news and filmography for Ridley Scott, known for Gladiator and Blade Runner.
