It’s an interesting time to be an ALIEN fan. At the moment there are two films that are in some level of development that both pertain to the franchise. While it’s not uncommon for sequels to be getting plotted out way in advance, these two movies aren’t conventional sequels. One is ALIEN: COVENANT, which is a sequel to the ALIEN prequel PROMETHEUS, and the other is being referred to as ALIEN 5, even though it’s story purports to make it more of a second attempt at making ALIEN 3. 

We’ve got two brief updates for you, from each ALIEN production. One is the first official photo from the production of ALIEN: COVENANT, which finds Ridley Scott back in the director’s chair.

You can see that here:

The second tidbit we have for you are comments from ALIEN‘s Ellen Ripley herself, Sigourney Weaver. She’s attached to ALIEN 5, which is set to be directed by Neill Blomkamp (DISTRICT 9, ELYSIUM). The film is currently considered to be on-hold, but Weaver speaks as if it’s definitely happening.

Someone in attendance at The Town Hall in New York yesterday, where there was a special screening of James Cameron’s ALIENS, sent along a summary of what Weaver had to say about Blomkamp’s project during a talkback after the screening.

The onlooker had this to say:

“She speaks of the script as if – as far as she is concerned – it’s happening already, and in her mind is the ‘most satisfying’ ending of the story. When first asked about working with Michael Biehn, and their flirtation/romantic relationship in Aliens, she added ‘you will see a lot more of that in the next one.'”

Weaver also addressed where ALIEN 5 would fit in the franchise’s timeline. She says that Blomkamp’s film wouldn’t “wipe out” ALIEN 3 or RESURRECTION, but that Blomkamp’s film would actually “run parallel” to them. This leads us to believe that the film will, indeed, be more of an ALIEN 3 than an ALIEN 5.

It’s very similar to what Bryan Singer attempted with SUPERMAN RETURNS. That film tried to position itself as the real SUPERMAN III, attempting to follow up on the storyline and themes of the first two films, and kind of ignoring that III and IV ever happened. Seems that Blomkamp has a similar plan for ALIEN 5.

ALIEN: COVENANT is slated for an August 4, 2017 release. The level of success the movie achieves will likely determine whether or not Blomkamp’s follow-up gets made.

What do you think of these latest updates from the world of ALIEN?

SOURCE: AVP Galaxy