Ridley Scott, the acclaimed director of Gladiator 2 and the Alien franchise, has shared exciting details about the future of the Alien saga. In a recent interview, Scott confirmed that he is working on a new Alien film and hinted at revisiting the 2017 installment, Alien: Covenant, or even elements of Prometheus. This revelation comes as Alien: Romulus—the latest Alien movie about space colonizers facing deadly extraterrestrial threats—becomes the highest-grossing horror film of the year.
When asked about the potential direction of the franchise, Scott revealed he already has an idea for the next chapter. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott pointed out that Covenant ended on a note that naturally sets the stage for a sequel. The film concluded with the character Daniels in a cryo pod, while the android David (played by Michael Fassbender) was left with alien eggs and 2,000 frozen colonists. According to Scott, this cliffhanger presents the “perfect beginning” for a continuation of the story.
“Covenant is the best one [for a sequel] because it leaves the girl in the cryo pod, and David has alien eggs and 2,000 colonists hanging around. It’s a perfect beginning.” Scott explained.
While Alien: Covenant did not achieve the box office success of its predecessors, grossing $240 million globally, Scott’s vision for its sequel remains strong. Despite the film’s lukewarm reception, its unresolved plotline offers a compelling backdrop for a potential sequel, and Scott has been actively brainstorming ideas for the next film in the Alien franchise.
The director’s preference for continuing Covenant’s story contrasts with the success of Alien: Romulus, which, in comparison, has been a significant box office hit. However, Scott’s focus appears to be more on exploring the aftermath of Covenant, as the 2017 film’s unresolved narrative provides more creative space for the future direction of the series.
At the conclusion of Alien: Covenant, David and Daniels are on course for Origae-6, carrying thousands of colonists and embryos into the unknown. With Alien: Romulus paying homage to Covenant and Prometheus, it’s clear that the upcoming film could intertwine elements from both past entries into its storytelling.
Though a direct sequel to Covenant remains uncertain, Scott’s comments suggest that the Alien franchise could soon expand into new, yet familiar territory. With the success of Romulus and the lingering questions from Covenant, now could be the perfect time for the director to revisit the 2017 film’s cliffhanger and deliver a long-awaited sequel. However, the risks of revisiting a less-successful entry also add an element of uncertainty to the future of the franchise.
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