Let’s face it: Alien is still one of the most iconic sci-fi horror franchises ever conceived, even if its current state feels more like a haunted house run by interns, but don’t count Ridley Scott among those still looking to expand it.
The man who gave us the nightmare in space has officially tapped out — and, surprise, he’s not exactly thrilled with what’s happened to his baby.
In a recent chat with ScreenRant, Scott pulled no punches. “Where it’s going now, I think I’ve done enough, and I just hope it goes further.” Translation: “Good luck, kids. Don’t screw it up any more than you already have.”
Scott didn’t just direct “Alien” — he built the entire damn thing. The infamous chestburster scene will live on in the cinematic timecapsule. James Cameron expanded on his vision by relying more on action than horror, with great results.
Then came the prequels, “Prometheus” in 2012 and “Alien: Covenant” in 2017, where Scott tried to inject some heady philosophical musings into the franchise — to mixed reactions, but I am part of the cult that abides by ‘Prometheus’ (‘Covenant’ was a total bust’).
But now? He’s out. And not quietly, either.
According to Scott, the series “deadened after 4,” throwing shade right at Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s “Alien: Resurrection” (1997), and semi-vindicating Fincher’s “Alien 3.” It’s clear he sees a steep drop-off after his original and James Cameron’s “Aliens” — and he’s not being subtle about it.
“I think mine was pretty damn good, and I think Jim’s was good, and I have to say the rest were not very good. And I thought, ‘Fuck, that’s the end of a franchise which should be as important as bloody Star Trek or Star Wars,’ which I think is phenomenal.”
Bottom line: Ridley Scott has moved on. And Fede Alvarez has now taken over with last year’s back-to-the-basics “Alien: Romulus” getting a sequel. Scott will keep watching from the sidelines — with the same expression he probably had after watching “Alien vs. Predator.”