So, what’s going on with Neil Blomkamp’s “Alien 5” now that Ridley Scott is making “Alien: Paradise Lost,” a.k.a. “Prometheus 2,” and possibly planning two more films that connect to the original “Alien” film? Well, while there have been rumors that Scott was none too pleased when he first learned about Blomkamp’s pitch — especially since he’s still in the middle of his “Prometheus” spin-offs — he’s clearly come to Jesus with Fox and Blomkamp, will act as a producer on the film, and apparently the younger filmmaker’s movie will come sometime after "Alien: Paradise Lost."
READ MORE: Ridley Scott Teases ‘Alien: Paradise Lost’ Will Have "Connections" With Ripley
But what is “Alien 5” exactly? Blomkamp has said it picks up after the events of James Cameron‘s “Aliens,” so many have speculated that it acts as a kind of wedged-in retcon that basically denies the existence of “Alien 3” and “Alien Resurrection” in the timeline. Essentially, it seems like they’re rewriting franchise history right in that sweet spot after the two most adored films. Great, but it remains to be seen how they’ll continue the narrative given all the principal players are much, much older.
We still don’t know, but in an Empire podcast today, Ridley Scott teased a few elements and revealed he once toyed with the idea of making "Aliens" before James Cameron signed on.
“I’m producing [Blomkamp’s movie]. It’s designed to go next after [‘Alien: Paradise Lost’],” Scott said of Blomkamp’s version. [“His version] is more associated with Ripley. It’s coming from a completely different angle. It’s kind of more of a sequel… after, after after. I’m coming at it from the back end.”
Are we to take “after, after, after” to mean that “Alien 5” takes place maybe 30 or 40 years after the events of Cameron’s “Aliens” and that Sigourney Weaver can play the role as her 65-year-old self? Time will tell.
Scott also says said the “Prometheus” sequels could wind up forming a trilogy. “If there’s one next, I think there will be one [or] two more before I explain why that ship landed [on the planet featured in ‘Alien‘] and how Sigourney Weaver[’s character] arrived.”
Personally, “Prometheus” sounded much more interesting when Scott claimed the film would veer off and become its own thing and no longer bear connections to “Alien," but now he’s gotten into a kind of “Star Wars” prequel idea of literally spelling things out — and therefore further killing the mysteries of everything. Well, it’s his franchise I guess, but that’s not exactly very exciting.
Scott says he wants to try and make two films a year going forward, and says he’s basically already starting that — noting that “Exodus: Gods And Kings” was completed eleven months ago. Scott also suggested he’d like to make a smaller film after “Prometheus 2,” in the same way he followed “Prometheus” with “The Counselor,” which he shot in a down and dirty seven weeks.
Will the disembodied head of Michael Fassbender get his body back in “Prometheus 2”? “It’s really great, it’s a very nice big idea I’ve got . It’s fantastic,” he said.
Thoughts? Still psyched for more “Prometheus,” or “Alien 5”? Weigh in below.