The Alien Franchise: A 13-Year Gap And Ridley Scott's Return

Axel S�rensen

6 min read

Post on May 27, 2025

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The 13-Year Gap: A Time of Shifting Focus and Franchise Uncertainty

The Post-Alien vs. Predator Landscape:

The Alien vs. Predator films, while commercially successful, received largely negative reviews from critics and fans. This significantly impacted the franchise's direction and contributed to the lengthy delay in producing a new Alien movie.

• Critical panning of Alien vs. Predator films: Both films were criticized for their deviation from the established Alien lore, prioritizing action over atmosphere and suspense, core elements of the original film's success.
• Box office performance: While profitable, the films didn't reach the box office heights of the original Alien films, raising concerns about the franchise's potential for future success.
• Impact on fan perception: The perceived betrayal of the Alien franchise's established tone and atmosphere created a sense of unease and uncertainty amongst dedicated fans.
• Studio hesitation: The mixed critical and fan reception created hesitation within the studio, delaying further development of the franchise until a clearer path forward could be established.

Exploring New Creative Avenues:

The 13-year gap wasn't simply a result of studio inertia. Significant time was dedicated to exploring new creative avenues for the Alien franchise.

• Script development issues: Crafting a compelling story that lived up to the legacy of the original Alien proved challenging. Multiple scripts were developed and discarded before a suitable direction was found.
• Directorial searches: Finding a director capable of capturing the essence of the Alien universe while also bringing a fresh perspective was a crucial part of the process.
• Exploration of prequel narratives: The decision to explore the origins of the xenomorph and the broader Alien universe through prequel narratives significantly impacted the timeline and development process.
• Budget concerns: Producing a high-quality science fiction film requires significant financial investment, and securing the necessary funding added to the overall delay.

Ridley Scott's Return: Prometheus and Alien: Covenant

Prometheus: A Prequel with Ambitions:

Ridley Scott's return with Prometheus marked a significant turning point for the Alien franchise. This prequel attempted to expand the Alien mythology by introducing new characters and exploring the origins of the xenomorphs.

• The film's plot and characters: Prometheus introduced the Engineers, a powerful extraterrestrial species, and explored themes of creation, evolution, and the dangers of unchecked ambition.
• Critical and commercial success/failure: Prometheus received a mixed critical reception, with praise for its visual spectacle and philosophical themes but criticism for its pacing and plot inconsistencies. Commercially, it was a moderate success.
• Exploration of philosophical themes: The film delved into deeper philosophical questions about humanity's place in the universe, creating a more complex narrative than the original Alien.
• Introduction of Engineers: The Engineers served as a significant addition to the Alien universe's mythology, offering a potential explanation for the xenomorph's creation.

Alien: Covenant: A Direct Link to the Original Alien:

Alien: Covenant aimed to be a more direct sequel to the original Alien, bridging the gap between Prometheus and the classic 1979 film.

• The film's plot and characters: Covenant focused on a colonization ship encountering a planet inhabited by the Engineers, leading to a confrontation with the xenomorphs.
• Its connection to the original Alien: The film featured a return to the claustrophobic atmosphere and suspenseful horror that defined the original Alien, while also expanding upon the xenomorph's origins.
• Xenomorph origins: Covenant provided a clearer connection between the Engineers and the xenomorphs, further developing the universe’s backstory.
• Critical and commercial reception: Alien: Covenant, like Prometheus, received a mixed critical reception, with some praising its return to the series' horror roots while others criticized its plot inconsistencies. It had moderate commercial success.
• Its place in the overall Alien timeline: Covenant served as a crucial stepping stone, directly linking the events of Prometheus to the narrative of the original Alien, solidifying its place within the expanded franchise timeline.

The Legacy and Future of the Alien Franchise

Impact on the Franchise's Narrative:

Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, while divisive, undeniably impacted the Alien franchise’s narrative.

• Reimagining the Xenomorph origins: Scott's prequels offered a new perspective on the xenomorph's creation, expanding the mythology beyond the original film's mysteries.
• Expansion of the universe's mythology: The introduction of the Engineers and the exploration of their civilization significantly expanded the scope of the Alien universe.
• Impact on future film possibilities: The prequels, despite their mixed reception, opened up numerous avenues for future Alien films, exploring different aspects of the expanded universe.

Potential for Future Installments:

The future of the Alien franchise remains exciting, with numerous possibilities building on Scott’s prequels.

• Potential storylines: The expanded mythology offers fertile ground for future stories, exploring the Engineers' civilization, the evolution of the xenomorphs, and the ongoing conflict between humanity and the extraterrestrial threats.
• New characters: The introduction of new characters in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant creates opportunities for fresh narratives and perspectives within the Alien universe.
• The continued relevance of the Alien universe: The themes of survival, isolation, and the dangers of unchecked technological advancement remain relevant and resonant with audiences, ensuring the continued appeal of the Alien franchise.
• Potential for TV series or further films: The rich lore created by Scott's prequels could translate well into a television series, exploring different aspects of the Alien universe in greater detail.

Conclusion:

The 13-year gap in the Alien franchise allowed for a re-evaluation of the series and ultimately led to Ridley Scott's return with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. These films, while divisive, expanded the universe’s mythology and paved the way for future explorations within the Alien franchise. The prequels, despite their mixed reception, significantly expanded the world and potential storylines for future installments.

What are your thoughts on Ridley Scott's contribution to the Alien franchise? Share your opinions on Prometheus and Alien: Covenant in the comments below, and let's discuss the future of this iconic science fiction horror series! Do you hope to see more installments in the Alien franchise?