What If Ridley Scott Directed Aliens?

Despite the fact that Ridley Scott’s initial “Alien” movie was a major hit both critically and commercially, he was not asked to direct the sequel. In fact, it took 33 years for him to revisit the science fiction series. Over the course of his career, Scott has helmed three films in the “Alien” franchise: the original movie, “Prometheus” from 2012, and “Alien: Covenant” in 2017. These movies demonstrate that Scott is an exceptional science fiction director with a desire to steer the franchise into daring new territories.

1979’s “Alien” is often ranked among the greatest science fiction films ever made. Remarkably, Ridley Scott didn’t helm “Aliens,” released in 1986, instead. James Cameron was brought on board to direct “Aliens,” a decision that proved fruitful given his success with “The Terminator” at the time. Similarly to how Scott’s initial film ignited the franchise, Cameron’s “Aliens” also achieved massive success. Yet, it remains intriguing to ponder why Scott chose not to return for “Aliens” following the success of the first movie.

Why Ridley Scott Didn’t Direct Aliens

Scott Didn’t Want To Direct A Sequel To Alien

As it turns out, I was initially not the studio’s preferred pick to helm the groundbreaking Alien film. Interestingly enough, I was actually the fourth choice for Brandywine Production to direct this now-legendary sci-fi movie. However, fate had other plans, and I was eventually offered the job following the success of my first full-length film, 1977’s The Duelists, which won the prestigious Best First Work prize at the Cannes Film Festival.

Surprisingly, despite the enormous success of Alien, I wasn’t the studio’s first choice for the sequel either. In a 2019 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, I shared that fact.

It’s worth noting that I wasn’t offered a chance for the follow-up. Perhaps my tough persona during filming made them hesitant to bring me back. Additionally, I wasn’t particularly keen on doing a sequel at the time. Consequently, I wouldn’t have participated in it anyway.

Scott’s remarks make it clear that, despite being given the opportunity, he wouldn’t have taken up the chance to direct Aliens because he wasn’t keen on creating sequels during that period. It’s intriguing that the studio didn’t ask him to direct Aliens, considering he produced Blade Runner in the 1980s, a science fiction masterpiece often ranked among the greatest of all time. Instead of directing Aliens, Scott ventured into several other film genres, including action thrillers, historical dramas, and even fantastical stories.

What We Know About Ridley Scott’s Ideas For Alien 2

Scott’s Alien Sequel Would Have Been Much Larger In Scope

Although Scott never fully committed to creating a sequel for the original Alien movie, he has given some insights into what his vision might have entailed through interviews. Unlike the 1979 film, which focuses on a self-contained horror narrative about an unknown alien terrorizing the crew of Nostromo with Sigourney Weaver’s character Ellen Ripley, Scott’s proposed sequel would likely delve deeper into world-building and offer a more expansive sci-fi experience.

As per the account in “Strange Shapes”, Scott intended for his follow-up to Alien to delve into the true nature and origin of the Xenomorph. This intent would have given his sequel a broader scope, encompassing various planets, worlds, and civilizations. While the initial film captivates due to its enigmatic Xenomorph, it appears that Scott aimed to unravel its origins in the sequel. Such revelations, according to the director, could have made the sequel more intriguing than the original Alien film.

What Prometheus Tells Us About What Scott’s Alien 2 Could’ve Been

Prometheus Marked Scott’s Return To The Alien Franchise

The fifth film in the Alien franchise, titled Prometheus, delved into all the topics Scott likely intended to address in his sequel to Alien. Whereas the first four Alien movies focused on Ripley’s encounters with Xenomorphs and other alien creatures, Prometheus was set before the initial film in the Alien timeline and provided long-awaited answers to questions surrounding the franchise. In Prometheus, it is disclosed that the Engineers were responsible for creating the Xenomorphs and potentially humans as well.

In the Alien series, a mysterious ancient race known as Engineers were skilled in genetic engineering. They developed a strange black substance that could both generate and annihilate life. As portrayed in Alien: Covenant, which serves as a continuation of Prometheus, director Ridley Scott depicts an android named David, created by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, using this same black liquid to wipe out the Engineers’ prosperous civilization, thus triggering the birth of additional Xenomorphs and other extraterrestrial creatures. Consequently, many elements from Ridley Scott’s ideas for an Alien sequel are reflected in both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.

Why Ridley Scott Took So Long To Return To The Alien Franchise

Scott Returned To The Alien Franchise With An Ambitious Plan After 33 Years

From his previous remarks, it’s evident that Scott didn’t receive offers for Alien sequels during the early stages of his career. Given this fact and possibly due to the studio wanting fresh perspectives on the series, Scott was not initially approached to direct any Alien sequels prior to Prometheus. While Cameron’s Aliens was a box office hit, Alien 3 (1992) and Alien: Resurrection (1997) were met with negative reviews by critics. This paved the way for Scott’s return to the franchise in 2012.

After more than three decades, Scott found himself yearning for additional discoveries within the Alien universe. Notably, although Prometheus serves as a prequel rather than a sequel, it marked his reentry into a film he had previously contributed to. Evidently, he relished the process of making Prometheus, as he also helmed Alien: Covenant. It’s been eight years since the launch of his last contribution to the sci-fi series, but Scott is currently working on a sequel to Alien: Covenant, potentially delving deeper into the enigmas that the franchise presents if it eventually comes to fruition.

I Love Aliens, But I’ll Always Imagine What Scott’s Sequel Would’ve Been Like

Scott’s Sequel To Alien Would Have Been Fascinating

Given that Scott showed little enthusiasm for directing an Alien sequel, it seems prudent that the studio opted to hire Cameron instead for Aliens. Though the style was distinct from Scott’s original film, Aliens turned out to be a blockbuster success and solidified the series as a significant Hollywood franchise. Nevertheless, I can’t help but wonder how Scott’s interpretation of an Alien sequel would have played out had he directed it during the 80s.

It’s clear that Prometheus and Alien: Covenant delve deeply into themes that Ridley Scott was particularly fascinated with within the series. Compared to Alien, these films are more expansive science fiction stories involving various planets and advanced civilizations – something he couldn’t fully explore due to budget limitations in the original movie. So, it might have been wise for him to wait 33 years before making another Alien film, but I can’t help but ponder what his sequel would have been like.

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2025-04-20 00:12