Director Ridley Scott Shares The Thing He Got Wrong About Alien Franchise

by

Director Ridley Scott Shares The Thing He Got Wrong About Alien Franchise

Key Takeaways

  • Ridley Scott initially thought the Alien franchise was over after Alien Resurrection, but rediscovered its potential with Prometheus.
  • Scott avoided excessive blood and gore in Alien films to maintain tension and said proper handling of the monster is key to the franchise’s success.
  • Scott’s direction adds realism, terror, and innovation to the Alien franchise, with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant exploring themes of creation and evolution.

As a seasoned gamer and an ardent fan of the Alien franchise, I can’t help but feel a sense of reverence for Ridley Scott’s contributions to this iconic series. Having grown up with the terrifying Xenomorph, I can attest that Scott’s direction has been instrumental in maintaining the franchise’s chilling allure and its enduring place in the annals of horror cinema.

Ridley Scott openly shared his feelings regarding the Alien series. This renowned British director in the realms of sci-fi, horror, and crime confessed that by 1997, he believed the Alien story had already been told.

The “Alien” movie series began with the original film, titled “Alien,” which was released in 1979 and directed by Ridley Scott. This initial installment was a massive success, receiving an impressive 93% score on Rotten Tomatoes, and left a significant impact on cinema. Subsequently, it led to three subsequent films: “Aliens” (1986), “Alien 3” (1992), and “Alien Resurrection” (1997). The franchise also birthed the “Prometheus” prequel series, comprising “Prometheus” (2012) and “Alien: Covenant” (2017), both of which were helmed by Ridley Scott. In a recent interview, Scott shared an intriguing perspective about the franchise.

Scott has a lengthy association with the “Alien” series, having directed the initial film. Initially thinking it was finished after the third installment, “Alien: Resurrection,” he reconsidered upon working on “Prometheus.” As he shared with GameRadar+, “In my mistaken belief about Alien, I thought the old monster had run its course. Because when we made the first set of films, it was me, Jim [Cameron], David [Fincher], and the French guy [Jean-Pierre Jeunet] – four of us. They exhausted the franchise. The monster did too.” However, he discovered the creature by chance. The original title for the first film in the series was “Star Beast,” which later became “Alien.” According to him, without that discovery, there wouldn’t have been a movie, and they had to design the creature appropriately to make it effective.

Instead of proceeding with elements that would only lead to its destruction, the director opted for a different approach. He was referring to the enigma of this creature, and how less can often be more in terms of maintaining suspense. It’s easier to create a violent film without tension, but he wanted to avoid that. He felt a sense of sorrow towards the franchise as it held significant value for him, much like Star Wars and Star Trek. Subsequently, he collaborated with screenwriter Damon Lindelof, who co-wrote Prometheus with him. So, they sat down at a table, brainstorming potential directions for their work, which eventually led to the creation of Prometheus.

As a die-hard Alien fan, I can confidently say that Ridley Scott plays a pivotal role in the enduring success of this iconic franchise. His knack for creating realistic, heart-pounding horror within the realm of sci-fi sets Alien apart from other films in the genre. The masterful visuals, gripping pace, and innovative storytelling have solidified its place as a timeless classic. When Scott returned to the franchise with Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, it was a brilliant decision. These films not only introduced fresh storylines but also stayed true to the roots of the Xenomorphs. The philosophical questions they pose about creation and evolution make for thought-provoking viewing. If Scott decides to delve deeper into these themes in future installments, fans like me will be more than eager – as long as the new films offer a compelling narrative while staying faithful to the core mythology of the franchise, ensuring their relevance and maintaining the magic that has kept us hooked for decades.

Read More

2024-09-22 15:24