Ridley Scott Regrets Not Getting The Alien Movie Franchise Rights

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Key Takeaways

  • Ridley Scott regrets not securing ownership of Alien and Blade Runner franchises.
  • Alien: Romulus sequel confirmed, potential return of original stars.
  • Fans hope for a successful future for the Alien franchise after the success of Romulus.

As a seasoned gamer and longtime fan of the Alien franchise, I can’t help but feel a mix of nostalgia, anticipation, and a hint of disappointment upon hearing Ridley Scott’s recent confession about his regrets regarding the franchise. It’s like finding out Indiana Jones had a hidden stash of artifacts all this time, but he didn’t share them with us fans.

The “Alien” films made a comeback in cinemas with the hit movie “Alien: Romulus”. The original “Alien” director, Ridley Scott, played a key role in shaping the new installment of this franchise. Now, the filmmaker is expressing one regret he has concerning the “Alien” series.

Initially released in 1979, the movie “Alien” eventually gained widespread acclaim as one of the top science fiction productions. This classic film inspired a 1986 sequel by James Cameron, often considered as good as or even better than the original. However, the “Alien” series encountered some challenges in the ’90s and 2000s with follow-ups and collaborations that some critics felt didn’t live up to the initial two movies. Ridley Scott took over directing duties again in the 2010s for the “Alien” prequels, “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant”, but he expresses regret about reviving the franchise.

In a conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, Scott expressed disappointment that he and his Scott Free team don’t own the rights to the Alien and Blade Runner franchises. Despite having produced Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus, their lack of ownership means they must secure permission to participate in any future Alien or Blade Runner projects. Scott suggests that some of this predicament can be attributed to the past management of his production company.

“I believe we made a mistake by not securing control of those properties, similar to how Steven Spielberg protected Jurassic Park and everything he creates, or James Cameron safeguarded his projects. I revived the Alien franchise through Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, and it would have been wise for us to reclaim ownership at that point. However, we neglected to do so because of carelessness.

20th Century Studios head Steve Asbell nearly confirmed a sequel to the film “Alien: Romulus”, though a deal with Álvarez wasn’t finalized at the time of the announcement. However, they were developing an idea and Asbell hinted that Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, who starred in the original, would reprise their roles. It appears Ridley Scott must secure his place on the team, but the president and COO of Scott Free Productions emphasized the necessity of involving Scott and the production company in any future “Alien” or “Blade Runner” projects. Brown stated, “It wouldn’t be logical to make another movie without Ridley and us.

The prospects of the Alien series are a mix of optimism and uncertainty. While Alien: Romulus has reinvigorated the franchise, many enthusiasts fervently wish for the movie series to steer clear of past errors. A possible solution could be refraining from making Rain, played by Cailee Spaeny in Alien: Romulus, the next Ellen Ripley. It’s yet unknown what Álvarez and 20th Century Studios have in store for the Alien franchise, but following the resurgence of the film series with Romulus, fans are eagerly anticipating its continuation.

The Alien movies are available on Disney Plus.

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2024-11-10 16:25