In Hollywood, no one can hear you scream. With the release of the newest entry into the legendary space franchise, Alien: Covenant, set for release next week, publicity for the film has begun to ramp up ahead of its impending release and many little stories and insights on the film, and the franchise as whole, have begun to creep out.
But while director Ridley Scott is keen to talk about the new entry and the rumoured sequels that are already being lined up for the future, word did turn to the “forgotten” Alien project – that of the long-talked about Alien 5, written and directed by Neill Blomkamp (Chappie, District 9). Originally announced a few years ago, the new film was set to follow Alien and Aliens and create a new timeline that didn’t include Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection, a la Bryan Singer’s Superman Returns.
But despite Sigourney Weaver and Michael Biehn both keen to be involved and early art work released, news had dried up of late and the final nail in its coffin may have just been delivered by Scott, who says the film is dead.
Speaking to Allocine, the director said:
“There was never a script… It was an idea that evolved from, I believe, a 10-page pitch, and I was meant to be part of the producers on that. It didn’t evolve. Fox decided that they didn’t want to do it and that was it. I’d already done ‘Prometheus’ and I was planning ‘Covenant’ so I dunno.”
Then asked if the film will ever make it to the screen, Scott said: “I don’t think so, no.”
And like that, Alien 5 is seemingly dead. While we are excited to see what Scott produces with Alien: Covenant, we can’t help but feel a little disappointed that Blomkamp’s ideas won’t make it to the big screen after all.
Alien: Covenant opens on May 12th.
