The future is bright for the Alien saga with television prospects currently looking toward a different angle on things. TCA coverage last month via the trades revealed that forthcoming treatment of the franchise for the small screen will be nil to do with the character, Ripley, iconically portrayed by actress Sigourney Weaver for all four films from directors Ridley Scott, James Cameron, David Fincher and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
For what it’s worth, the same could be said for what lies ahead with the next feature installment now in development according to The Hollywood Reporter‘s Borys Kit, with news that Don’t Breathe, 2013’s Evil Dead and The Girl In The Spider’s Web helmer Fede Alvarez, a self-proclaimed fan of the franchise who reportedly “casually” pitched to Ridley Scott many years ago and “didn’t have to be asked twice” when Scott called him out of the blue late last year about directing, is now set to helm the pic.
Friday’s news also marks the latest real development since fans galvanized around conceptual artwork proposed by filmmaker Neill Blomkamp back in 2015 that would have hopefully seen him direct a version that would return the Ripley character back into the franchise. As the years passed, hopes fizzled and the District 9 and Chappie helmer since moved on with launching his Oats Studios label, as well as work on other projects, including his most recent pandemic horror thriller, Demonic.
Scott, who directed the original 1979 thriller, as well as franchise origin chapters Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, is producing the untitled film via Scott Free. The film is also primed to be a Hulu release as part of 20th Century’s advancement efforts in film production, joined alongside other franchises such as Planet Of The Apes, the upcoming Dan Trachtenberg-directed Predator continuation titled Prey, and the future installments of Free Guy among other titles.
Alvarez also served as producer on last year’s Don’t Breathe sequel from director Rodo Sayagues, and on David Blue Garcia’s latest horror redux, Texas Chainsaw Massacre, now on Netflix.