In the case ofNeill Blomkamp’sAlien 5, I turn you now to Regina George: “Stop trying to makeAlienhappen. It’s not going to happen.” But, seriously, it probably won’t.
The filmmaker offered a reality check to a fan eager to see his vision for the film, which he’s been talking about since beforeChappiehit theaters. According to atweet from Blomkampposted this weekend, the chances are “slim,” which isn’t really all that surprising.
Yes, Blomkamp releasedunofficial concept artfor a Ripley return over Instagram in 2015. Yes, he releasedmore imagerylast year teasing the return of Newt. Yes,Sigourney Weaverherself can’t stop talking about it — she said the story “forks” from the canon of the original films and gives Ripley an “ending,” she spoke about it duringan Alien Day anniversary celebration, and divulgedRidley Scottsaid Blomkamp could move forward after the sequel toPrometheus.
Yes,Michael Biehnoffereda brief story kernelabout a fully grown Newt as the star. Some of these updates were even after Blomkamp revealed the project was put on hold indefinitely in 2015. After all that, it still seemed like one of those nice thoughts that might never lift off the ground.
It’s probably not a coincidence that the hold put on the project came around the time Scott’s sequel changed its name toAlien: Paradise Lost. The film is now calledAlien: Covenant, which bares a tighter connection to the original films.
Blomkamp’s idea also didn’t seem to be something likeRogue One, an anthology film that told a new story, while remaining firm in its preset world. Since Weaver promised it would veer from canon, it’d be hard on a marketing level to explain how it ties into the previously staged films to a casual audience. (You’d be surprised how many people had trouble understanding whereRogue Onefit into the grand scheme ofStar Wars.)
Perhaps Blomkamp could helm one of Scott’s proposed sequels in the future. That’s a thought.
