I don’t believe Ridley Scott is done with the Alien movie franchise, no matter what he says. The English director launched the franchise in 1979 with the groundbreaking sci-fi horror film Alien, which established a new standard for the genre. Though the movie became a cultural touchstone, Scott did not return to direct the immediate sequels, leaving Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), and Alien: Resurrection (1997) to other filmmakers. Decades later, he revisited the franchise by directing the prequels Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), exploring the origin of the iconic Xenomorph and deepening the franchise’s mythology.
However, it seems Scott might now be finished with the franchise. In an interview with ScreenRant for Kingdom of Heaven‘s 20th anniversary, Scott suggested that he is done with the Alien franchise, saying, “I think I’ve done enough.” At 87 years of age, Scott does have several projects in development, including The Dog Stars, based on the 2012 novel by Peter Heller, and a Bee Gees biopic, which will go into production this November. However, despite what he says, it’s unlikely that Scott is truly finished with the Alien franchise.
Ridley Scott Was Reportedly Developing Another Alien Movie After Romulus’ Success
No Other Details Were Revealed
After the success of Alien: Romulus in August 2024, it was reported that Ridley Scott was developing a new Alien movie for 20th Century Studios. Directed by Fede Álvarez, the latest installment received widespread acclaim, and, financially, it was also a major success, earning over $350 million globally on an $80 million budget. This success led to the greenlighting of a sequel featuring returning characters Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson).
However, there was also a report that Scott is developing another entry in the Alien series. While specific details remain under wraps, the announcement came shortly after the news of the Romulus sequel, suggesting this could be a separate project with new characters and an original plot, or possibly even a continuation of his two prequel movies. Regardless, it does suggest that Scott is returning to the Alien franchise in the future.
Ridley Scott Will Likely Still Be Involved In Future Alien Movies
He Worked Closely With Fede Álvarez On Romulus
Even if he never directs another one himself, Ridley Scott will likely still be involved in upcoming Alien movies, considering how closely he worked with Fede Álvarez on Romulus. Scott served as a consultant and producer on the latest installment. He had conversations with Álvarez about the story and the script, offering notes and comments where he could. Scott also screened an early cut of Alien: Romulus, and though he “loved it,” he offered constructive criticism that helped him improve it.
Scott’s legacy ensures that his voice will remain a guiding force for whatever comes next for the franchise.
Considering how closely they worked together on the latest installment, it’s hard to imagine that Álvarez doesn’t loop Scott in on the Alien: Romulus sequel or any other future projects. Whether for creative input, executive producing, or simply story feedback, Scott’s legacy ensures that his voice will remain a guiding force for whatever comes next for the franchise.
The Alien Franchise Needs Ridley Scott To Return, Too
To Complete David’s Story
The Alien franchise also needs Ridley Scott to return, if only to complete David’s story. Played by Michael Fᴀssbender, David is the android introduced in Prometheus, a synthetic being with a thirst for knowledge, creation, and eventually destruction. After surviving the doomed expedition in Prometheus, David reappears in Alien: Covenant, where it is revealed that he wiped out the Engineers and began experimenting with creating new lifeforms, ultimately leading to the genesis of the Xenomorph.
Scott left David’s arc on a chilling note in Covenant, as the android hijacks a colonization vessel, posing as a different model and carrying Xenomorph embryos for further experimentation. It’s a bold and unsettling ending that demands further exploration. Only Scott, who envisioned this philosophical and horrific journey, should truly finish what he started. While he may claim he’s done, the open threads of David’s story, combined with the franchise’s reliance on Scott’s vision, suggest he will return to Alien in some capacity.
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Alien
- Movie(s)
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Alien, Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien: Resurrection (1997), Prometheus (2012), Alien: Covenant (2017), Alien: Romulus (2024)
- Created by
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Ridley Scott
- First Film
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Alien
- Latest Film
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Alien: Romulus
- Upcoming TV Shows
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Alien: Earth
- Cast
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Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, Yaphet Kotto, Michael Biehn, Paul Reiser, Lance Henriksen, Carrie Henn, Bill Paxton, Charles S. Dutton, Charles Dance, Pete Postlethwaite, Winona Ryder, Ron Perlman, Dan Hedaya, Noomi Rapace, Charlize Theron, Idris Elba, Guy Pearce, Michael Fᴀssbender, Katherine Waterston, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir
The Alien franchise, which began with Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, is a Sci-Fi series comprised of several horror films, games, and comic books centered on humanity’s encounters with a hostile extraterrestrial species known as Xenomorphs. Characterized by their lethal prowess and capability to reproduce at an alarming rate, these creatures pose a profound threat to human existence. The primary series protagonist, Ellen Ripley, acts as the voice of reason as she seeks to keep the creatures out of the hands of greed-driven corporate scientists.
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Ridley Scott
- Birthdate
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November 30, 1937
- Birthplace
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South Shields, County Durham, England
- Height
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5 feet 8 inches
- Notable Projects
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The Martian, Gladiator, Alien
- Professions
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Film Director, Producer
Discover the latest news and filmography for Ridley Scott, known for Gladiator and Blade Runner.
