From Closure to Rebirth: Ridley Scott's Journey with the Alien Franchise
Ridley Scott has shared his initial belief that the Alien franchise had reached its conclusion following Alien: Resurrection in 1997. However, the release of Prometheus changed his perspective.
Scott reflected on his earlier sentiments, stating that he mistakenly felt the franchise had run its course. During the original series of films, he collaborated with notable directors such as Jim Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet. He expressed that the magic had faded, calling the original concept worn out. In an upcoming issue of Total Film landing on September 12, he elaborated on this sentiment.
In an intriguing twist, Scott found renewed inspiration almost inadvertently. He emphasized the critical importance of the creature in the narrative, mentioning that the film's success hinged on effectively depicting this being. He noted that it was crucial not to rely on cliched representations, as tension is heightened when less is shown, contrary to films that resort to extreme violence without creating suspense. He aimed to steer clear of that approach, which consequently resulted in a deficiency of guidance in the franchise.
Upon reflection, Scott recognized the potential of the franchise, calling it one of the largest in cinema history, second only to franchises like Star Wars and Star Trek. He noted that there had plenty of areas left to traverse in the narrative. This thought prompted him to collaborate with Damon Lindelof, leading to brainstorming sessions that birthed the idea for Prometheus.
The prequel Prometheus debuted in 2012, later followed by Alien: Covenant in 2017. The most recent addition to the series, Alien: Romulus, premiered last month, slotting itself within the timeline between the original 1979 film and its sequel, Aliens, released in 1986.
Alien: Romulus is currently screening in theaters. For more insights from Ridley Scott with supplemental material, readers can dive into the most recent release of Total Film, becoming accessible both on physical shelves and online platforms from September 12.
Subscribers will receive an exclusive, text-free cover in the mail, while the issue hits stores and digital outlets on September 12.
