Alan Dean Foster to pen Alien: Covenant novelization! This is news I’m really happy to announce! There hasn’t been an English novelization of an Alien (or Predator) film since Marc Cerasini adapted Paul W.S Anderson and Shane Salerno’s Alien vs. Predator script in 2004. There was a Japanese adaptation done for Prometheus.
Alien vs. Predator Galaxy spoke to Alan Dean Foster over the weekend who confirmed that he was returning to write a novelization of the upcoming Alien: Covenant. Unfortunately we have no further details to share but I expect we’ll get more information and a release date after the new year when promotion kicks in for the film.
Alan Dean Foster to pen Alien: Covenant novelization! Picture is cover art for an Alien novelization by Mr Foster.
Alan Dean Foster wrote the three original Alien novelizations but after the difficulty he had working on Alien 3, he declined to return to write the Alien: Resurrection adaptation. Back in 2006 I had the pleasure of interviewing Mr Foster who chatted to us about his experience writing the novelizations.
“I was asked to do Resurrection. Because of the problems I experienced in writing 3, I turned it down. I’m a bit regretful now (but only a bit). It was better than 3. I was not offered the A vs. P books, which is just as well. I would have disliked being a party to simultaneously demolishing not one but two important SF film franchises.”
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Updated 27/09/2016 – Hidden away on Alan Dean Foster’s website is a comment he made regarding his work on the novelization and “other original material“:
“I’m currently writing the novelization, plus some unique original material, for ALIEN:COVENANT. An unusual approach that’s never been tried before in a novelization. Look for it, along with the film, next year.”
Maybe they'll finally publish the Prometheus book in English as well?
These are the two possibilities that occurred to me.
Nope. There was an AvP novelization but never an AvPR one.
I've no idea. I'll ask him what he means. Obviously he wont be able to say much, if any, though.
Aliens and Alien Resurrection are vastly different movies despite being action packed marine oriented stories. Aliens is built around a framework which invests the viewer's emotions (exactly like Jurrasic Park) by having us experience the thrill ride while caring for a little child in the face of monsters, while all of this is missing in AR. It is back to an ice cold reality.
Or does it mean he's writing some material to be filmed as a viral/accompanying movie for the film?
No, James Cameron thinks that too.
I'd have to say I'd read the novelization first. One because I'm a sucker for spoilers and two because of the website. lol
I think his experience working on 3 will have coloured his opinion somewhat. And whilst I do love Alien 3 despite its flaws, Resurrection is less of a mess of a film.
Hopefully I'll get a chance to chat to him properly about the novel after the film and find out a bit more backstory about his involvement.
Also, just noticed this comment on ADF's website:
Wonder what this could mean?
One the one hand most will say that Alien 3 despite its flaws hold well for a bleak artistic style in the vein of "Rildey Scott's Alien Haunted House in space Horror" in terms of artistic integrity Alien 3 has garnered some respect.
Whereas some others, a fair minority prefer Alien Resurrection's attempt to retread the "James Cameron Action-esque Roller Coaster, Pop Corn Entertainment angle" for this reason despite its many problems some may find more fun with Resurrection. Also he probably had more hate for Alien 3 for killing off Hicks, Newt, Bishop and Ripley at the end.
Question remains, does this mean that Alien Covenant has a script/story of quality that has impressed Alan Dean Foster enough to want to adapt it for a novelization, or could we just assume its solely for a pay check, wishful thinking I strongly hope its because he's seen something of value.
If someone has it in E-book form, I could give a shot at a translation... Though I'm not sure about the legality of releasing something like that...
Good to know Covenant is getting an ADF novel adaption! Once more echoing everyone else in hoping that he gives Prometheus a go as well. Dark Horse comic adaptions wouldn't hurt either.
Good question....I think I'd watch the movie first then read the novel, who knows...
Stop with the Logic and proper reasoning lmao
There was a comment by Robert Meyer Burnett a few days ago who said the Covenant script was apparently "incredible". Hopefully that's the reason why ADF took this job. I don't think he does this kind of thing just for the money anymore.
You could always learn Kanji if you're that desperate for a Prometheus novelization.
Hopefully we will get a Dark Horse graphic novel adaptation as well. Ditto for Prometheus..
I'd just like an English one and I'm sure he'd fix certain things and maybe use bits from Engineers and Genesis lol
Depends on what script they're being adapted from. Usually though they're based on the shooting script before any editing so you'll often get to read deleted or alternate scenes. Those differences are primarily the fun of reading the novelizations.
Really depends on how secretive they're going to be about the film. Conservatively, I'd expect maybe a couple of weeks before the film is out.
Should be expect it to be released months before the movie ?
To be fair, that was 24 years ago! I'm glad though! I'm really excited about this news. I had been hoping they'd do an adaptation and especially glad it's ADF!
Possibly. But I wouldn't want to until after it's published.
-Windebieste.