In a new interview with Funhaus, Neill Blomkamp has spoken a little about his work on and what happened to his proposed Alien 5. While the interview is primarily about his recent work on the fantastic Oats Studios, the hosts can’t help but sneak in some questions about Blomkamp’s involvement with existing properties such as Halo and Alien.
Blomkamp doesn’t go into specifics about the story, but he does talk a little about how far he got into working on the alternate Alien 3 and re-emphasizes that the film started as a Ripley-less film that would turn into an alternate Alien 3 after talking to her on the set of Chappie.
“I basically worked on Alien for about…I met Sigourney on Chappie and I had a different idea for an Alien film I wanted to make. So I had this idea for a story set in the world of those two first films that was not a continuation of James Cameron’s. It was just in the world of it and it had a totally different character that was the lead character. Because my assumption was that Sigourney would just never make another one and I told her about it on Chappie and she was like “No, no, no! I actually would make another one because I felt like Ripley’s story didn’t end correctly.” I was like “oh, okay. That’s amazing!”
So I went back to Vancouver and while I was editing Chappie I started to think about what I would do with Sigourney as basically a sequel to James Cameron’s film. I spent about a year working on it with only Sigourney knowing and I hired one really awesome concept artist. We put together essentially a script and all the artwork and that’s what I went to 20th Century Fox with. They seemed really into it and Ridley came on as producer and then it just unraveled. “
Blomkamp does go on to talk a little about the film’s apparent cancellation. Again, he doesn’t go into specifics but seems to hint at it being due to Ridley’s involvement as producer.
“It’s very difficult to speak about on several levels because Ridley created Alien. It was something that inspired me deeply. I got into film because of it. Everything that happened with my script and with the way the film collapsed – it’s hard to talk about it without it seeming like I’m bashing him which is like one of my idols to get into film. It’s a super strange psychological place but films go down in Hollywood all the time. That’s just essentially, I think, what happened and it sucks for me…It’s not that it sucks for Sigourney, it’s not going to make any difference to her, but I think she really did like the story because it allowed Ripley to…it really felt like a cool third film.”
Last month, Blomkamp was asked about the current condition of the film where he re-affirmed that the film was unlikely to happen: “I think it’s totally dead, yes. That would be an accurate assumption at this point.
It’s sad. I spent a long time working on that, and I feel like it was really pretty awesome. But politically, the way it’s gone now, and the way that it all is — it’s just not going to live.”
Thanks to HippyHunter7 via r/LV426 for the link. Keep a close eye on Alien vs. Predator Galaxy for the latest Alien news! You can follow us on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram to get the latest on your social media walls. You can also join in with fellow Alien fans on our forums!
I disagree.
I love PROMETHEUS. I even like AVP(Paul WS Anderson).
I think the only REALLY BAD/AWFUL movie is AvP: Requiem.
Alien 3 and 4 suck donkey balls.
I'd say Alien Resurrection f**ked up everyth using. Alien 3 merely gave us an ending to Ripley's story.
Folks on both sides think they speak for the broader fanbase, its pretty funny.
It would be much better if people simply stated their own opinions and wants for this series without trying to attach them to the the rest of the community.
Just about everyone here has their own personal spin on what they like and want to see from this franchise.
Personally a "dark swiss family robinson in space" sounds absolutely terrible in regards to this universe. But hey, to each their own.
All your opinion I guess.
I enjoyed A:C well enough and I think Ridley has earned his status as a top film maker.
I have no problem with Blomkamp doing an Alien film, it would probably be pretty cool. I just don't want to see Ripley, Hicks, and Newt brought back just because.
People wanted a dark Swiss Family Robinson in space after Aliens. That's basically the direction that film took the series in. People wanted the series to be based on certain beloved characters and not just about alien creatures with no personality. They are alligators for all intents and purposes...
You're both right. I know SpreadEagleBeagle will be angry - but as good (with the obligatory "yet flawed") a film as AL III EN is... it f**ked everything up in terms of future movies. No one really liked it at the time, most people STILL don't like it (OK - prefer it, I like it, but I wish that it didn't exist). The sequence above would have been entirely satisfying - and maybe even would't have relied on Ripley being in it at all after Aliens.
I agree 100%.
In a funny note:
I think We(the fanboys of ALIEN and ALI3NS) care about this way more than David Fincher.
Fincher hates ALI3NS and hated the process. He doesn't give a damn if NB and FOX erased ALI3NS from History.
HUH???
A lot of lunatics out in the world...
Oh my god. You nailed it. We could've been done. That sequence of films would've been amazing.
Don't ever forget that this is all the fault of Alien 3. The franchise arguably has STILL not recovered.
Well said
Aliens 1986 "Ripley and Space Marines return to LV-426 and fight more Aliens"
Alien 3 1992 "Weyland-Yutani brings Aliens back to Earth!"
Alien 4 1997 "Finding the Alien Homeworld and wiping them out once and for all!"
Alien 5 2001 "Alien prequel that features xenomorphs' origins and the Space Jockey race"
That's all I ever wanted as a fan of the Alien Saga
Actually, I have no disdain for ALIENS and Cameron. I have disdain for the hype, over-appreciation and god status.
I guess I was too subtle in my sarcasm...
Probably.
I'm pretty sure people will start to appreciate AC more in the future. I can easily imagine some rabid Alien 5 "fanboy" of today turning 20 in a couple of years and realizing that "Wait a minute, this movie is actually good and has a lot of depth. I guess the I got caught up in the social media frenzy. Lesson learned: the highest upvoted comment is by no means necessarily the most correct comment. I will now have a more open mindset free of social media bias when viewing cinematic art in the future."
At the same time though, I truly hope this Alien 5 thing turns into a meme to haunt Blomkamp forever. Just imagine 20 years into the future, Blomkamp has just released the third part in his District 9 saga which is exactly the same thing as the first one except now the main character is a South African rapper with progeria whose best friend is a conscious robot Walrus, trying to both fight social injustice and his rapid ageing at the same time. During the highly anticipated premier, Blomkamp is interviewed about the movie. The interview goes well, asking about the movie and the production hurtles etc. until the very last question, which would go something like this:
"District 11 has been quite an anticipated movie, but I think I speak for most people when I say that what the fans really want is Alien 5. Are there any plans to resurrect this movie? *Editors note: De-aging the now 90 year old Sigourney Weaver in a respectable way is now technologically feasible*
Neill Blomkamp's face starts reddening, he stammers something which slightly resembles curses directed toward the now deceased Ridley Scott (may peace be upon him) before fleeing the scene with tears rolling down his cheeks.
Alien 3 fans have such a disdain for Aliens and Cameron...I don't understand it but I find it hilarious.
The best sci-fi movie never made is Jodorowsky's DUNE, and there is a documentary about it.
Blomkamp's ALIENS 2 is just glorified fan-fiction meant to please ALIENS fans and Cameronites.
Yah, in time they will be making a documentary entitled Blomkamp's Alien. The best sci-fi film never made. This film has just gone to martyr status.
In his case I think it's the wrong side of the box.
https://encrypted-tbn0.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcSI5wqDcZPFKWBx2VCbB81urJ0NhbXE78Ep9G2gdLVB2KKRSNgJGA
Yeah, unfortunately that was all he mentioned.
Well someones upset
That's probably the answer: casting someone young(ish) and hot as Newt, or a new main character.
It's exactly what they're doing with Blade Runner - Harrison Ford isn't expected to carry the box office, so they've cast irritating superhunk Ryan Gosling to fill out the posters.
And only, from the looks of it. That's a shame. I was really hoping to learn more.
Maybe if they got a really famous and current star. Someone like Jennifer Lawrence.
FOX doesn't have faith in NB and 2 really old actors: SW and Hicks.
It's called Karma, bitch. Reap it.
You tried your hand and failed.
I actually think Sigourney Weaver could be the exception to the rule. People would come out to see that movie. Especially with the dynamic of Hicks and Newt in tow? Gangbusters!
It's doubtful. Hollywood was and is sexist.
It's impossible a 70-80 million dollar film about a 70 year old woman(Sigourney Weaver).
Well it's about time!
Maybe FOX don't want Sigourney Weaver as the lead.
It's common with very old men: Harrison Ford, Sylvester Stallone, etc....
But I NEVER saw a big movie with an old woman(Sigourney Weaver) as the lead.
I was referring to Blomkamp, dummy.
Yeah, District 9 "needs" a sequel (or prequel).
He's already answered that one.
And create a role so good that Daniel Day-Lewis would come out of retirement to play it.
Bah, we all know you have Rupert's ear.
And I'm sure Hicks can manage to pull a lever despite the inconvenience of wearing a straight-jacket.
Has anyone asked him about Turk yet?
Wouldn't surprise me if he had Dakota Fanning in mind for Newt.
Looks like its 5pm BST. I was planning on asking about that original Alien concept and who he envisioned replacing Carrie Henn if 3.2 had been made.
https://www.reddit.com/r/movies/comments/6n28se/i_am_neill_blomkamp_director_of_chappie_district/?st=j52mfoae&sh=9ec19656
Thread is here.
All entirely besides the point.
Well I can't speak for Hicks, but I'm not even on the same continent as the lever, nevermind pulling it.
So it will happen if they want to.
And you know this how?
unless they will
you know this how again?
I doubt you have any authority on the matter...
But hey, if I am talking to the wallet of FOX... can we please have conclusions for the storylines in Aliens: Colonial Marines and Alien : Isolation first?
No? Well then... anything is possible then I guess...
A sequel to the under-performing film in the franchise. Won't happen.
Essentially a retcon.
Already being made.
After the last ones got such poor reviews? Nope.
That's likely to happen.
TV series/streaming. Maybe.
Not so long as money exists.
SM, that's too cryptic for me! Did you guys mention this to your contacts? Sorry - I'm still only half way down my coffee...