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Michael Biehn is currently in attendance at the Sheffield Film and Comic Con. I’m also at the convention and Michael Biehn just finished his talk. It primarily focused on his work aside from Aliens but the topic of Alien 5 inevitably came up.

Biehn confirmed that Neill Blomkamp had talked to him about Alien 5 but he hasn’t read a script nor has he been offered a role. He also confirmed that Neill Blomkamp’s Alien 5 will in fact be ignoring Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as if they never happened.

Biehn also spoke briefly about his relationship with Neill Blomkamp. Neill had asked Biehn to audition for a role on Chappie. He didn’t specify which role but he did say that he recorded a tape and sent it off but ultimately didn’t get the role. Despite this Biehn said he was “certain” he would be in Alien 5 and he was “optimistic” about Alien 5.

It’s been speculated that Michael Biehn would be reprising his role as Corporal Hicks ever since Neill Blomkamp shared his Alien 5 concept art at the start of the year. It showed a much older Corporal Hicks with the left side of his face burnt by acid.

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This basically means that Alien 5 is still a long way from filming if Biehn hasn't even signed a contract yet. Unless of course they are planning on using someone else for his role.

I wonder if he auditioned for Vincent's role in Chappie and lost out to Jackman's greater star power?

Perhaps Corporal Hicks can corner Biehn somewhere and press him for more info?  ;)

Thanks for the info!

It does worry me that production still seems so far off. That means the chance that the project goes up in smoke is still pretty high.

Interesting to learn he could have reunited with Weaver on that project!

This seems to be the first 100% confirmation from someone who's actually spoken to Blomkamp that it will be a retcon attempt.

I'll miss Ripley 8's potential, but at least that teleporting egg will no longer need an explanation. Can only hope that the production is as entertaining as it deserves to be.

QuoteHe also confirmed that Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 will in fact be ignoring Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as if they never happened.

UGH. What a terrible idea.

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Aug 15, 2015, 12:24:11 PM
This basically means that Alien 5 is still a long way from filming if Biehn hasn't even signed a contract yet. Unless of course they are planning on using someone else for his role.

Yeah - I'm still not expecting much from this soon. Maybe they'll start steaming ahead towards the end of the year but it's nice to know it's not being rushed.

QuoteI wonder if he auditioned for Vincent's role in Chappie and lost out to Jackman's greater star power?

Exactly my thoughts.

QuotePerhaps Corporal Hicks can corner Biehn somewhere and press him for more info?  ;)

Unfortunately not lol Back home now.

Quote from: marrerom on Aug 15, 2015, 03:29:28 PM

QuoteHe also confirmed that Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 will in fact be ignoring Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as if they never happened.

UGH. What a terrible idea.

I'm actually happy about that. Excited to see how this goes.

Quote from: Adam802 on Aug 15, 2015, 04:26:22 PM

Quote from: marrerom on Aug 15, 2015, 03:29:28 PM

QuoteHe also confirmed that Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 will in fact be ignoring Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as if they never happened.

UGH. What a terrible idea.

I'm actually happy about that. Excited to see how this goes.

You and the majority I would imagine.

I'm more than fine with this.... :)

So Alien 5 is an alternative Alien 3 then? As long as we don't see Ripley waking up in bed only to find Hicks in the shower, I'm fine with this. I don't like that it's a retcon but you know what? I'm keeping and following the original timeline.

Yeah, it seemed obvious from the get-go that Alien 5 was a retcon of Alien 3 and Rez based on all the comments Blomkamp and even Weaver said about it.  I'm glad Biehn is optimistic about this film being made because I just read an article from Bloody Disgusting that is more pessimistic and cynical.

Now we got two timelines like the Halloween and Godzilla franchises. Assuming what I said above doesn't hold true with Hick in the shower.

Hopefully the optimism isn't misplaced. I think it's good that we're getting an alternate Alien 3. While I agree that Ripley 8 had a good amount of potential, it has been 18 years and general audiences don't seem to remember the fourth (or third) film very fondly, so it doesn't surprise me that that part of the series is getting dropped.

I just hope they have an inventive central story element. The concept art of Ripley in the xeno-suit and the Derelict in some kind of warehouse gives me hope, especially since Scott is working on this in addition to Prometheus 2.

Sad news...

Was hoping Blomkamp's idea wasn't a legit retcon...I guess he more or less lied that he wasn't going to 'undo' Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection.

Then again this is what Biehn said...I'll definitely wait for FOX or Blomkamp to confirm it.

Sad to see a poor retcon fan fiction idea getting made into film...

Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 15, 2015, 08:00:03 PM
Now we got two timelines like the Halloween and Godzilla franchises. Assuming what I said above doesn't hold true with Hick in the shower.

That's assuming that this movie gets made, I am very cautious now what with Bloody Disgusting's theorizing.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 15, 2015, 04:37:09 PM
You and the majority I would imagine.

And, ironically, David Fincher.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 15, 2015, 09:58:38 PM

Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 15, 2015, 08:00:03 PM
Now we got two timelines like the Halloween and Godzilla franchises. Assuming what I said above doesn't hold true with Hick in the shower.

That's assuming that this movie gets made, I am very cautious now what with Bloody Disgusting's theorizing.

Link me to the page, brother. I'm without a computer, so my phone is my only means to internet.

Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 15, 2015, 10:34:56 PM

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 15, 2015, 09:58:38 PM

Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 15, 2015, 08:00:03 PM
Now we got two timelines like the Halloween and Godzilla franchises. Assuming what I said above doesn't hold true with Hick in the shower.

That's assuming that this movie gets made, I am very cautious now what with Bloody Disgusting's theorizing.

Link me to the page, brother. I'm without a computer, so my phone is my only means to internet.

I think Predxeno is referring to this:
http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3357375/michael-biehn-updates-neill-blomkamps-alien/ (http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3357375/michael-biehn-updates-neill-blomkamps-alien/)

Having read it, I think it's a bit reach-y. I don't take the release of the new concept piece back in July as a bad sign. The only thing I think of as potentially worrisome is that nobody has actually signed on to the movie yet, at least that we know of.

If Fox doesn't make some kind of official announcement by Christmas, I'll start to really worry. Then again, they did make Tim Lebbon alter his new books because of the movie, so that's encouraging.

^Yeah, that's the one; a retcon of Alien 3 and the deaths of so many main characters is something I've wanted for the LONGEST time so now that that dream has been realized, I'm quite concerned it's going to be taken away.

I've just read the bloody disgusting article and I'm seriously hoping it's accurate. Blomkamps vision for the series is just wrong. Retcon's are lazy, uncreative, and disrespectful of what came before. It is a misguided approach and shouldn't be persued.  I also suspect that he is insisting on total creative freedom when it comes to the writing and directing of this film which is something he hasn't earned judging by the quality of his last two films. I'm very sad at how this whole thing is turning out. I've been dying for an alien 5 ever since I saw alien resurrection.

I just tweeted at Blomkamp in the small hope that he actually replies or gives some sign. I'm not holding my breath, though.

https://twitter.com/grnbrmdd12/status/632684095319969792 (https://twitter.com/grnbrmdd12/status/632684095319969792)

Quote from: marrerom on Aug 15, 2015, 11:17:59 PM
I've just read the bloody disgusting article and I'm seriously hoping it's accurate. Blomkamps vision for the series is just wrong. Retcon's are lazy, uncreative, and disrespectful of what came before. It is a misguided approach and shouldn't be persued.  I also suspect that he is insisting on total creative freedom when it comes to the writing and directing of this film which is something he hasn't earned judging by the quality of his last two films. I'm very sad at how this whole thing is turning out. I've been dying for an alien 5 ever since I saw alien resurrection.

^ This

Retcon will not help this franchise at all. Introduce new stuff and make sure it's good. Start over with new characters and let Ripley be. She's dead, Hicks is dead and Newt is dead too. For me, it's a finished chapter.

I'm all for a separate universe, it would certainly solve many of the canon debates that this forum has been having over the years.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 16, 2015, 12:04:34 AM
I'm all for a separate universe, it would certainly solve many of the canon debates that this forum has been having over the years.

THIS!! GIVE US THIS!!

That's the only potential positive I see in this.

And even then, I bet there will still be canon wars. :laugh:  The people who invent the canon don't even follow their own rules.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 16, 2015, 12:17:01 AM
And even then, I bet there will still be canon wars. :laugh:  The people who invent the canon don't even follow their own rules.

Who would care anymore? No one would be wrong!!

Quote from: Ultramorph on Aug 15, 2015, 10:39:08 PM
The only thing I think of as potentially worrisome is that nobody has actually signed on to the movie yet, at least that we know of.

Weaver clearly has.

Quote from: marrerom on Aug 15, 2015, 11:17:59 PM
Blomkamps vision for the series is just wrong.

The only stuff we know about his vision, is that he wants to bring back psychosexual horror, biomechanical aesthetics and to emulate the presentation style of the 'Isolation' game.

Those are good developments.

QuoteRetcon's are lazy, uncreative, and disrespectful of what came before.

That seems to be more due to Weaver than him. Ironically, she was actually one of the longest voices of support for the third film (the polar opposite of its own director's view). Seems she changed her perspective and feels that, whatever this story involves, it now allows for the most compelling way to expand on the series.

As I've written before, it is quite possible that we'll be getting a modified form of various elements which were going to have featured in the Scott/Cameron/Weaver collaboration project.

Quote from: RakaiThwei on Aug 15, 2015, 06:28:30 PM
As long as we don't see Ripley waking up in bed only to find Hicks in the shower, I'm fine with this.

Nothing would put a bigger smile on my face.  :D

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 16, 2015, 12:17:01 AM
And even then, I bet there will still be canon wars. :laugh:  The people who invent the canon don't even follow their own rules.

It's hard to remain optimistic for me. Not even because I'm against the retcon, which I am (of ALIEN 3 only) but because I just don't think Alien 3 or 4 are bad enough, or should I say, I am apprehensive that they can make Blomkamp's ALIEN film better than both of those films, enough to warrant a retcon. So, oddly enough, it's hard for me to say 'Yes, that's a justifiable idea!' because I have yet to hear the idea that FOX and BLOMKAMP think warrants a retcon.
Are you all convinced this Alien film is going to be better than the last 5? I am fine with A3, and PROMETHEUS. But if I had to take a shot in the dark, based off BLOMKAMP's previous films, I would say the only Alien films I am sure he can do better than are A:R and the AVP crap fests.
Of course, its absurd to expect to read a script and have this question answered but a central concept, not so much. Eventually we will have some idea as to what makes them all so eager.

In regards to whether this can still fall through, and Biehn's report of never having read a script or receiving an offer, I would almost guarantee that someone at FOX will be asking BLOMKAMP to try and find a way to NOT explicitly ( EXPLICITLY being the keyword ) undue those films and then they will decide how to proceed based on his ability to do so.
I say this because it's no skin of their back to request this, and the producers will try to come up with something themselves.

Still, if they are going to bring Hicks back, EXPLICITLY, then they may as well retcon it.

I´m also for the separate or alternate universe and because I don´t hate Alien 3 and Resurrection, even Prometheus deserves to be in the canon of the film universe (yeah, it has it´s troubles but still way better than both craps of AVP flicks).
Alien 3 it´s a masterpiece in it´s own terms due the pre production issues, even Neil stated that we wouldn´t touch the last two Alien movies but you never know, he probably changed of mind but still I think the alternate universe is the only way to fill the expectatives of those who either love Alien 3 or both Alien 3 and Resurrection or those who hate both movies.
Still i think the only piece of the Alien universe that should be banned, erased and become "uncannon" is that travesty called ACM.

What if Michael Biehn appears to Ripley 8 as a ghost like his character appeared to Sarah Conor in Terminator 2 (Special Edition).  He already has experience portraying the ghost of one of his characters so he is already suited for the role.  Also keep in mind that Kenobi appeared to Luck in Empire/Jedi and both of those films were well received.

That is just one good example of how you don't need to dismiss A3 and A:R to bring back Hicks for Alien 5.

I've said it til I'm blue in the face, but Shaw's African dream sequence in Prometheus gives Blomkamp the perfect out. Just have a monitor on the Sulaco showing (in that exact style) Ripley 8 throwing herself off the gantry from Alien 3, or bald Ripley caressing the newborn and in one shot you keep the previous films in canon as hypersleep nightmares AND you tie the new film explicitly to Prometheus. It may not be completely satisfying, but it allows everything to co-exist. You can see Hicks and Newt's psyches wrestling too, to stop it being so on the nose (also handily filling in some back story for those characters while limiting clunky exposition). Starting in either sleep or dreams is a hallmark of the series, regardless. Aliens starts with a nightmare, after all.

Regardless of how anything fits, this is a logical play for the studio. While it may not be the absolute status quo here, there is a lot of public love for the first and second movies and their events. From a business stand point it makes sense to hark back to these as opposed to risking something totally new. Studios are not renowned for taking risks after all. Aside from that, Weaver isn't going to need this series forever (I'd be surprised if she survives this one, honestly) and having two characters in Hicks and Newt that audiences have already shown affection for to carry any future entries must be attractive to Fox.

And, from a purely sentimental point, wouldn't it be nice to see Michael Biehn finally get a decent break after all these years? If anyone could genuinely claim to have been put out by Alien 3, it's him.

Quote from: Ash 937 on Aug 16, 2015, 07:09:13 AM
That is just one good example of how you don't need to dismiss A3 and A:R to bring back Hicks for Alien 5.

Probably also the only one.  :laugh:

Honestly; I wouldn't try to speculate too far into this, especially when we don't have a script yet. If they dismiss the A3 and AR plots they must have something within reason to do so. Maybe NBK won't find anything within reason either and not dismiss them or maybe drop the project all together.

Quote from: Ash 937 on Aug 16, 2015, 07:09:13 AM
What if Michael Biehn appears to Ripley 8 as a ghost like his character appeared to Sarah Conor in Terminator 2 (Special Edition).  He already has experience portraying the ghost of one of his characters so he is already suited for the role.  Also keep in mind that Kenobi appeared to Luck in Empire/Jedi and both of those films were well received.

That is just one good example of how you don't need to dismiss A3 and A:R to bring back Hicks for Alien 5.

Not a terrible idea, but I'd rather have Hicks be a character in the movie.

Quote from: robbritton on Aug 16, 2015, 07:37:50 AM
I've said it til I'm blue in the face, but Shaw's African dream sequence in Prometheus gives Blomkamp the perfect out. Just have a monitor on the Sulaco showing (in that exact style) Ripley 8 throwing herself off the gantry from Alien 3, or bald Ripley caressing the newborn and in one shot you keep the previous films in canon as hypersleep nightmares AND you tie the new film explicitly to Prometheus. It may not be completely satisfying, but it allows everything to co-exist. You can see Hicks and Newt's psyches wrestling too, to stop it being so on the nose (also handily filling in some back story for those characters while limiting clunky exposition). Starting in either sleep or dreams is a hallmark of the series, regardless. Aliens starts with a nightmare, after all.

Regardless of how anything fits, this is a logical play for the studio. While it may not be the absolute status quo here, there is a lot of public love for the first and second movies and their events. From a business stand point it makes sense to hark back to these as opposed to risking something totally new. Studios are not renowned for taking risks after all. Aside from that, Weaver isn't going to need this series forever (I'd be surprised if she survives this one, honestly) and having two characters in Hicks and Newt that audiences have already shown affection for to carry any future entries must be attractive to Fox.

And, from a purely sentimental point, wouldn't it be nice to see Michael Biehn finally get a decent break after all these years? If anyone could genuinely claim to have been put out by Alien 3, it's him.

This is a great post, Robb, and I can actually stomach your idea of introducing the Prometheus dream technology to explain their need for a retcon. If only :\

I don't think this was posted before, but I just found this interview with Michael Biehn from last month where he talks about Alien 5:

In fact, one of the big questions on the minds of sci-fi fans everywhere, is whether or not Biehn will reprise his role as Hicks, after the announcement director Neill Blonkamp has picked up the franchise for a fifth installment. But despite Internet rumours, if the veteran actor knows, he's not telling.

"I've been asked not to talk about my participation, but Neill has said he's going to act like three, four and Alien vs. Predator never happened," he explained. "So that means he would pick up the movie after Aliens, when Hicks was still alive. But I haven't seen a script . . . I can't confirm whether or not I would be a part of that."

Biehn did say, however, he would definitely consider the role, should it be offered.

"I'm very satisfied with my career — I've done so many big films — there just isn't that much material that comes around that's exciting for me to do anymore. I've never been the type of person who has done film after film, I've always liked acting and really enjoyed it, but it's going to take something like Aliens — I'd do that."

Source: http://www.londoncommunitynews.com/whatson-story/5734273-aliens-star-biehn-wants-one-more-shot-at-the-monster/

I really, really, really hope they do not retcon Alien 3. I don't care about Resurrection personally but Alien 3 was a good film. A3 and AR being a dream sequence is just as bad as retconning them.

There are solutions. Set it after Aliens and before Alien 3 where Hicks and Ripley get badly torn up at the end and get some kind of reconstructive surgery.  Or have Michael Beihn play Hicks' father looking for answers why his son died working under orders from a private company despite being a Marine.

Quote from: irn on Aug 16, 2015, 11:17:25 AM


Or have Michael Beihn play Hicks' father looking for answers why his son died working under orders from a private company despite being a Marine.

His father would take that into big consideration; that is a dangerous occupation. Being a soldier in space puts things in a big perspective.

It's pretty much given that Blomkamp is going to be ignoring AvP since he thinks a shared universe is a big no-no but for Alien 3 and Resurrection? I don't want them to be rendered as dreams, but rather straight up not explained away. I'm for alternative universes, I believe in that stuff, and it would be good for the franchise to have separate continuities and canons.

I just find the whole "dream" angle to be an easy but very insulting cop put just so Blomkamp can do his thing. So I have to disagree with anyone who says this should go the dream route.

I wonder if Blomkamp will also be treating the Predator films as not canon as well, I know they're in separate franchises but this is AVP after all.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 16, 2015, 02:59:19 PM
I wonder if Blomkamp will also be treating the Predator films as not canon as well, I know they're in separate franchises but this is AVP after all.

How would he go about doing that though? There's a big gap between the timelines that even bringing it up seems unnecessary.

I find it odd that fans are fine with this retcon of A3, and the inclusion of PROMETHEUS as canon as well.

Meh. Honestly I thought Aliens was the weakest of the original trilogy. It lost the feeling of hopelessness that Alien had, while 3 brought that back. To ignore 3 makes me less enthused about this.

Quote from: CainsSon on Aug 16, 2015, 06:52:24 PM
I find it odd that fans are fine with this retcon of A3, and the inclusion of PROMETHEUS as canon as well.

I just look at it like a salad bar. Take what you want and leave the rest.

I thought we'd already received confirmation that he and Sigourney Weaver had both been offered their roles again.

"He also confirmed that Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 will in fact be ignoring Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as if they never happened."

- Noo. Why? It really takes no effort to just say that they were a dream. I have come to terms with the idea that they were a dream, providing I like this film and it's stated that they were just dreams. But if it's not stated that they were dreams I will just consider this a spin-off sort of film.

I'm all for ignoring A3 and A:R. I'm excited for Blomkamp's "new ideas". His concept art is certainly intriguing. I certainly hope both Weaver and Biehn get officially signed on for the film. Hate if you will but I care not.

I don't understand why people are getting bent out of shape over him ignoring A3 and A:R... the biggest travesty was killing Hicks and Newt off screen in the first place. So I'm all for a canonical world where they're still alive, especially Hicks. Guess we will see.

Todays idea: How about it the Ripley, Hicks and Newt in A3 were the clones?

Quote from: irn on Aug 17, 2015, 12:10:33 AM
Todays idea: How about it the Ripley, Hicks and Newt in A3 were the clones?

There would be as much of a reason to make them clones, as there would in making them synthetics.

Which is to say, none, at all.

I honestly ran out of fuel. I'm stumped, there is literally no way to achieve Neill's goals without screwing with the sequence of the franchise. Seriously;  how can someone make this work!?

---

Okay, how about: The Sulaco enters a rift in the universe where it duplicates the ships, one is sent to Fiorina while the other drifts off in space through an alternative timeline; one where Weyland-Yutani succeeds in obtaining the derelict spacecraft.

Absolute garbage....ignoring 3 and Resurrection is uncreative, lazy and straight out pathetic.

Too bad Blomkamp is afraid of creating a new interesting story in the Alien Universe with NEW characters in a new series of events that doesn't conflict with the other films...guess he knows that he lacks the imagination and creativity that most writers/creators of Alien/Predator games and comics have (obviously not CM) to create excellent installments to the series, that do not need to resort to pathetic alternate timelines or retcons of material/events that were established twenty some years ago...then again all his films feel like District 9. Poor creativity.

Oh well, here's to hoping FOX makes a right decision and changes their minds about eliminating two films...one of them a masterpiece Alien 3.

You know what I'm currently finding amusing? That the whole buzz generated around Neill's idea initially was that it would redo Alien 3 and 4. The majority of buzz and internet activity was positive and I'm pretty sure contributed towards Fox's interest in it. Now I'm seeing negativity on websites reporting on Alien 5. I find it pretty funny.

Personally I'm not a massive fan of retconing away Alien 3 and 4. I liked both films despite their flaws. However, I do understand that most people dislike Alien 3 for what it did. Neill is obviously one of them. If he wants to have another go at it...I just hope he makes it worth it and does a good job. As long as Alien 3.2 is a damn good film, I'll be happy.

As for how they do it - just don't acknowledge it at all. The dream thing works. It always would have worked because as far back as the Alien novelization they made a big deal out of cryosleep dreams and the recording of them being a profession. As Rob says, with Prometheus doing something with them that brings it to the screen. However, it would be a complete slap in the face for Alien 3 and Resurrection. They just should ignore them completely.

And as for a cancellation...as B-D said it's complete speculation on their part.

Quote from: Walters on Aug 17, 2015, 05:41:43 AM
Absolute garbage....ignoring 3 and Resurrection is uncreative, lazy and straight out pathetic.

Too bad Blomkamp is afraid of creating a new interesting story in the Alien Universe with NEW characters in a new series of events that doesn't conflict with the other films...guess he knows that he lacks the imagination and creativity that most writers/creators of Alien/Predator games and comics have (obviously not CM) to create excellent installments to the series, that do not need to resort to pathetic alternate timelines or retcons of material/events that were established twenty some years ago...then again all his films feel like District 9. Poor creativity.

Oh well, here's to hoping FOX makes a right decision and changes their minds about eliminating two films...one of them a masterpiece Alien 3.

This is the fifth time I've heard this argument! A majority of the comics have the qualities that make a good comic; not a movie. You'll find that a lot of the Alien comics are established in a universe where Weyland Yutani succeeded in obtaining the alien and people of the universe know about xenomorphs with no explanation as to why or how. Try doing that in one of the upcoming films and instantly all the work Ripley did to stop WY is annulled. In a film sequel

Spoiler

/reboot

[close]

it is important to follow source material.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 17, 2015, 07:40:07 AM
As for how they do it - just don't acknowledge it at all. The dream thing works. It always would have worked because as far back as the Alien novelization they made a big deal out of cryosleep dreams and the recording of them being a profession. As Rob says, with Prometheus doing something with them that brings it to the screen. However, it would be a complete slap in the face for Alien 3 and Resurrection. They just should ignore them completely.

And as for a cancellation...as B-D said it's complete speculation on their part.

Either way, they both don't sound so ideal personally. It's such a mess in the sequence that it will be asinine trying to watch these films back to back. I'm still crossing my fingers for the execution though.

I myself, right from the start have not been happy about the idea of a retcon that wipes Alien 3 and Resurrection off the plate. I'd prefer it if they'd work within those ideas and not go. I didnt like that so i'm gonna change it all.

I understand Biehn's comments based on what he's been told but until a script appears, we cant say anything is 100%. Interesting that if Alien 5 is a retcon, that there has been no mention of Newt

I think it's pretty solid that if Neill told him that what he intends to do then that's what he intends to do. Granted, it may change over time but you can't really argue with that.

I know a lot of people are upset that Hicks and Newt got killed off instantly in Alien 3, but it's a somewhat arrogant approach to think "well my film is going to be better than that so I'll just disregard a sequel that's been around for 23 years and has a sizable approval from the fanbase".

It's sad to say that everything is pointing to this turning out to be an 'okay' film at best. Based on what's been churned out by big studios over the last decade and the people involved with this project. Hopefully it'll be more than that, of course.

There's very little to say what kind of movie it's going to be. Blomkamp has spoken a few times about it in terms of tone what he's said has been good. The idea of bringing back Hicks and Newt created a huge amount of positive buzz that I imagine helped get this film made. He hasn't actually said anything of the sort about "his film is going to be better" just that he didn't like the direction they took it.

Does this mean I'd like A3/4 retconned? No, I don't like the idea of multiple continuities. But I'm sure as hell excited to see where it goes and hope that it does a good job.

Agreed with Corporal Hicks,

I strongly, STRONGLY dislike the idea of Alien 3 and 4 being retconned, and I also strongly dislike the idea of multiple continuities...so unnecessary.

But in essence I am happy the series is getting three new films:

-Alien 5
-Prometheus 2
-Predator 4

At the moment I'm the least excited about Alien 5 due to it's idea of canceling Alien 3. I'm a huge fan of Alien 3...

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 17, 2015, 11:09:42 AM
I think it's pretty solid that if Neill told him that what he intends to do then that's what he intends to do. Granted, it may change over time but you can't really argue with that.

True. i'd just like Blomkampf to just come out and say himself, this is what i want to do. It just seems to come through third person sometimes, so it gets lost if you get what i mean

http://33.media.tumblr.com/tumblr_m0ywmqKDfe1qbstvio1_500.gif

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This is bullshit, Blomhack can't even think a good way to connect Alien 3 and Resurrection and make a real Alien 5 sequel, retconning the last 2 movies in favor or wet fan-fiction isn't just disrespectful but dumb as hell, if he can't find the way to make a proper Alien 5 then this movie is doomed.

I find it odd that fans are fine with this retcon of A3, but are on board with the inclusion of PROMETHEUS, and now PARADISE as existing in canon as well.

---

Quote from: robbritton on Aug 16, 2015, 07:37:50 AM
I've said it til I'm blue in the face, but Shaw's African dream sequence in Prometheus gives Blomkamp the perfect out. Just have a monitor on the Sulaco showing (in that exact style) Ripley 8 throwing herself off the gantry from Alien 3, or bald Ripley caressing the newborn and in one shot you keep the previous films in canon as hypersleep nightmares AND you tie the new film explicitly to Prometheus. It may not be completely satisfying, but it allows everything to co-exist. You can see Hicks and Newt's psyches wrestling too, to stop it being so on the nose (also handily filling in some back story for those characters while limiting clunky exposition). Starting in either sleep or dreams is a hallmark of the series, regardless. Aliens starts with a nightmare, after all.

I'm sorry but I think the dream-sequence-thing is a really cheap out IMO. First off, it's still a retcon that way and a retcon already cheapens things massively. At least when AVP cheapened things it did so in a way that could just be overlooked. The retcon cheapens things right smack in the middle of the franchises finest moments IMO. Second, NO ONE remembers their dreams in the third person, and in Prometheus, the 'dreams' are implants, meant to keep the brain active while in hypersleep - according to R Scott, anyway. It's not an out IMO, because I hate that plot device in Prometheus to begin with. Even though I despise the retcon of A3, I would rather they just ignored them than actually acknowledge them as some DEUS EX MACHINA, via inexplicably elaborate 3rd person nightmares.

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Quote from: irn on Aug 16, 2015, 11:17:25 AM
I really, really, really hope they do not retcon Alien 3. I don't care about Resurrection personally but Alien 3 was a good film. A3 and AR being a dream sequence is just as bad as retconning them.

There are solutions. Set it after Aliens and before Alien 3 where Hicks and Ripley get badly torn up at the end and get some kind of reconstructive surgery.  Or have Michael Beihn play Hicks' father looking for answers why his son died working under orders from a private company despite being a Marine.

I totally 100% agree with this guy. Make it a MIDQUEL. Sure the age-difference is a big issue but they can do wonders with CGI these days. For every person that trashes A3 there are equal people who love it. My feeling is that people like it way more than they want to admit to themselves. To me, Alien 3 is Alien meets Mad Max. Now, there is a director I'd love to see make an Alien film - George Miller!

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Quote from: Xenomorphine on Aug 17, 2015, 12:25:56 AM

Quote from: irn on Aug 17, 2015, 12:10:33 AM
Todays idea: How about it the Ripley, Hicks and Newt in A3 were the clones?

There would be as much of a reason to make them clones, as there would in making them synthetics.

Which is to say, none, at all.

Hmmmm.... This can be done in a way that isn't too explicit! If you maybe have a med-tech character who is dealing with only the survivors of the sulaco - medically speaking, who also has a background in the development of clones but is losing funding because of botched experiments - maybe clones were being develeoped as a replacement for or to enhance Synthetics - and this med-tech he is on board the WY space station, and maybe he becomes obsessed with the Alien, similar to Golic in A3, so anyway he takes tissue samples from the survivors to prove his cloning stuff is worthwhile and also delivering the cargo to WY that from the events in the new film, will make this guy a hero... It can even be left open for the viewer to make the connection. Ive always liked the idea of this Cult forming around the alien.

Well it sucks they're going to retcon Alien 3 and A:R.

It will be so great if they retcon Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection.  Finally 2 decades of the wrong direction will be wiped away.  Plus, we still get to have Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection as sort of alternate reality films that we can enjoy.  Multiverse!

Good to hear what seems like a confirmation of Alien 5 ignoring Alien 3 and Resurrection. As long as a good film comes of it, it'll be great. Two alternate continuites seems like the right way to go. Alien 3 and Resurrection should be ignored. No dream sequence. Just ignored as if it never happened in this timeline.

Great !  >:(  Do again of the Alien with Ripley... Which overflowing imagination.

How can we like the idea of an alien by using again and again Ripley.

The universe is infinite, the action could take place in thousands of planets.
No it is necessary to take back Ripley because otherwise understand the alien is nothing. In the end by taking back Ripley we know already that she will be the heroin of this magnificent history. All the horrific dimension will be erased. The alien is not any more a killer but a prey for Ripley the killer of insects....

PLZ I want of the imagination and not of the warmed !!!

Quote from: Jarac on Aug 17, 2015, 09:59:02 PM
Good to hear what seems like a confirmation of Alien 5 ignoring Alien 3 and Resurrection. As long as a good film comes of it, it'll be great. Two alternate continuites seems like the right way to go. Alien 3 and Resurrection should be ignored. No dream sequence. Just ignored as if it never happened in this timeline.

I agree with this. And I hope this is the case, even with the film being delayed now. I want alternative continuities.

I don't want to see Alien 3 retconned or ignored (AR, on the other hand, was practically begging to be ignored by setting itself 200 years after the others). But the bigger question on my mind is:

WHY?

Why do we need another Alien movie? AR was a classic example of what happens when Fox just wants more o' that Alien money: a buncha guys on a spaceship running around getting eaten. Who cares?

All we know so far is what Blomkamp intends to not do. Until we know what he plans to do, I just can't get interested in this movie. Prometheus 2 for me, please.

Quote from: Jarac on Aug 17, 2015, 09:59:02 PM
Good to hear what seems like a confirmation of Alien 5 ignoring Alien 3 and Resurrection. As long as a good film comes of it, it'll be great. Two alternate continuites seems like the right way to go. Alien 3 and Resurrection should be ignored. No dream sequence. Just ignored as if it never happened in this timeline.

Oh come on.  Ripley should at least make a bad joke about it.  Oh Newt!  I had a bad dream you died in your sleep...  ;)

I don't think that Alien 5 will target hardcore fans of the series like us.  Most casual fans that I talk to recall the plot line of Aliens but when you ask them about Alien3 ask, "Is that the one where she shaves her head?" and then go on to say that they don't remember that much about the movie except that they didn't like it. 

Alien3 isn't in the collective memory of many people anymore and a lot of the people that are going to see Alien 5 weren't even born when it came out.  That gives FOX a lot of slack if they choose to pick up the franchise at it's most critically acclaimed point and go from there. 

At worst, the move is forgivable to a casual fan and should be understandable to the hardcore fans.  It also offers a lot of potential for success for the studio.

Oh man

Quote from: Vermillion on Aug 17, 2015, 11:39:37 PM
Oh man

Secure that Hudson!   ;)

Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 17, 2015, 11:18:52 PM

Quote from: Jarac on Aug 17, 2015, 09:59:02 PM
Good to hear what seems like a confirmation of Alien 5 ignoring Alien 3 and Resurrection. As long as a good film comes of it, it'll be great. Two alternate continuites seems like the right way to go. Alien 3 and Resurrection should be ignored. No dream sequence. Just ignored as if it never happened in this timeline.

Oh come on.  Ripley should at least make a bad joke about it.  Oh Newt!  I had a bad dream you died in your sleep...  ;)

Can we NOT go the Bobby Ewing route?

According to Bloody-Disgusting's source, it's too early to say for certain whether Alien 3 and Rez will be retconned regardless of what Michael Biehn says; I dunno though, I mean how else is both Hicks and Ripley alive?  Unless Ripley is #8 from Rez and Hicks is revived from A:CM, but following the studio ploy so far, it seems no one wants to mention A:CM.

QuoteAdditionally, while Biehn is adamant that the new entry into the franchise will ignore Alien3 and Alien: Resurrection, our source thinks that might not be the case, stating that they're, "...not sure if Biehn's assertions about it ignoring 3 & 4 are accurate. It's basically far too early to tell on that front right now."

http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3357432/blomkamps-alien-happening-youre-going-patient/ (http://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3357432/blomkamps-alien-happening-youre-going-patient/)

I hope Biehn is right in the end.  :-\

Quote from: Mr. Clemens on Aug 17, 2015, 10:54:49 PM
Why do we need another Alien movie? AR was a classic example of what happens when Fox just wants more o' that Alien money: a buncha guys on a spaceship running around getting eaten. Who cares?

Difference here being Fox went out and asked for Resurrection if I'm remembering rightly. This time around we're getting it born off the back of someone's basic vision that he made public and generated a huge about of buzz about it.

Good for Biehn; he's a guy who's had his share of problems in the Hollywood and a rocky career, but he is a really nice guy. I really hope he gets in "Alien 5" and this will help him make something of a comeback.  8)

Quote from: Ash 937 on Aug 17, 2015, 11:34:44 PM
I don't think that Alien 5 will target hardcore fans of the series like us.  Most casual fans that I talk to recall the plot line of Aliens but when you ask them about Alien3 ask, "Is that the one where she shaves her head?" and then go on to say that they don't remember that much about the movie except that they didn't like it. 

Alien3 isn't in the collective memory of many people anymore and a lot of the people that are going to see Alien 5 weren't even born when it came out.  That gives FOX a lot of slack if they choose to pick up the franchise at it's most critically acclaimed point and go from there. 

At worst, the move is forgivable to a casual fan and should be understandable to the hardcore fans.  It also offers a lot of potential for success for the studio.

Agreed.

Is it even possible to make a great film from a classic movie series?  We all know someone is going to hate it.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 22, 2015, 07:53:00 AM
Is it even possible to make a great film from a classic movie series?  We all know someone is going to hate it.

It's possible, but you have to come to terms as a director with the fact that some will love your work, some will hate it, and others will be like, meh.

James Cameron made Aliens from a classic film. If he did it, so can someone else.

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Aug 15, 2015, 12:24:11 PM

I wonder if he auditioned for Vincent's role in Chappie and lost out to Jackman's greater star power?

Perhaps Corporal Hicks can corner Biehn somewhere and press him for more info?  ;)

I saw Michael at the Glasgow con and he said that the role he auditioned for in Chappie was the role that eventually went to Sigourney.

Huh... That makes a whole lot of sense now.

I'd imagine Weaver probably did sell it more. Plus, it balanced out the gender dynamic.

Quote from: Promethean Fire on Aug 23, 2015, 11:52:02 PM

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Aug 15, 2015, 12:24:11 PM

I wonder if he auditioned for Vincent's role in Chappie and lost out to Jackman's greater star power?

Perhaps Corporal Hicks can corner Biehn somewhere and press him for more info?  ;)

I saw Michael at the Glasgow con and he said that the role he auditioned for in Chappie was the role that eventually went to Sigourney.

I can't remember who posted it - someone on my Facebook but can't recall who - said that Biehn said they were looking to recast Newt with a 29/30 yo actress and that the idea would be Ripley would sort of pass on the torch to Newt. I can't find the frigging source though.

Quote from: Xenomorphine on Aug 24, 2015, 01:54:41 AM
Huh... That makes a whole lot of sense now.

I'd imagine Weaver probably did sell it more. Plus, it balanced out the gender dynamic.

Plus it probably gave Blomkamp the opportunity to get Sigourney's ear so he could pitch the Alien 5 project to her.  Smart.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 24, 2015, 07:15:47 AM

Quote from: Promethean Fire on Aug 23, 2015, 11:52:02 PM

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Aug 15, 2015, 12:24:11 PM

I wonder if he auditioned for Vincent's role in Chappie and lost out to Jackman's greater star power?

Perhaps Corporal Hicks can corner Biehn somewhere and press him for more info?  ;)

I saw Michael at the Glasgow con and he said that the role he auditioned for in Chappie was the role that eventually went to Sigourney.

I can't remember who posted it - someone on my Facebook but can't recall who - said that Biehn said they were looking to recast Newt with a 29/30 yo actress and that the idea would be Ripley would sort of pass on the torch to Newt. I can't find the frigging source though.

She's not that young but Rachel McAdams would be good.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 24, 2015, 07:15:47 AM

I can't remember who posted it - someone on my Facebook but can't recall who - said that Biehn said they were looking to recast Newt with a 29/30 yo actress and that the idea would be Ripley would sort of pass on the torch to Newt. I can't find the frigging source though.

So that would mean that the franchise would get passed on to another female lead. 

What are the odds that Hicks dies twice in the Alien universe?

Quote from: Ash 937 on Aug 25, 2015, 02:32:15 AM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 24, 2015, 07:15:47 AM

I can't remember who posted it - someone on my Facebook but can't recall who - said that Biehn said they were looking to recast Newt with a 29/30 yo actress and that the idea would be Ripley would sort of pass on the torch to Newt. I can't find the frigging source though.

So that would mean that the franchise would get passed on to another female lead. 

What are the odds that Hicks dies twice in the Alien universe?

:laugh:

The torch passing dynamic is rather odd seeing as Ripley's contact with the alien was rather brief (a few days at most). If this is the case, how will it play out for the audience perceiving the plot? Are we to assume that xenomorphs were terrorizing the universe up until Newt turned 30?

We don't know what's happened in those interim years yet.

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 22, 2015, 07:53:00 AMIs it even possible to make a great film from a classic movie series?  We all know someone is going to hate it.

Mad Max: Fury Road shows that it is.

However, for every one Fury Road we have about two dozen crap examples of how to tack a rubbish new entry/remake onto a classic series.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 25, 2015, 07:21:32 AM
We don't know what's happened in those interim years yet.

I would be looking forward to seeing what might come from it. However, it sounds like a big concept to pull off.

Quote from: HuDaFuK on Aug 25, 2015, 11:10:16 AM

Quote from: predxeno on Aug 22, 2015, 07:53:00 AMIs it even possible to make a great film from a classic movie series?  We all know someone is going to hate it.

Mad Max: Fury Road shows that it is.

However, for every one Fury Road we have about two dozen crap examples of how to tack a rubbish new entry/remake onto a classic series.

That's in the eyes of the beholder though. Sure it's critically acclaimed but I've met some Mad Max fans that didn't like it.

Spoiler

I disagreed with them  :P

[close]

Sure, you'll always get some people who didn't like it. But overall I'd say it's safe to call it a big success.

The same can't really be said of the vast majority of 80s/90s restart films that have come out in recent years. To be honest, most of them were greeted with a pretty indifferent response at best.

Fury Road was both a commercial and critical hit. And the 4th film in a franchise. That kind of performance isn't frequent now-a-days. I loved that film as a new viewer to the series.

Quote from: HuDaFuK on Aug 25, 2015, 01:10:10 PM
Sure, you'll always get some people who didn't like it. But overall I'd say it's safe to call it a big success.

The same can't really be said of the vast majority of 80s/90s restart films that have come out in recent years. To be honest, most of them were greeted with a pretty indifferent response at best.

True, very true.

And even more true, I felt as if some of them got a lot of mixed reviews as well. There's something about Hollywood trying to amplify the intensity behind some of the old iconic characters that either rubs people the wrong way or has them enjoy them more so than the original. However the ladder definitely is a rare case...

Guys do you think Alien 5  is going to retconn Alien 3 please say no i mean he has not read the script if it is then NO!!!!!!!!!!!

He might not have read the script but Blomkamp told him what he was going to do. And that includes retconning Alien 3 and Resurrection. We knew it was coming.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 25, 2015, 02:05:13 PM
He might not have read the script but Blomkamp told him what he was going to do. And that includes retconning Alien 3 and Resurrection. We knew it was coming.

NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :'( :( >:( :o :((by the way i like your new profile picture)

You realise you still get to keep your copy of Alien 3 right?  I just hope we see them explore some alt timelines, whether in books, film or comics or video games...

Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 26, 2015, 09:19:34 PM
You realise you still get to keep your copy of Alien 3 right?  I just hope we see them explore some alt timelines, whether in books, film or comics or video games...

But the story,the characters they were amazing i dont wont them chucked out of the timeline.

Quote from: THE CITY HUNTER on Aug 27, 2015, 02:16:22 PM

Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 26, 2015, 09:19:34 PM
You realise you still get to keep your copy of Alien 3 right?  I just hope we see them explore some alt timelines, whether in books, film or comics or video games...

But the story,the characters they were amazing i dont wont them chucked out of the timeline.

You honestly don't have to follow the "official canon" if you dont want to. Its not like they are getting rid of every single copy of alien 3 out there.

Quote from: ts124 on Aug 27, 2015, 07:48:37 PM

Quote from: THE CITY HUNTER on Aug 27, 2015, 02:16:22 PM

Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Aug 26, 2015, 09:19:34 PM
You realise you still get to keep your copy of Alien 3 right?  I just hope we see them explore some alt timelines, whether in books, film or comics or video games...

But the story,the characters they were amazing i dont wont them chucked out of the timeline.

You honestly don't have to follow the "official canon" if you dont want to. Its not like they are getting rid of every single copy of alien 3 out there.

but i would like it to be cannon just like the FEAR expansion games were chucked out because of the shitty FEAR 3

Quote from: System Apollo on Aug 25, 2015, 02:51:56 AM

Quote from: Ash 937 on Aug 25, 2015, 02:32:15 AM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 24, 2015, 07:15:47 AM

I can't remember who posted it - someone on my Facebook but can't recall who - said that Biehn said they were looking to recast Newt with a 29/30 yo actress and that the idea would be Ripley would sort of pass on the torch to Newt. I can't find the frigging source though.

So that would mean that the franchise would get passed on to another female lead. 

What are the odds that Hicks dies twice in the Alien universe?

:laugh:

The torch passing dynamic is rather odd seeing as Ripley's contact with the alien was rather brief (a few days at most). If this is the case, how will it play out for the audience perceiving the plot? Are we to assume that xenomorphs were terrorizing the universe up until Newt turned 30?

From I've seen of this franchise, anything is possible.  Alien3 had face huggers that seemed to appear out of nowhere and Alien Resurrection showed us that you could somehow clone a human with an alien inside of you.  All of a sudden the notion of a universe terrorized by aliens doesn't seem so odd...

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 25, 2015, 07:21:32 AM
We don't know what's happened in those interim years yet.

Exactly.  Newt could be completely different as an adult.  Thinking the difference between Sarah Conor in the original Terminator film and Judgement Day. 

What more can we do for Ripley she has faced Alien and Aliens the way it is going is like a happy hollywood ending even Weaver hinted that:
but she implied she'd be involved when a fan asked if Ripley could get a happy ending in the new movie.

"Well – it's certainly something we've discussed," she replied. "I agree, she's had kind of a crap life. Many interruptions."
:( >:( :-X :-\

Quote from: THE CITY HUNTER on Sep 10, 2015, 03:57:01 PM
What more can we do for Ripley she has faced Alien and Aliens the way it is going is like a happy hollywood ending even Weaver hinted that:
but she implied she'd be involved when a fan asked if Ripley could get a happy ending in the new movie.

"Well – it's certainly something we've discussed," she replied. "I agree, she's had kind of a crap life. Many interruptions."
:( >:( :-X :-\

You need to read up on the hero quest cycle. It's the basic formula for almost every classic story in existence. Unless you're using an anti-hero, a hero's journey is typically concluded by being stronger/wiser for the test they have just faced: A 'happy ending'.

"Sadder and wiser men" as Samuel Coleridge Taylor would have insisted.

Quote from: NickisSmart on Sep 12, 2015, 08:55:52 PM
"Sadder and wiser men" as Samuel Coleridge Taylor would have insisted.

Lol just about to listen to Iron Maiden's Powerslave. so nicely timed

\m/

Up the IRONS!!!! \m/

There's a video showing Michael Biehn talking about Alien 5. It's from June though but I've never seen it before. He confirms A3 and A4 are being ignored but joked that him and Newt could be killed off again at the start of Blomkamp's movie.

Quote from: Darkness on Sep 18, 2015, 03:07:52 PM
There's a video showing Michael Biehn talking about Alien 5. It's from June though but I've never seen it before. He confirms A3 and A4 are being ignored but joked that him and Newt could be killed off again at the start of Blomkamp's movie.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hmUH_eA9VGE

No!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Please say he was joking about A3 being retconned. :'( :'(

There's a big difference between ignoring Alien 3 & 4 and retconing them.  I'm hoping that Neil's Alien film is a midquel that takes place between Aliens and & Alien 3.  Otherwise, Its just a huge waste.

Quote from: marrerom on Sep 18, 2015, 07:42:29 PM
There's a big difference between ignoring Alien 3 & 4 and retconing them.  I'm hoping that Neil's Alien film is a midquel that takes place between Aliens and & Alien 3.  Otherwise, Its just a huge waste.

Same here i dont mind as well.

Quote from: marrerom on Sep 18, 2015, 07:42:29 PM
Otherwise, Its just a huge waste.

Only if it's not atmospheric and entertaining. At this point, that's all I'm asking for. Too many disappointments, so far.

^

Yes. I agree!

Quote from: Xenomorphine on Sep 18, 2015, 10:28:01 PM

Quote from: marrerom on Sep 18, 2015, 07:42:29 PM
Otherwise, Its just a huge waste.

Only if it's not atmospheric and entertaining. At this point, that's all I'm asking for. Too many disappointments, so far.

Personally, I feel like if Alien5 changes the history, I'll be alright with it because, like others have said, the canon is what you choose. Just because FOX says "Alien novels are now canon, Colonial Marines (game) is canon, etc...) doesn't mean they truly are. It may be their fictional universe, but only in license rights. We the fans power these universes. So if you don't like something, that's fine. We all must respect each others' view points.

There have been too many disappointments, too much wasted potential. I enjoy all the films to an extent. For example, I like Resurrection right up until Ripley 8 finds and torches her failed clones. Then, you can basically just turn off the movie.

What I want to see in Alien 5: Biehn, Weaver, return the Xenomorphs to their former scary biomechanical nightmare-inducing selves, and the world building from Alien, with respect to atmosphere built upon real sets and a strong musical score.

As long as it actually ends up being an all around decent film then I'll be happy. If it ends up being no better than Alien 3, then it's a real waste.

Someone said that films should aspire to be great, as great as classics as T2 or Psycho, etc. Not sure those films were trying to be great, but were merely creations of their times.

I'll be happy as long as they retcon/ignore whatever terminology you prefer Alien3 and Resurrection.