AvPGalaxy Forums

Michael Fassbender talks Alien: Covenant in a new interview with the Inquirer. He’s currently in Sydney filming Sir Ridley Scott’s Prometheus sequel Alien: Covenant but that isn’t stopping Michael Fassbender from getting in on the fun with the X-Men: Apocalypse press rounds! Talking to the Inquirer about his work on X-Men, he also talks a little about Alien: Covenant.

“There are going to be great sets and aliens coming out of people," Michael promised about Ridley's "Covenant," the second chapter in a prequel trilogy that started with "Prometheus."

"It's amazing to watch Ridley work. I try to soak up as much knowledge as I can from him, because having worked on this kind of films a few times and having seen how many moving parts there are, how many people work on the set and how many departments need attention and the language, he's an absolute master.”

While Fassbender doesn’t dish any specific details about the upcoming film, he does talk a little about the sets on Alien: Covenant, insinuating that the film wont look as pristine as Prometheus did:

"The sets are fantastic. Again, the most impressive sets I've seen since 'Prometheus,' which was the original setting. It's a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did 'Blade Runner.'

"You have this futuristic world where people are eating noodles, because that seems to be the cheaper food and something that will fill you up. But it's also something that harks back to the past. The weaving of those two things—past and future—together makes for an interesting world that we can aspire to, but also recognize something in it."

Considering that a frequent complaint about Prometheus is how the technology in the prequel looks more advanced than anything we eventually see in the main Alien series, I’m sure this news will be most welcome to a lot of fans.

You can check out the whole interview over at Inquirer where he also talks about X-Men and Assassain’s Creed. Thanks to Stolen for the news.

Link To Post

Interesting info... I feel like Fassbender is aware of what many people didn't like about Prometheus. Just get that feeling from his comments on aliens coming out of people and the environments.

"...the same way Ridley did 'Blade Runner'."

Hmmm. Interesting.

Michael Fassbender is terrific actor.
His David is very sinister and mysterious character. Certanly one of the best in whole
Alien/Blade Runner universe. I cant wait to see what he ll do in Covenant.

Sorry for my Language, I'm from Europe, Czech Republic.
Thing I want to say is, that I really don't understand from where this so called Xenomorphs come from? I mean, that Engineer planet has a nature, lakes and stuff like that. I really don't expect that this Aliens should just walk on the grass somewhere on that planet, it's a strange idea.
It's more like you imagine some sort of dinosaurs somewhere on the jungle, instead of actual Xenomorphs. You know what I mean? Yea, for sure, if he talks bout that sets, he basically mean indoor locations, similar to Prometheus. But, then again, I ask myself if all these Xenomorphs are somewhere hidden, perhaps imprisoned. Then where they are? And if they escape in some moment from any of that mentioned engineer structures, what they do?
I'm really surprised how Ridley solve this imagination, becauce that planet (basically New Zeland atmosphere) has a beautiful nature, It seems that our Xenomorphs not entirely fit in this atmosphere, so my question is, if we see them only inside some structures, or even outside on the daylingt, because that idea is really strange, don't you think?
And in other words, I don't think that Aliens need a roof over their heads, so why keep them only inside, they want to go where they want to.
The problem itself is, that we never see an Alien somewhere on the nature, on te jungle or anywhere where it looks nice and natural. It's gonna be a really, really interesting.

Not a lot to go on with Covenant here. I wonder what Fassbender learned from Ridley while working on The Counselor. :laugh:

"So, um, Ridley, what exactly is my character doing again?"

*massive puffs of cigar smoke* "Well, I can't tell from this mess of a script either, but I think it has something to do with greed."

"Um, okay." :laugh:

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 15, 2016, 05:31:26 AM
It's a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did 'Blade Runner.
You have this futuristic world where people are eating noodles, because that seems to be the cheaper food and something that will fill you up. But it's also something that harks back to the past. The weaving of those two things—past and future—together makes for an interesting world that we can aspire to, but also recognize something in it."

This is music to my ears Corporal.

It's also a good way of future proofing your film. Blade Runner is set in the 1940's as much as it is set in 2019. And after 35 years the film hasn't really dated because it takes place in a unique, almost fantastical world.

Quote from: KiramidHead on May 15, 2016, 03:48:20 PM
Not a lot to go on with Covenant here. I wonder what Fassbender learned from Ridley while working on The Counselor. :laugh:

I can't let say that  ;D. I think The Counselor is a great movie and also thanks to the excellent work of McCarthy. The dialogues are wonderful. The narrative is surprising, great actors, great execution of Scott and it's a damn good movie!
In a sense, this is the mirror movie of Blade Runner. Except it does not happen in the future. Fassbender's character also reminds me Deckard in Blade Runner.

Otherwise Fassbender seems to appreciate filming with Scott (especially in the best sets of industry). Obviously quite exciting.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 15, 2016, 05:31:26 AM
<p>Michael Fassbender talks Alien: Covenant in a <a href="http://entertainment.inquirer.net/194809/michael-fassbender-on-assassins-creed-alien-apocalypse" target="_blank">new interview with the Inquirer</a>. He's currently in Sydney filming Sir Ridley Scott's Prometheus sequel Alien: Covenant but that isn't stopping Michael Fassbender from getting in on the fun with the X-Men: Apocalypse press rounds! Talking to the Inquirer about his work on X-Men, he also talks a little about Alien: Covenant.</p><p><em>"There are going to be great sets and aliens coming out of people," Michael promised about Ridley's "Covenant," the second chapter in a prequel trilogy that started with "Prometheus."</em></p><p><em>"It's amazing to watch Ridley work. I try to soak up as much knowledge as I can from him, because having worked on this kind of films a few times and having seen how many <span id="itxthook2p" class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap"><span id="itxthook2w" class="itxtrst itxtrstspan itxtnowrap itxtnewhookspan">moving </span></span>parts there are, how many people work on the set and how many departments need attention and the language, he's an absolute master."</em></p><div id="attachment_32604" style="width: 710px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><img class="size-full wp-image-32604" src="http://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/150516_01.jpg" alt="Michael Fassbender talks Alien: Covenant - "It's a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did 'Blade Runner." Michael Fassbender Talks Alien: Covenant - "><p class="wp-caption-text">Michael Fassbender talks Alien: Covenant – "It's a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did 'Blade Runner."</p></div><p>While Fassbender doesn't dish any specific details about the upcoming film, he does talk a little about the sets on Alien: Covenant, insinuating that the film wont look as pristine as Prometheus did:</p><p><em>"The sets are fantastic. Again, the most impressive sets I've seen since 'Prometheus,' which was the original setting. It's a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did 'Blade Runner.'</em></p><p><em>"You have this futuristic world where people are eating </em>noodles,<em> because that seems to be the cheaper food and something that will fill you up. But it's also something that harks back to the past. The weaving of those two things—past and future—together makes for an interesting world that we can aspire to, but also recognize something in it."</em></p><p>Considering that a frequent complaint about Prometheus is how the technology in the prequel looks more advanced than anything we eventually see in the main Alien series, I'm sure this news will be most welcome to a lot of fans.</p><p><a href="http://entertainment.inquirer.net/194809/michael-fassbender-on-assassins-creed-alien-apocalypse" target="_blank">You can check out the whole interview over at Inquirer </a>where he also talks about X-Men and Assassain's Creed. Thanks to Stolen for the news.</p><p><a href="http://www.avpgalaxy.net/?p=32603">Link To Post</a>

The mention of noodles really reminds me of the Nostromo and its space truckers.

Next summer can't come fast enough!!!

Quote from: Smash! on May 15, 2016, 01:10:16 PM
Sorry for my Language, I'm from Europe, Czech Republic.
Thing I want to say is, that I really don't understand from where this so called Xenomorphs come from? I mean, that Engineer planet has a nature, lakes and stuff like that. I really don't expect that this Aliens should just walk on the grass somewhere on that planet, it's a strange idea.
It's more like you imagine some sort of dinosaurs somewhere on the jungle, instead of actual Xenomorphs. You know what I mean? Yea, for sure, if he talks bout that sets, he basically mean indoor locations, similar to Prometheus. But, then again, I ask myself if all these Xenomorphs are somewhere hidden, perhaps imprisoned. Then where they are? And if they escape in some moment from any of that mentioned engineer structures, what they do?
I'm really surprised how Ridley solve this imagination, becauce that planet (basically New Zeland atmosphere) has a beautiful nature, It seems that our Xenomorphs not entirely fit in this atmosphere, so my question is, if we see them only inside some structures, or even outside on the daylingt, because that idea is really strange, don't you think?
And in other words, I don't think that Aliens need a roof over their heads, so why keep them only inside, they want to go where they want to.
The problem itself is, that we never see an Alien somewhere on the nature, on te jungle or anywhere where it looks nice and natural. It's gonna be a really, really interesting.

I doubt that the xenomorphs or black goo is native or even created at planet-Paradise, to me the Engineers are like Prometheus, they stole fire from the gods, from some other world.
The fact that there will be xenomorphs on the planet-Paradise instead far off like on LV223 so not to risk their home world, means they would only have transported black goo to planet Paradise out of great need, like a war.

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Ft12.deviantart.net%2FfAwhoSgtmq6kEP08S9UfZBpRGII%3D%2F300x200%2Ffilters%3Afixed_height%28100%2C100%29%3Aorigin%28%29%2Fpre02%2F0601%2Fth%2Fpre%2Ff%2F2015%2F298%2F7%2Fa%2Fcthulhu_sketch_by_tentaclesandteeth-d9eey35.jpg&hash=7316f36534b7c197c78261e33eed4db29e051698)
It's my thought that the Engineers were in an inter-stellar war and were loosing it and as last resort used the black goo but destroyed themselves in the process. Since they say that in the next movie David will be alone on the planet, meaning all engineers have gone extinct? Maybe the one on LV-223 was the very last one of his species, unless some took refuge on some other star system...

I'm guessing David finds some kind of military industrial installation and starts to fix his own broken body and after that starts experimentering, well once the Covenant ship arrives at least, he must have sent some communications all the way from planet-Paradise to Earth.

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 07:05:41 PM
It's my thought that the Engineers were in an inter-stellar war and were loosing it and as last resort used the black goo but destroyed themselves in the process. Since they say that in the next movie David will be alone on the planet, meaning all engineers have gone extinct? Maybe the one on LV-223 was the very last one of his species, unless some took refuge on some other star system...

If Ridley does revisit the earlier concept of the Aliens being artificial weapons of war, I really do hope somewhere along the line we might get some indication of who they were weapons against. Just hope it isn't something as mundane as being intended for use against mankind. I'd like a return to the more eldritch and Lovecraftian feel from Alien.

i'd love to see something really lovecraftian monsters like those crazy Rathtars from star wars..

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 15, 2016, 08:06:03 PM

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 07:05:41 PM
It's my thought that the Engineers were in an inter-stellar war and were loosing it and as last resort used the black goo but destroyed themselves in the process. Since they say that in the next movie David will be alone on the planet, meaning all engineers have gone extinct? Maybe the one on LV-223 was the very last one of his species, unless some took refuge on some other star system...

If Ridley does revisit the earlier concept of the Aliens being artificial weapons of war, I really do hope somewhere along the line we might get some indication of who they were weapons against. Just hope it isn't something as mundane as being intended for use against mankind. I'd like a return to the more eldritch and Lovecraftian feel from Alien.

The most horrible things in the universe: Vogons and their poetry. :laugh:

Good point. I have a similar opinion like you. About that possible war between them.
The question is, what kind of enemy they could have? Another different species? Or just a different clan of them.
I think that your theory is really close to the actual story. Xenomorphs could act like a weapon of massive destruction in the planetary scale, so again it is probably close to the truth.
You aslo write that perhaps David should call for some sort of help or something like that, so the Ship "Covenant" cold be just another expedition that responds on David message.
Another possibility is, that "Covenant" ship is on the way to the engineer planet, because they capture the signal that dr. Shaw leave before she flew away (Prometheus ending).
My first idea was, that I imagine a dr. Shaw helping David put his head back on the body. But since source is saying that dr, Shaw will no longer be in this movie, I don't know what to think?
She died on the way to the planet? I don't think so, it seems that Engineer Spaceship could fly in the speed of light, we see that in the end of Prometheus, this ship uses some sort of "Jump" technology for flight.
I mean, that should give us a reason to think that dr. Shaw could reach engineer planet in relatively short period of time.
Can David kill her? Maybe after she helping him with his head? Or can perhaps she normally died, because she don't have any food or resources?
Covenant ship as a human ship could perhaps fly slower then the engineer ship, that means dr. Shaw can just die by the time before Covenant ship arrives.
Only David as an android can live for a long time. I'm really surprise what they say us about dr. Shaw.
But I have a strong feeling that she is already dead.
Ridley Scott already said, that we will se all the Xenomorphs forms, that we already know.
The egg, facehugger, chestburster and big boy. So I imagine that if there would be the eggs, there should be even the mother, the Queen itself. Source even say, that there is some sort of small squid like monsters, similar to one that we see at the scene from Prometheus, where the engineer is impregnated.
I'm so happy about this movie, I feel that this is gonna be unique, and I almost can't believe that there will be another opportunity to see a classic Aliens, and even more.

Last question I have is, the picture that you use on your comment, is that from you? Did you draw it? because I draw by myself, so tell me please. And again, please excuse me English, I'm from Europe.

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 08:25:40 PM
i'd love to see something really lovecraftian monsters like those crazy Rathtars from star wars..

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

One of the worst parts of that movie,
i would love to see nothing of that at all.

Quote from: Infected on May 15, 2016, 09:52:34 PM

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 08:25:40 PM
i'd love to see something really lovecraftian monsters like those crazy Rathtars from star wars..

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

One of the worst parts of that movie,
i would love to see nothing of that at all.

it's very lovecraftian, squid-monsters trying to devour everything. I agree it didn't fit star wars.

Nothing featuring Mad Dog and Rama is the worst part of anything. ;)

Quote from: Infected on May 15, 2016, 09:52:34 PM

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 08:25:40 PM
i'd love to see something really lovecraftian monsters like those crazy Rathtars from star wars..

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

One of the worst parts of that movie,
i would love to see nothing of that at all.

What he/she said

Blade Runner aesthetics would be lovely to see. Hearing this actually makes me more excited.

It's true that Prometheus does feel very disconnected from Alien because of its looks.

I'm thinking it will be a mash up of art styles.  I'm guessing the aesthetic the art department has embraced will take some of 'Prometheus' lavish looking sets and dressed it with some of the retro-future presentation of 'ALIEN'.  Throw some empty beer cans around the place, drape it all in failing neon, add puddles and have some hare krishnas wonder through the set.  lol.

'Blade Runner' did have some remarkable production design, that's for sure.  Revisiting that philosophy in an 'ALIEN' movie would be fantastic!

-Windebieste.

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 09:59:02 PM

Quote from: Infected on May 15, 2016, 09:52:34 PM

Quote from: Astronoë on May 15, 2016, 08:25:40 PM
i'd love to see something really lovecraftian monsters like those crazy Rathtars from star wars..

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

One of the worst parts of that movie,
i would love to see nothing of that at all.

it's very lovecraftian, squid-monsters trying to devour everything. I agree it didn't fit star wars.

I would leave it with movies as Pirates of the, journey to mysterious island and movies like that.
But thats my personal opinion.

Im hoping and still waiting for that undefineable stuff like the cargo hold of the Derelict, the jockey look (not the baldies)
the green crystal room, the room with the urns.

Quote from: PsyKore on May 15, 2016, 11:47:18 PM
Blade Runner aesthetics would be lovely to see. Hearing this actually makes me more excited.

It's true that Prometheus does feel very disconnected from Alien because of its looks.

Don't get me wrong, I did buy into their explanations but it still doesn't gel quite as well. I will be very very happy to see that used and abused aesthetic return to the screen. It's one of many things that helps make Alien.

Quote from: windebieste on May 16, 2016, 12:52:07 AM
'Blade Runner' did have some remarkable production design, that's for sure.  Revisiting that philosophy in an 'ALIEN' movie would be fantastic!

Even today with all the fancy CGI and other modern wonders available to filmmakers, it's still the benchmark for film production design. Nothing has surpassed it yet.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/michael-fassbender-really-fitting-in-to-the-australian-way-of-life/news-story/cda799c25d6676d217f81a54c10a6f8a (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/michael-fassbender-really-fitting-in-to-the-australian-way-of-life/news-story/cda799c25d6676d217f81a54c10a6f8a)

QuoteFassbender wouldn't though divulge too much about the plot of the much anticipated film.

"I'm really excited about this one I have to say," he said. "There's a lot going on, I think it is going to be super scary."

Take my money now!!!

I officially began to be VERY optimistic about Covenant!!! :o :o :o

Hmmm

Way too early ......

Quote from: Stolen on May 16, 2016, 04:54:02 PM
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/michael-fassbender-really-fitting-in-to-the-australian-way-of-life/news-story/cda799c25d6676d217f81a54c10a6f8a (http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/entertainment/sydney-confidential/michael-fassbender-really-fitting-in-to-the-australian-way-of-life/news-story/cda799c25d6676d217f81a54c10a6f8a)

QuoteFassbender wouldn't though divulge too much about the plot of the much anticipated film.

"I'm really excited about this one I have to say," he said. "There's a lot going on, I think it is going to be super scary."

Take my money now!!!

Can't access the article. Could you post the whole thing?

And that's really great to hear. I hadn't really considered returning to the horror genre but if Ridders is going back down that road and makes it work on the big screen like it worked in Isolation and the original Alien, I'm all for it!

 ;D

Spoiler

HOLLYWOOD actor Michael Fassbender is certainly making the most of his time in Sydney.

The X-Men star currently calls the harbour city home as he's filming Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant at Fox Studios.

"I am practically Australian at this point," Fassbender told Confidential on the red carpet at George Street's Event Cinema complex for the Australian premiere of his new film X-Men: Apocalypse.

"I am annoying people on the waves, I'm trying to learn. It is such a beautiful city because you've got such clean beaches very accessible to the city. It is actually really wonderful to see and the education around the beach and the water when you see the Nippers, I love that. It is a fantastic culture."


Director Bryan Singer (centre) on set of film X-Men: Apocalypse with James McAvoy (left, as Charles Xavier) and Michael Fassbender.
X-Men: Apocalypse is the latest in a string of films in the marvel franchise that sees stars including Jennifer Lawrence and James McAvoy return to the big screen.

"He is a pretty layered character," he explained. "It is a pretty sophisticated world even though it is a fantasy world, the X Men and the whole concepts that they are dealing with. That is really what drew me to it in the first place with First Class, there's such a depth in his history to draw from that you are never left with a two dimensional character as such."

Of Magneto's story this film, he continued: "When you first meet him he is sort of living a very simple and honest life, he has fallen in love and started a family and left his mutant ways behind and working in a steel factory of sorts which we thought was pretty interesting because he's not using his powers and doing manual labour as his penance.

"Things get a little skew whiff and he loses his family and he is recruited then by Apocalypse to help destroy the world."

Fassbender, 39, recently shot The Light Between Oceans in New Zealand and when production finished flew to Australia for a break.

"I stayed here for a while," he said. "I found a place in Byron for a month, it's a beautiful place to be. I really love it here."

He's only just started shooting Aliens so will be based in Sydney for some time to come.

Fassbender wouldn't though divulge too much about the plot of the much anticipated film.

"I'm really excited about this one I have to say," he said. "There's a lot going on, I think it is going to be super scary."

[close]

Shoggoths, please. :)

Quote from: Stolen on May 16, 2016, 06:55:31 PM
;D

Spoiler

HOLLYWOOD actor Michael Fassbender is certainly making the most of his time in Sydney.

The X-Men star currently calls the harbour city home as he's filming Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant at Fox Studios.

"I am practically Australian at this point," Fassbender told Confidential on the red carpet at George Street's Event Cinema complex for the Australian premiere of his new film X-Men: Apocalypse.

"I am annoying people on the waves, I'm trying to learn. It is such a beautiful city because you've got such clean beaches very accessible to the city. It is actually really wonderful to see and the education around the beach and the water when you see the Nippers, I love that. It is a fantastic culture."


Director Bryan Singer (centre) on set of film X-Men: Apocalypse with James McAvoy (left, as Charles Xavier) and Michael Fassbender.
X-Men: Apocalypse is the latest in a string of films in the marvel franchise that sees stars including Jennifer Lawrence and James McAvoy return to the big screen.

"He is a pretty layered character," he explained. "It is a pretty sophisticated world even though it is a fantasy world, the X Men and the whole concepts that they are dealing with. That is really what drew me to it in the first place with First Class, there's such a depth in his history to draw from that you are never left with a two dimensional character as such."

Of Magneto's story this film, he continued: "When you first meet him he is sort of living a very simple and honest life, he has fallen in love and started a family and left his mutant ways behind and working in a steel factory of sorts which we thought was pretty interesting because he's not using his powers and doing manual labour as his penance.

"Things get a little skew whiff and he loses his family and he is recruited then by Apocalypse to help destroy the world."

Fassbender, 39, recently shot The Light Between Oceans in New Zealand and when production finished flew to Australia for a break.

"I stayed here for a while," he said. "I found a place in Byron for a month, it's a beautiful place to be. I really love it here."

He's only just started shooting Aliens so will be based in Sydney for some time to come.

Fassbender wouldn't though divulge too much about the plot of the much anticipated film.

"I'm really excited about this one I have to say," he said. "There's a lot going on, I think it is going to be super scary."

[close]

That was literally all.  :laugh: Thanks for sharing though.

I wouldn't put too much stock in what Fassbender says. He tends to just be the professional and just find the good in things and not mention anything remotely negative. I remember in the run up to Prometheus he was just like "yeah......the sets are good......"

Well, he mentioned the sets and sets were great (In Prometheus), now he spoke about the story and the horror element, saying: "There's a lot going on (so there is some thriller/horror/mystery/adventure story), I think it is going to be super scary." Following that logic, it's easy to assume that they understood the vital importance of story and narrative. F**k the sets when you don't have a good story, even a good actor can't patch that huge oversight. So huge-mega great story + fine sets and good actors = terrific movie that could become a true successor of original Alien.

Well, last time around Riddles said the movie was going to be scary... and it wasn't overly so.

Wasnt scary at all and the movie didn't try to be scary or dreadful. I don't know why Ridley kept saying that. That and the trailer prepared me for a whole different movie that's for sure.

Really hope this one is different in that regard.

Well its difficult to make Xeno scary again. I hope they found a modus to do it. In my opinion, the only way to do it is to give Xeno a much larger context and purpose. We need something sinister and some new and original scary scenes.  ;)

Stompy was quite scary in isolation, its all about presentation.

Aside from that it doesn't have to try to be outright scary, just give it some thick dreadful atmosphere. Prometheus was more adventurous and even wonderous in tone for much of its runtime, unlike the trailers which were scarier than the film itself.

Quote from: Enoch on May 17, 2016, 01:04:12 AM
Well its difficult to make Xeno scary again. I hope they found a modus to do it. In my opinion, the only way to do it is to give Xeno a much larger context and purpose. We need something sinister and some new and original scary scenes.  ;)

Is it? I thought it was scary as hell in Alien: Isolation.

Quote from: NickisSmart on May 17, 2016, 09:52:59 AM

Quote from: Enoch on May 17, 2016, 01:04:12 AM
Well its difficult to make Xeno scary again. I hope they found a modus to do it. In my opinion, the only way to do it is to give Xeno a much larger context and purpose. We need something sinister and some new and original scary scenes.  ;)

Is it? I thought it was scary as hell in Alien: Isolation.

Alien: Isolation proved it could be scary again. One of the things that led to my fascination with the series was just how much Aliens affected me. I had horrible nightmares for 5 years. Alien: Isolation was a return to that kind of terror. The physical reactions I had playing that game - I was on literal adrenaline comedowns after playing it. It was one of the best Alien experiences I had ever had.

It certainly proved Ridley wrong when he said the Alien couldn't be scary again. It made Blomkamp sit up and take notice too. I certainly hope Ridley took notice.

Keep in mind that a game is a different medium/media than a film. Since it's more personal and interactive than a film it's easier to build tension.

While Alien: Isolation was incredibly tense, I'm not sure I'd call it scary. You knew what was hunting you, you knew what it looked like and you knew what got it's attention. Real fear is best generated by the unknown and what your imagination does with it.

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 17, 2016, 02:31:19 PM
Keep in mind that a game is a different medium/media than a film. Since it's more personal and interactive than a film it's easier to build tension.

While Alien: Isolation was incredibly tense, I'm not sure I'd call it scary. You knew what was hunting you, you knew what it looked like and you knew what got it's attention. Real fear is best generated by the unknown and what your imagination does with it.

True. :)

I reckon a BIG part of creating a 'scary' vibe to the 'ALIEN: COVENANT proceedings will be the music accompanying the images.  While there were some nicely moody cues in PROMETHEUS at certain times, the raw, snarly ALIEN score remains a huge part of the reason why certain scenes ramped up the tension.  Hopefully, some of ALIEN's dread-laden atmosphere can be reached once again by Ridley and his composer.

(By the way, going back to that 'space pirates'/'rathtar' scene from THE FORCE AWAKENS - I dislike it too in it's full existing form, but since I'm re-editing the movie for myself, I quite like the scene now in a far shortened, edited version - the corridor sets certainly wouldn't look out of place in an 'ALIEN' movie I thought)    ;D

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 17, 2016, 02:31:19 PM
Keep in mind that a game is a different medium/media than a film. Since it's more personal and interactive than a film it's easier to build tension.

While Alien: Isolation was incredibly tense, I'm not sure I'd call it scary. You knew what was hunting you, you knew what it looked like and you knew what got it's attention. Real fear is best generated by the unknown and what your imagination does with it.

I agree with the unknown, but an Alien in a vent is scary.



It's in the dark, you can't see it, but you know it's there, and it's coming straight for you. :)

Quote from: NickisSmart on May 17, 2016, 07:42:22 PM

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 17, 2016, 02:31:19 PM
Keep in mind that a game is a different medium/media than a film. Since it's more personal and interactive than a film it's easier to build tension.

While Alien: Isolation was incredibly tense, I'm not sure I'd call it scary. You knew what was hunting you, you knew what it looked like and you knew what got it's attention. Real fear is best generated by the unknown and what your imagination does with it.

I agree with the unknown, but an Alien in a vent is scary.

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

It's in the dark, you can't see it, but you know it's there, and it's coming straight for you. :)

This 'In the vents" made me think of the way the scares in alien and aliens were very much about the use of the sets in the story. In Alien, you're constantly on edge, because you don't know what it looks like, or where it is, and the Alien has tricks up its sleeve.
In Aliens the same goes. First you're in this Hive and the audience is on edge thinking what's this place...? Then they cant use their weapons, the whole colony is cocooned there, then they come out of the walls, then they are trying to escape. It keeps throwing new information at you in an unnerving way AND making use of the space/sets. Then AND MOST IMPORTANTLY when they hold up in the Med labs/compound, the audience is told: We are sealing these access tunnels, then we are using sentry guns and etc... You are always aware, in the audience, of the surroundings and what steps are being taken, and wondering where they will come from etc.
The motion-trackers help too.
Even the part in the med lab where the facehuggers attack. Its a great use of the set. They can't break the glass, BUrke shuts off the monitors, the gun is outside on the table - its such a great detail because it's not just missing, its right there to be seen - they set off the sprinklers... All about the set.
Overall, the use of the space is important. You need great set-pieces. Think about the first time you heard Ripley say "That can't be that's inside the room!" - All of that works because of the information we are given about the compound. In Alien 3 and A:R there is no real use of space. The only part that worked in that scene was the underwater scene because the set and events combined to surprise us. Especially when the exit was covered in that secreted resin. A nice set-piece. In Alien 3 the only decent set-piece was the Bait and chase at the end.
The problem with A3 and AR is the set pieces weren't so great. Prometheus had a few, but they seemed disconnected from each other.

Well see how it goes...

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 17, 2016, 02:31:19 PM
Keep in mind that a game is a different medium/media than a film. Since it's more personal and interactive than a film it's easier to build tension.

While Alien: Isolation was incredibly tense, I'm not sure I'd call it scary. You knew what was hunting you, you knew what it looked like and you knew what got it's attention. Real fear is best generated by the unknown and what your imagination does with it.

I thought it was absolutely terrifying. I think there's more to it than just the medium though - there's the presentation which stretches across medium. The visuals, the music, the use of audio. It all worked together to create an immense atmosphere. I really don't think Isolations success is based just on being a game - it helped, definitely, but I don't think that precludes it not being able to be scary again on screen.

Fassbender talked a little more about the set aesthetic in an interview with Aussie paper Herald Sun. Early in the interview he says:

"Fassbender is in Sydney, where he's filming Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, the sci-fi sequel to Prometheus. He's a big wrap for Scott's huge physical sets, which he describes as mixing cutting-edge NASA-like technology with "an old-school element where things look battered, like the original Star Wars..."

I love the sound of that. No more state-of-the-art research ship like the Prometheus but the look of something that was once state of the art but has been given some use and abuse. I'm sure that will make a lot of fans happy.

He also spoke a teeny bit about David: "And he loves playing the creepy AI synthetic, David. "He is creepy," he grins, like that's a good thing. "And he's back in a whole new way..."

He also mentions that Ridley Scott hadn't been able to decide between filming in Australia or Canada but Fassbender had insisted on Australia. I'll post up some pictures in a second.

---

(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2FCorpral_Hicks%2F13236169_10154177673451499_969817197_n.jpg&hash=bd8a2f70b18105eccf3aa121e0257b2e0ead9b15)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2FCorpral_Hicks%2F13224247_10154177687291499_1104940703_o.jpg&hash=e772a662082b7eb6393e3aa530069c1246866e74)
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv130%2FCorpral_Hicks%2F13231146_10154177675466499_774478700_n.jpg&hash=ca8339fecccf0131c41f8fe9a5fbf003b2825b96)

So Covenant already have four pluses!

+ Fine cast!
+ Harry Gregson Williams as composer
+ Good design choose
+ Xeno and all the monsters!
?+ Locations and excellent sets (probably)
?+ David!!!

The big mystery is of course story and screenplay! Three writers, and three is a lucky number! ;D

Least the are bringing the design aspect closer to the original Alien. Maybe it all depends on the type of ship and the reason Prometheous was so Shiny is because of the people it had on board. Weyalnd Yutani dont care about Dumbass colonists lol

The reason that is always bandied around about the difference in design is that the Prometheus was a state of the line research vessel. It also turned out to have the CEO of the company on board so I can buy into the general aesthetic difference. It was one of the things that people thought made it stand out - and not in a good way - from Alien.

It never bothered me really for the reasons already mentioned, being Weylands ship and all. I actually don't mind them updating the tech of this universe as long as it still looks run down and grungy.

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 19, 2016, 12:39:32 PM
"Fassbender is in Sydney, where he's filming Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, the sci-fi sequel to Prometheus. He's a big wrap for Scott's huge physical sets, which he describes as mixing cutting-edge NASA-like technology with "an old-school element where things look battered, like the original Star Wars..."

Strange that he would say, "like the original Star Wars" when he could just have said "like the original Alien". But I suppose it comes down to the same thing really.

The weathering on the Nostromo was really amazing. The torn and worn seats on the bridge, the scratch and scuff marks on the suits, the worn clothing etc. It gave it a real-world believability that Prometheus' pristine sets often lacked. There were actually times in Prometheus when it felt that you were really just looking at a newly constructed movie set.

So good to hear that grunge is back.

Well I do believe it was the maiden voyage of the prometheus, so it was a newly constructed ship.

It was already more than 2 years old by the time we see it.

But my issue isn't about it looking like a new ship. It's about it looking like a movie set.

Quote from: 420Buddy on May 19, 2016, 03:46:09 PM
It never bothered me really for the reasons already mentioned, being Weylands ship and all. I actually don't mind them updating the tech of this universe as long as it still looks run down and grungy.

Agreed. Makes perfect sense. What would have ticked me off, is if this Colony-ship wasn't somewhere in between. So this is good news. Makes me think Scott may be more aware than people were unforgiving, after Prometheus.

I think it will be interesting to see the mythology surrounding colonizing explored in the series, more than before.

I'm wondering, with the explosion of the ship on shore that we already know about, if this film won't somehow revolve around them being marooned and unable to leave the planet. Or if the bulk of it doesn't occur while they are trying to repair the ship. Kind of like in Alien when they are just trying to get off LV426.
or-

In colonizing Mars, we talk a lot about the crew making a one way trip. Like - they only have what they need to get there but not to leave. That could be an interesting angle to play up as well.

David also says he is different. It made me wonder whether he will be wearing one of those Engineer bio-suits.

This is very curious.  I wonder if it means we will see old tech like in Alien or just worn-out tech.  I get the impression that this will not be an advanced scientific expedition who go to the planet on purpose, but rather a bunch of space truckers who accidentally find it.

I didn't mind Prometheus design at all, even though I was very attached to the original retro look.
What worries me with each Ridley Scott film is the story.

He has strong visual, both in mis en scène and artistic design.
Always had top noch VFX & SFX for all his film I think.

But the story of most of his recent films are so full of void, I think he never managed to get something out after American Gangster, which I hate to say because the doode made Blade Runner, Alien, Gladiator, Kingdhom of Heaven and American Gangster which are films I love.
I can't blame him though, he was always one of this director who always tried something new, which is something I love about him. He just needs a good script and the way things are being made and windowed by major today probably makes it impossible for him to get above average.

I think it was an error for him to come back to the Alien universe.
Prometheus should have been as far away as possible from it.
I would rather see a new directors (I don't like Neil Blomdkamp but I think he's necessary in restarting the old machine) so after Fox has chased the money they could give it to more independent filmakers who don't have an appétit for huge epic drama / action thing.

There are many smart ways to implement Aliens in the verse without having to tell all the big picture about space jockey / weyland and all that stuff that just dismiss everything in the plot because they take so much space for so little things.
I think Alien Isolation could have been a perfect script.
It's short and it focuses on the atmosphere and the tension rather than the big themes and the mysteries (which frankly, fans care for but never made it into a good film, just see AVP, AVP-R and Prometheus where they tried to spend time on telling what the creatures are rather than telling the story itself).
You get answers relative to the story but not all the ultimate answer. I can't see the first alien movie with 2 hours of exploration in the derelict learning everything + two hours studying the creature. It makes no sense, it's an horror movie, not an archaeology / biology essay with some biblical paraphrase (I think Fincher managed that last one better, it's only good when it's subtle, whatever it is, sexuality, religious references, biology, historical facts/beliefs).

I like Kubrick's 2001 Odyssey and movies with intriguing themes. I think that movie like Covenant could have all the necessery atmosheres and frightening monsters, but at the same time it could also tell a bigger story. Bigger story does not need to include some bombastic actions and epic answers, it simply needs to imply that there is even more to Xeno than perfect organism and  bioweapon... What? I have trillions ideas ;D I hope those three writers wrote something new and original!!!  I dont expect biology/ archaeology  essay, whats the point of that? :laugh: Ridley already promised that all the references he intend to make in Covenant will not be direct at all...Subtle yet recognizable to those who like depth. (his words!).


David as human creation could play great part in this story. David is not evil at all, and fact that he cant be evil or good is
great theme to explore. He could serve as a contrast to Xeno creature!!! 

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 19, 2016, 04:31:20 PM
It was already more than 2 years old by the time we see it.

But my issue isn't about it looking like a new ship. It's about it looking like a movie set.

Well, two years old with nobody on it active other than a robot who doesn't need to even go to the bathroom theoretically should result in the ship looking exactly as it did when it took off.  I don't understand how you think the ship would have weathered at all in 2 years time when everyone on it was sleeping.

Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on May 19, 2016, 04:31:20 PM
It was already more than 2 years old by the time we see it.

But my issue isn't about it looking like a new ship. It's about it looking like a movie set.

Interesting, I thought all the sets looked top-notch and believable.

It looked like a brand new pristine ship on its maiden voyage imo.

Quote from: 420Buddy on May 19, 2016, 05:33:52 PM
Interesting, I thought all the sets looked top-notch and believable.

It looked like a brand new pristine ship on its maiden voyage imo.

Totaly agree. I also like that they are going to mix old with new in Covenant. :)

I'm increasingly getting this sinking feeling that David will create the Aliens..

Ok the Prometheus ship was modern, but the art direction was fantastic and the sets f**king real. It was refreshing while not betraying the spirit of the saga. The only useless thing is hologram.

Fassbender is very excited by this new project! as a kid!

Quote from: Perfect-Organism on May 19, 2016, 06:08:06 PM
I'm increasingly getting this sinking feeling that David will create the Aliens..

I dont think so... ;)

I think he might be referring to his awesome biomechanical body! (he says, hoping!)

If he's a synthetic, maybe he could survive the process and Shaw doesn't?

What process? Of using black goo?

Quote from: NickisSmart on May 19, 2016, 08:39:36 PM
If he's a synthetic, maybe he could survive the process and Shaw doesn't?

Maybe he uses the black goo to fuse his head with Shaw's body.

I was going to say that we don't know if the goo would have any effect on David as Fire and Stone comics consider it some sort of genetic accelerant, in which case it wouldn't have any effect on David but then I remembered Ridley has no obligation to staying with that. Though, considering the comics had to be reworked because of what they were doing with Prometheus 2 would mean that they might have a decent inkling of Scott's intent so perhaps that will be consistent.

Regardless, I really can't wait to see just what design they come up with for David's new body. I really hope it's a really visually piece of Engineer engineering.

Got that too....

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 19, 2016, 08:55:34 PM
What process? Of using black goo?

Yeah. It is a process. It certainly didn't do Fifield Rocklover any favors, but Fassy might just be able to endure it, because, well, he's an android, and doesn't have a soul; perhaps the latter element, thought slightly tongue-in-cheek, could mean he's unable to be corrupted like reprobate men are, symbolically-speaking.

Quote from: NickisSmart on May 20, 2016, 07:06:54 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 19, 2016, 08:55:34 PM
What process? Of using black goo?

Yeah. It is a process. It certainly didn't do Fifield Rocklover any favors, but Fassy might just be able to endure it, because, well, he's an android, and doesn't have a soul; perhaps the latter element, thought slightly tongue-in-cheek, could mean he's unable to be corrupted like reprobate men are, symbolically-speaking.

I think its an interesting thing to explore - the black goo's affects on an android - i just think it needs to be part of something larger and based ok the images leaked today, if it happens it would be part of somethjng larger.

Quote from: CainsSon on May 20, 2016, 07:55:38 PM

Quote from: NickisSmart on May 20, 2016, 07:06:54 PM

Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 19, 2016, 08:55:34 PM
What process? Of using black goo?

Yeah. It is a process. It certainly didn't do Fifield Rocklover any favors, but Fassy might just be able to endure it, because, well, he's an android, and doesn't have a soul; perhaps the latter element, thought slightly tongue-in-cheek, could mean he's unable to be corrupted like reprobate men are, symbolically-speaking.

I think its an interesting thing to explore - the black goo's affects on an android - i just think it needs to be part of something larger and based ok the images leaked today, if it happens it would be part of somethjng larger.

Well, in some of the Rage War novels, you have Alien organic devices modifying entire ships, so who knows what the goo is capable of?

Quote from: Stolen on May 19, 2016, 06:15:31 PM
Ok the Prometheus ship was modern, but the art direction was fantastic and the sets f**king real. It was refreshing while not betraying the spirit of the saga. The only useless thing is hologram.

Fassbender is very excited by this new project! as a kid!

dafuq? That was the best part of the movie, lol! In 3D it looked spectacular!
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.masterimage3d.com%2Fsystem%2Fimages%2FBAhbB1sHOgZmSSIpMjAxMi8wNy8wOC8xMl8zN180NF82NV9zdGFybWFwXzEuanBnBjoGRVRbCDoGcDoKdGh1bWJJIgo2NjB4PgY7BkY%2Fstarmap-1.jpg&hash=d2304b555167190b0e73d2f6c525489aa5272ac8)

I was talking about this

(https://theshootening.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/prometheus34.jpeg)

Quote from: Astronoë on May 21, 2016, 07:23:50 AM
That was the best part of the movie, lol! In 3D it looked spectacular!
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.masterimage3d.com%2Fsystem%2Fimages%2FBAhbB1sHOgZmSSIpMjAxMi8wNy8wOC8xMl8zN180NF82NV9zdGFybWFwXzEuanBnBjoGRVRbCDoGcDoKdGh1bWJJIgo2NjB4PgY7BkY%2Fstarmap-1.jpg&hash=d2304b555167190b0e73d2f6c525489aa5272ac8)

Easily one of my favourite visual scenes in the entire series. Just out of the sheer majesty and beauty of it.

Quote from: Stolen on May 21, 2016, 07:35:27 AM
I was talking about this

(https://theshootening.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/prometheus34.jpeg)

I think that was probably the single most intrusive thing in terms of technology.

Quote from: Stolen on May 21, 2016, 07:35:27 AM
I was talking about this

(https://theshootening.files.wordpress.com/2012/03/prometheus34.jpeg)

They executed it well, but can you imagine how out of place that would have looked I in any of the other 4 alien films?  Remember that moment Aliens where they're looking over the schematics?  Funny how old-school those schematics and that whole device are already and it's only 2017..