Seems this isn't the comic adaption. But the full script.
https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Lost-Screenplay-William-Gibson/dp/1789097525/ref=sr_1_21?keywords=titan+books&qid=1610630563&s=books&sr=1-21
Coming August 31st 2021.
Goodness gracious now we're getting a novel adaptation of Gibsons A3?! I mean it's an interesting take for a sequel but we already have the script, comic and audio drama. I guess Titan wanted in on the fun too lol.
At least this one won't have rushed art like the comic? :D
more info here
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688447/alien---alien-3-the-lost-screenplay-by-william-gibson-by-pat-cadigan-william-gibson/
QuoteWilliam Gibson's never-before-adapted screenplay for the direct sequel to Aliens, revealing the fates of Ripley, Newt, the synthetic Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. When the Colonial Marines vessel Sulaco docks with space station and military installation Anchorpoint, a new form of Xenomorph appears. Written by Hugo Award-winning novelist and "Queen of Cyberpunk" Pat Cadigan, based on Gibson's never-produced first draft.
First draft, fyi, was the more expensive, action heavy take with hundreds of xenomorphs and a much larger vision of the Anchorpoint station, inspired by Syd Mead (think Sevastopol but more.. ELITE).
Pat is a well regarded writer who can be found via https://twitter.com/cadigan
Funny, I was wondering if this was going to happen considering a good chunk of the graphic novels/comics got turned into novels. I was actually hoping this would get expanded on because after I read the comic series I was wanting more.
hope it blends the action of the first draft with the expanded characterization of the 2nd.
Given that this is a novel there might even be room for.... Ripley to finally fit into this story?
The writer is fighting terminal cancer... hope she had a lot of fun writing this...
(be nice, people. Never know if she reads this place)
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 14, 2021, 04:31:54 PM
hope it blends the action of the first draft with the expanded characterization of the 2nd.
Given that this is a novel there might even be room for.... Ripley to finally fit into this story?
The writer is fighting terminal cancer... hope she had a lot of fun writing this...
(be nice, people. Never know if she reads this place)
Yeah, when I first read it I was thrown off by Ripleys non involvement, but then again it wasn't nearly as devastating as the beginning of Alien 3 the movie, so I'll take it! Ha
Figured what the hell, I just put in a pre-order for this. I'm always curious about seeing adaptations of unproduced drafts. Hoping for something really cool here!
Along with Into Charybdis, I'd say that this is probably the most interesting thing Titan currently has in the pipeline right now.
Instant pre-order done.
So this one has finally been announced! Was expecting to see when we got the next previews.
seems like the pre-order links went up before the proper schedule.
Alien3 keeps being even more of a "choose your own adventure" thing..
So its a version of the first draft. Each version gets its chance to shine then
I fear the same issues that plagued the other adaptations will plague this - it's a first draft and it shows.
They really do need to be throwing us a third draft! Though I'm still excited to see what Pat does with this one.
there's definite ways to smooth over the issues that plagued that script,
(the main thing being the weak characterization of Bishop and Hicks in both drafts.)
Kinda get the feeling that this is only going to have one queen, for starters.
I want to see the second draft's animated adaptation, that's very good.
Give Gibson a rest. Try Twohy's take for once.
twohy's was just plain boring, tbh.
I'd still like to see his one with Ripley in.
But I've said it before, and I'll say it again, give me them all! I don't care. Give me Eric Red's too.
Twohy's was pretty good up until the escape attempt gets foiled. It got progressively random for there.
I just hope this sells well and they finally put together a sequel to tie up Gibson's cliffhanger ending.
Where's Ward's script adaptation, f**kers !!! >:( >:( >:(
Quote from: Kradan on Jan 15, 2021, 10:44:11 PM
Where's Ward's script adaptation, f**kers !!! >:( >:( >:(
Nobody wants that. It has no UPP in it.
Oh yeah, 'cause people love commies now, right ?
Space commies with space Hinds and space Kalashnikovs!
Да, товарищ!
Space Kradans! :o
You're this far
(https://media1.tenor.com/images/77c1ed3199055f4dc79e80f883f33322/tenor.gif?itemid=5676598)
from this
(https://thumbs.gfycat.com/CavernousNiftyAmethystgemclam-size_restricted.gif)
comrades
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2Fz7VluHT.jpg&hash=ad6affc461836f8f15b21b5ed0596add35414287)
Grandpa ?
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 15, 2021, 10:36:53 AM
seems like the pre-order links went up before the proper schedule.
Alien3 keeps being even more of a "choose your own adventure" thing..
Always has been. This is the dividing point of the community. It seems that even the copyright holders themselves are using the weak Alien 3 to create numerous stories. Like: "Yes-yes, we know you don't like Alien 3, so here you go - keep another Aliens sequel."
Funnily enough, they're all better than Alien 3. I really look forward to this book, especially if it is according to Gibson's first draft.
The film was the best Alien 3. Nothing else had the chance to develop.
that doesn't stop people from picking these gibson adaptations as their favorite alien3's because "hix and nut are still alive uwu :'( "
Anyway, these are fun alternatives and i kinda feel like this novel might just end up being the best iteration of Gibson's story.
Quote from: Drukathi on Jan 16, 2021, 11:01:35 AM
It seems that even the copyright holders themselves are using the weak Alien 3 to create numerous stories. Like: "Yes-yes, we know you don't like Alien 3, so here you go - keep another Aliens sequel."
Would you say that about The Star Wars too? I strongly disagree with this one. It's just a chance to see those other possibilities, and for Alien fans, Alien 3 is the deep well (unless they let someone in to have a look at all those other sequel pitches we don't know about). But as SM says, none of the others got to really develop, so they do all have that first draft vibe. I think it's important to be aware of that.
Isn't this Aliens 2, not 3? Part 3 was the one that took place in that prison with all the Brits. The Alien movie with the Marines was part 2.
Aliens 3 is my favorite, all the Brits were the best!
Quote from: YogaJude108 on Jan 16, 2021, 06:41:50 PM
Isn't this Aliens 2, not 3? Part 3 was the one that took place in that prison with all the Brits. The Alien movie with the Marines was part 2.
I'm guessing this is because I used the picture of Hicks? In this alternate version of Alien 3, Hicks survives.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 16, 2021, 05:47:41 PM
Would you say that about The Star Wars too?
If we are talking about the copyright holders of SW, then I do not know. It looks like after a cold meeting of the nonsense called SeQuEl tRyLogY - someday we'll get a retcon. Not now, but in a few (tens) years. If you mean my opinion, then - yes. Alien 3 is simply an unrivaled level of quality compared to Sequel Trilogy's brown substance.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 16, 2021, 05:47:41 PMfor Alien fans, Alien 3 is the deep well
It's fair to say that this is pretty subjective.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 16, 2021, 05:47:41 PMnone of the others got to really develop
The only one developed does not automatically mean good. Just a survivor in a development hell. Like Morse - he is also the sole survivor of the Fury-161. But you can't call him good or even say - oh, at least someone survived and that's good. Because he is just a "survivor", the last one standing.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 16, 2021, 05:47:41 PM
so they do all have that first draft vibe.
The only thing that survived is nonsense with the appearance of the egg. I don't even know which is worse - a magic egg out of nowhere or an egg grown in Bishop. How? Why?
Gibson's Alien 3 was interesting, but not good. The characterisation is very poor and the story is meh! For me Alien3 is a very well made final movie. It has lots of Drama, charakter and a depressing situation in a great setting. I hope we will never see a movie where Ripley returns. It is time to go one Fanboys!
A retcon of the sequel trilogy in Star Wars will never happen. Deal with it shitty SWfandom!
QuoteIt's fair to say that this is pretty subjective.
No, objectively Alien 3 has a deeper well of varied drafts. Early drafts of Alien, Aliens and Alien Resurrection are all very similar to what ended up on screen.
QuoteThe only one developed does not automatically mean good.
No one claimed such a thing.
The filmed version of Alien 3 ending up better than any of the script drafts - makes it just that - better.
Quote from: El Pistolero on Jan 18, 2021, 06:37:41 AM
Gibson's Alien 3 was interesting, but not good. The characterisation is very poor and the story is meh! For me Alien3 is a very well made final movie. It has lots of Drama, charakter and a depressing situation in a great setting. I hope we will never see a movie where Ripley returns. It is time to go one Fanboys!
A retcon of the sequel trilogy in Star Wars will never happen. Deal with it shitty SWfandom!
sequel trilogy retcon probably won't happen but dumber things have happened in hollywood (just look at the Snyder cut). :laugh:
New Halloween movie even retcons the previous entries outside of the original.
Same with Dark Fate and the other Terminator films.
I'm just saying.. if it happens...
it will only be surprising if you haven't been paying attention to how Hollywood works.
I like how they're publishing these versions of Alien 3, but do these items add to the richness of the universe, or merely the richness of a bank account...?
It just goes to show how much demand there is for a storyline that didn't upset people.
Quote from: FenGiddel on Jan 18, 2021, 07:48:33 PM
I like how they're publishing these versions of Alien 3, but do these items add to the richness of the universe, or merely the richness of a bank account...?
the writer has terminal cancer, who cares about "adding to the richness of the universe"
hope she had a ton of fun with it. now that's wealth.
Alien3 spin-off scripts are practically their own universe.Vincent Ward's Wooden Planet Alien3,anybody?:)
The Alien 3 film starts developing a lot of undesirable aspects of the alien franchise imo. I'm pretty engaged with most other versions of alien 3/an Aliens sequel, I think there's only so many times to exploit an alternate though
Which undesirable aspects?
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 18, 2021, 09:10:12 PM
Quote from: FenGiddel on Jan 18, 2021, 07:48:33 PM
I like how they're publishing these versions of Alien 3, but do these items add to the richness of the universe, or merely the richness of a bank account...?
the writer has terminal cancer, who cares about "adding to the richness of the universe"
hope she had a ton of fun with it. now that's wealth.
If anyone has cancer terminal or not there is no "fun" to it.
the fun being in the writing of the book.....
because she's choosing to spend her years doing what she loves...
absolutely bizarre interpretation of what i wrote. :laugh:
Apologies I totally misinterpreted your post. I just lost a loved one to cancer. Watching them suffer.
Quote from: Capt. Dallas at Thedus on Jan 18, 2021, 09:19:54 PM
Alien3 spin-off scripts are practically their own universe.Vincent Ward's Wooden Planet Alien3,anybody? :)
Have to agree, there.
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jan 18, 2021, 08:35:33 PM
It just goes to show how much demand there is for a storyline that didn't upset people.
Coming to this blind, I am anxious to see exactly what is the story.
Quote from: Darwinsgirl on Jan 20, 2021, 02:42:35 AM
Apologies I totally misinterpreted your post. I just lost a loved one to cancer. Watching them suffer.
Ah, you're fine. And condolences for your loss, Darwinsgirl.
Thank you FenGiddle
Is this really necessary?
"Necessary?" Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? ???
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jan 22, 2021, 06:46:04 PM
Is sthis really necessary?
I apologize to all for my part in this. Done as far as I am concerned.
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jan 22, 2021, 07:07:22 PM
"Necessary?" Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? ???
Can somebody explain to me what's going on here ?
Quote from: Kradan on Jan 22, 2021, 08:31:53 PM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Jan 22, 2021, 07:07:22 PM
"Necessary?" Is it necessary for me to drink my own urine? ???
Can somebody explain to me what's going on here ?
No, but its sterile and I like the taste.
Since a big part of the conversation here is alternative alien3 stories/scripts, I thought I'd share this (link below). Found a graphic novel version of Vincent Ward's script online a while back but it's unfinished and I'm not sure they plan to finish it :-/ anyway, thought at least a few people here might be interested in checking it out:
http://vincentwardfilms.com/project/concepts/alien-3/graphic-novel-in-8-parts/part-1/
Pity it's not being finished.
Synopsis is out.
https://bnccatalist.ca/ViewTitle.aspx?id=29966759
William Gibson's never-before-adapted screenplay for the direct sequel to Aliens, revealing the fates of Ripley, Newt, the synthetic Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. When the Colonial Marines vessel Sulaco docks with space station and military installation Anchorpoint, a new form of Xenomorph appears. Written by Hugo Award-winning novelist and "Queen of Cyberpunk" Pat Cadigan, based on Gibson's never-produced first draft.
The Sulaco—on its return journey from LV-426—enters a sector controlled by the "Union of Progressive Peoples," a nation-state engaged in an ongoing cold war and arms race. U.P.P. personnel board the Sulaco and find hypersleep tubes with Ripley, Newt, and an injured Hicks. A Facehugger attacks the lead commando, and the others narrowly escape, taking what remains of Bishop with them.
The Sulaco continues to Anchorpoint, a space station and military installation the size of a small moon, where it falls under control of the military's Weapons Division. Boarding the Sulaco, a team of Colonial Marines and scientists is assaulted by a pair of Xenomorph drones. In the fight Ripley's cryotube is badly damaged. It's taken aboard Anchorpoint, where Ripley is kept comatose. Newt and an injured Corporal Hicks are awakened, and Newt is sent to Gateway Station on the way to Earth. The U.P.P. sends Bishop to Anchorpoint, where Hicks begins to hear rumors of experimentation—the cloning and genetic modification of Xenomorphs.
The kind of experimentation that could yield a monstrous hybrid, and perhaps even a Queen.
Genuinely looking forward to it because of the Cyberpunk experience.
Yeah sounds like Pat isn't changing much from the script (at least as far as the opening events).
expecting all the alien related stuff to be high tier fun nonsense
but hopefully she'll punch up the writing in regards to Hicks and Bishop (and the UPP commando)
Main problem of those drafts was that there were no really interesting central characters (at least, that's the main complain among people who aren't addicted to cinemasins level pedantry.)
I get that Gibson wanted to return to the "ensemble cast of working class people dealing with horrible things while being manipulated by a big Company"
but.. that's not what i want from Alien anymore especially after how Aliens (and the actual Alien3) were so character-focused.
Cover reveal.
https://www.horrordna.com/news/cover-reveal-for-the-alien-unproduced-screenplay-novelization
Isn't that Worrall concept art from the Vincent Ward version of Alien 3, though? Or do I have that mixed up? :D
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Apr 22, 2021, 06:14:24 PM
Isn't that Worrall concept art from the Vincent Ward version of Alien 3, though? Or do I have that mixed up? :D
Yup
Good catch!
But it's still an awesome cover! I love it! Just not the yellow lol
That piece was also used at least twice, from what I remember, in the 40 Years art book.
Kinda bummed that they didn't commission something representative of Gibson's Alien 3 for the cover. That being said, this book is definitely on my radar; I'm quite curious to see how the draft is translated into prose.
It would also be pretty neat if Ward's script got this novelization treatment, while they're at it.
One of Titan's editors commented on it...
Quote
This book has a complex history. We chose Pat Cadigan because of her connection to cyberpunk, the subgenre William Gibson made famous. She had the good fortune of working with a draft of the script that's never been adapted. We looked at a variety of cover designs, and chose the Mike Worrall illustration because it was a variant on the Xenomorph that, like the screenplay, hadn't been produced. It also lent itself to a high-concept design. Ultimately the goal was to give Alien fans something unlike what they might have in their libraries.
That's a very fair rationale. I do look forward to checking out this adaptation.
Yea I thought so too.
Now I'm curious if they chose the yellow background as a reference to the yellow alien3 blu ray cover or if that's just a coincidence lol
At least they didn't use the sheep alien with a face on its ass.
Quote from: KiramidHead on Apr 22, 2021, 07:55:13 PM
At least they didn't use the sheep alien with a face on its ass.
Alternatively, they should adapt Ward's script and give us even more sheep Alien with a face on its ass.
I don't think ass-face is really necessary but I would genuinely love to see sheep Alien realised in some form
Spoiler
>:( >:( >:( !!! Just give me Ward's draft adaptation, goddamit !!! >:( >:( >:(
Ward's would work perfectly as a comic but that's unlikely now.
sigh
Quote from: KiramidHead on Apr 22, 2021, 08:43:19 PM
Ward's would work perfectly as a comic but that's unlikely now.
This may interest you:
http://vincentwardfilms.com/project/concepts/alien-3/graphic-novel-in-8-parts/part-1/
Quote from: Engineer on Apr 22, 2021, 07:51:24 PM
Yea I thought so too.
Now I'm curious if they chose the yellow background as a reference to the yellow alien3 blu ray cover or if that's just a coincidence lol
QuoteWe chose Pat Cadigan because of her connection to cyberpunk, the subgenre William Gibson made famous.
Cyberpunk, eh?
(https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9f/Cyberpunk_2077_box_art.jpg)
(https://www.horrordna.com/images/news/books/titan-books/alien-3-cover-reveal/alien-3-screenplay-william-gibson-01.jpg)
Quote from: Stitch on Apr 23, 2021, 05:21:05 PM
Quote from: Engineer on Apr 22, 2021, 07:51:24 PM
Yea I thought so too.
Now I'm curious if they chose the yellow background as a reference to the yellow alien3 blu ray cover or if that's just a coincidence lol
QuoteWe chose Pat Cadigan because of her connection to cyberpunk, the subgenre William Gibson made famous.
Cyberpunk, eh?
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/en/9/9f/Cyberpunk_2077_box_art.jpg
(https://www.horrordna.com/images/news/books/titan-books/alien-3-cover-reveal/alien-3-screenplay-william-gibson-01.jpg)
Lol
For the record, I asked about the blu ray cover being a color reference. Turns out that was a coincidence. Different shades of yellow anyway...
Hopefully this will be fairly good.
I'm not big on the graphic novel for various extensively explored reasons, mostly because of the artwork present, and although having Michael Biehn and Lance Henrikson back's surreal in a good way, that barebones interpretation of the script felt as first draft as I am aware it is.
But I hope the author for this gives it more their own personal spin, I have not read their work personally but their reputation gives me hope this will be something special, here's to Pat Cadigan.
Is this a paperback or hardback
Amazon has it listed as Hardcover and Forbidden Planet has it as a Paperback
Both listings have the same ISBN
Just had an email that the Audible's been pushed back to September.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 11, 2021, 07:23:58 AM
Just had an email that the Audible's been pushed back to September.
Same here. My physical copy got pushed back to the same date too.
Still end of August on Amazon UK.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 11, 2021, 01:37:22 PM
Still end of August on Amazon UK.
That's weird
Amazon US definitely says September 7th now
Alien - Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay by William Gibson https://www.amazon.com/dp/1789097525/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_glt_fabc_HK9PR7DS822QF5T8G833
Yep, I'm in the States and got the delay notice as well on my pre-order.
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 14, 2021, 04:03:59 PM
more info here
https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/688447/alien---alien-3-the-lost-screenplay-by-william-gibson-by-pat-cadigan-william-gibson/
QuoteWilliam Gibson's never-before-adapted screenplay for the direct sequel to Aliens, revealing the fates of Ripley, Newt, the synthetic Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. When the Colonial Marines vessel Sulaco docks with space station and military installation Anchorpoint, a new form of Xenomorph appears. Written by Hugo Award-winning novelist and "Queen of Cyberpunk" Pat Cadigan, based on Gibson's never-produced first draft.
First draft, fyi, was the more expensive, action heavy take with hundreds of xenomorphs and a much larger vision of the Anchorpoint station, inspired by Syd Mead (think Sevastopol but more.. ELITE).
Pat is a well regarded writer who can be found via https://twitter.com/cadigan
I actually liked the first script the best. Kind of an early take on weaponizing Alien virulence pre black goo.
Note: For the people that heard the audible drama via youtube, that (ilegal upload) version was edited by a very silly manchild who cut a lot of dialogue, character deaths, plot, etc. and mangled it all down to sheer nonsense just to... be shorter? Because shorter is automatically better?
Probably the kind of ape that watches netflix shows at 1.5x speed
Go grab the real deal.
Quote from: skhellter on Aug 13, 2021, 05:01:49 AM
Note: For the people that heard the audible drama via youtube, that (ilegal upload) version was edited by a very silly manchild who cut a lot of dialogue, character deaths, plot, etc. and mangled it all down to sheer nonsense just to... be shorter? Because shorter is automatically better?
Probably the kind of ape that watches netflix shows at 1.5x speed
Go grab the real deal.
You should report those as piracy 🤷♂️ Lol
Now that I'm thinking about it... I wonder if they pushed this book's release date back by a week because it was too close to the release date of "Aliens: Fireteam Elite."
(And also Marvel's Alien #6, but I don't think that'd be as big of a concern as the game).
Would have been a lot of alien stuff released in a short span of time, and the game might have impacted the book's sales in a manner of speaking...
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 11, 2021, 01:37:22 PM
Still end of August on Amazon UK.
My Amazon pre order has been pushed back to 22nd September but the site still shows August 31st
Quote from: Russ840 on Aug 19, 2021, 08:27:54 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 11, 2021, 01:37:22 PM
Still end of August on Amazon UK.
My Amazon pre order has been pushed back to 22nd September but the site still shows August 31st
Mine, too
Mine still says it releases on September 7th and that I'll receive it on September 7th (I'm in the US). Hearing about delays elsewhere though, makes me think it might get a bigger delay here too... :-/
I'm 5 chapters in now I've finished Forever Midnight. Really enjoying Pat Cadigan's writing, off to a nice strong start. Definitely not just a straight adaptation and is doing what good novelisations should do and expanding on things. Couple of continuity issues (47 years in cryosleep, Pulse rifle-mounted flashlights) that make me think this hasn't gone through SM or anyone else, but nothing major so far. Looking forward to continuing to read.
Hmm. Interesting.
I won't nitpick the continuity errors on this one so much because it's a tangent from the main alien timeline...
True. But those ones are details from the previous film, so they stand out.
Are there a ton of these errors?
You can't mount a flashlight on a pulse rifle? Is this the same universe as Doom 3? :laugh:
Quote from: Engineer on Aug 22, 2021, 03:55:42 PM
Are there a ton of these errors?
Nah, I said it was just a couple - not wanting to blow it out of proportion.
Quote from: KiramidHead on Aug 22, 2021, 03:56:42 PM
You can't mount a flashlight on a pulse rifle? Is this the same universe as Doom 3? :laugh:
In the future, duct tape is heavily regulated.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 22, 2021, 06:02:53 PM
Quote from: Engineer on Aug 22, 2021, 03:55:42 PM
Are there a ton of these errors?
Nah, I said it was just a couple - not wanting to blow it out of proportion.
Fair enough
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 21, 2021, 06:35:44 PM
I'm 5 chapters in now I've finished Forever Midnight. Really enjoying Pat Cadigan's writing, off to a nice strong start. Definitely not just a straight adaptation and is doing what good novelisations should do and expanding on things. Couple of continuity issues (47 years in cryosleep, Pulse rifle-mounted flashlights) that make me think this hasn't gone through SM or anyone else, but nothing major so far. Looking forward to continuing to read.
Have you an advance copy ?
Google Books has an excerpt here.
https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=rKUeEAAAQBAJ&pg=PT4&dq=alien+gibson&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwj1tqzwm83yAhVGT30KHfX0B2UQ6AEwAnoECAUQAg#v=onepage&q&f=false
Quote from: Russ840 on Aug 25, 2021, 09:22:42 PM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Aug 21, 2021, 06:35:44 PM
I'm 5 chapters in now I've finished Forever Midnight. Really enjoying Pat Cadigan's writing, off to a nice strong start. Definitely not just a straight adaptation and is doing what good novelisations should do and expanding on things. Couple of continuity issues (47 years in cryosleep, Pulse rifle-mounted flashlights) that make me think this hasn't gone through SM or anyone else, but nothing major so far. Looking forward to continuing to read.
Have you an advance copy ?
I have.
The prologue in that excerpt is clunky and stretches canon (mankind has encountered several sentient alien species? Hadley's hope was not a backwater but WY's jewel in the crown? Ripley's story about the alien hit the news?) but the first chapter is solid.
the sardonic tone of the writing fits the alien series like a pair of clown shoes.
Yeah, gonna skip this.
Hope Pat had a lot of fun writing this but not for me.
Quote from: Kane's other son on Aug 26, 2021, 08:33:09 AM
The prologue in that excerpt is clunky and stretches canon (mankind has encountered several sentient alien species? Hadley's hope was not a backwater but WY's jewel in the crown? Ripley's story about the alien hit the news?) but the first chapter is solid.
Ew disgusting.
Quote from: skhellter on Aug 26, 2021, 08:55:13 AM
the sardonic tone of the writing fits the alien series like a pair of clown shoes.
Yeah, gonna skip this.
Hope Pat had a lot of fun writing this but not for me.
Sardonic tone, can you be more specific in your meaning?
My copy I will be here later today.
I'm 240 pages in and still enjoying it.
Quote from: Trash Queen on Aug 26, 2021, 11:52:10 AM
Sardonic tone, can you be more specific in your meaning?
There's some distinctly sarcastic passages in how Pat writes - which I've actually really been enjoying, especially when writing from Hicks' POV.
https://intermultiversal.net/an-interview-with-pat-cadigan/
Big interview about this book.
Quote from: Trash Queen on Aug 26, 2021, 11:52:10 AM
Sardonic tone, can you be more specific in your meaning?
It's not just the sarcastic bits that Hicks mentioned, the prologue has omniscient pov narration with attempts at very cutesy humor (Ripley is referred to as the crazy cat lady a few times). Feels off-tone with the series and makes it feel like a spoof at times.
But i then read the Tully and Luc (Chang in the 2nd draft) sections and Pat seems to have nailed the overall tone down.
QuoteWhat did you think of Vincent Ward's ALIEN³ and the idea of xenomorphs attacking monks in a field of wheat? If you were asked to write a novelisation of that, would you run with it, or is there not enough space in the franchise for that?
I don't know anything about Vincent Ward's ALIEN³. Is this yet another script? If anyone wants me to write a novelisation for it, I'll gladly give them the name of my agent. (Hey, I'm just trying to make a living.)
:D :D :D
My copy arrived today from Amazon. Unfortunately it looks a little bit battered, so I'm getting a replacement copy delivered tomorrow.
I pre-ordered back in January on Amazon and won't be seeing my copy until the 7th, apparently, since that's still the listed release date on US Amazon.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 31, 2021, 11:35:36 PM
I pre-ordered back in January on Amazon and won't be seeing my copy until the 7th, apparently, since that's still the listed release date on US Amazon.
Same here
Looking forward to diving in.
I really love the cover to this book.
Going to dive in tonight.
Replacement has arrived, just in time for my birthday. Gonna dive in shortly.
Look forward to the inevitable reviews.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 31, 2021, 10:53:11 PM
QuoteWhat did you think of Vincent Ward's ALIEN³ and the idea of xenomorphs attacking monks in a field of wheat? If you were asked to write a novelisation of that, would you run with it, or is there not enough space in the franchise for that?
I don't know anything about Vincent Ward's ALIEN³. Is this yet another script? If anyone wants me to write a novelisation for it, I'll gladly give them the name of my agent. (Hey, I'm just trying to make a living.)
:D :D :D
smart. :laugh:
https://youtu.be/-rTLJqlu1_o tl;dw He liked it.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/4222687019?book_show_action=false - The best written review i've found so far, clearly written by a fan of the final film who knows all the production history. Worth a read. (Also positive).
http://trans--scribe.blogspot.com/2021/09/alien-3-unproduced-screenplay-by-pat.html Another positive review
My copy is currently out for delivery. Looking forward to digging in today. 8)
Wry much enjoying it so far.
Pat is very good.
finding some negative reviews of people who can't look past the humor.
Yes, i had that problem early on,
It's there and it gets cutesy at times but...
Aliens also had some very "cute humor" bits (Newt doing the salute, etc.)
And a lot of cyberpunk literature does have a wry, sardonic feel.
Stick with it and you'll be rewarded.
I'm about half way and I'm enjoying it. There seems to be a bit too much Aliens referencing for my liking, as if the author didn't think it could hold up on its own, but I quite like the actual writing style.
I actually really like that in regards to Hicks' PTSD and isolation.
Aliens literally happened yesterday from Hicks pov.
It's all still squirming around in his head..
OK. So, just finished it. Aside from disliking the overuse of characters from Aliens, I thought that was excellent.
The author clearly understood the main characters, and the expansion into their thoughts and feelings (or facsimiles thereof, given the artificial nature of Bishop) was well done.
Having not read the scripts in a long time, I enjoyed the story, and liked how it varied from the previously released comic and audio drama.
I'd be interested in other adaptations of unused scripts by Cadigan. I like her writing style.
some nerdy questions
Spoiler
how does she describe the "new beasts"?
and the mutant queen?
I'm just shy of 100 pages into this. Really digging it so far, as a sort of "historical" look back at a script that never came to be.
Quote from: Stitch on Sep 09, 2021, 04:08:30 PM
I'd be interested in other adaptations of unused scripts by Cadigan. I like her writing style.
Ward's is the one I'd be most intrigued to see adapted, but I'm not sure if Cadigan would be as good a fit there as she is with Gibson's. She seems to really excel/thrive with more cyberpunk stylings, the political/corporate intrigue et. al.
i think Ward's would make for a really poor novel.
Structure wise it's too similar to the final film and a lot of the appeal of that concept was in the visuals.
Would be a great big graphic novel (if given to artists with proper budget and time).
Quote from: skhellter on Sep 09, 2021, 04:32:01 PM
Would be a great big graphic novel (if given to artists with proper budget and time).
Larroca is busy on the main Alien title, do it quick while he's preoccupied!
[KNOCKS ON WOOD]
Keep that devil away.
I desperately want a faithful Vincent Ward script graphic novel.
But it's got to be a deluxe type production with creative freedom from a passionate artist. (Although the sheep ass I can do without)
Something closer to Alien The Illustrated Story or Dead Orbit than anything Marvel's done with the license yet.
ideally it would be overseen by Ward himself, with his choice of artist and maybe even rewrites it if he chose to.
Love the idea of the monks going against a chameleon-demon-alien.
But that's about, what, ten pages of the script? I recall most of it being Ripley, the monk, and the android wandering around the tunnels.
the Dead Orbit comic book didn't really have an incredibly complex script, either.
(guy wanders around, deals with problems, runs from the alien..)
Stokoe would be a good choice.
Quote from: skhellter on Sep 09, 2021, 11:04:37 PM
the Dead Orbit comic book didn't really have an incredibly complex script, either.
(guy wanders around, deals with problems, runs from the alien..)
Stokoe would be a good choice.
Dead orbit was brilliant in its simplicity. Stokoe also had the good fortune of being the writer and the artist, so he had a complete vision he could put to the page, which honestly I don't think happens enough in comics. He knew what he was visualizing and was able to articulate that vision through his own art rather than putting it into a script and letting some other artist try to interpret his vision.
I'd love to see Stokoe return to Alien! I'd also love to see Tristan Jones return with that sort of creative input (as in, not just the artist but also the writer).
Quote from: Engineer on Sep 09, 2021, 11:23:06 PM
Quote from: skhellter on Sep 09, 2021, 11:04:37 PM
the Dead Orbit comic book didn't really have an incredibly complex script, either.
(guy wanders around, deals with problems, runs from the alien..)
Get Stokoe back and get him to give us his original pitch.
Stokoe would be a good choice.
Dead orbit was brilliant in its simplicity. Stokoe also had the good fortune of being the writer and the artist, so he had a complete vision he could put to the page, which honestly I don't think happens enough in comics. He knew what he was visualizing and was able to articulate that vision through his own art rather than putting it into a script and letting some other artist try to interpret his vision.
I'd love to see Stokoe return to Alien! I'd also love to see Tristan Jones return with that sort of creative input (as in, not just the artist but also the writer).
I just finished this. In short, I really enjoy it despite any issues I have with the source material. Really liked Pat's style, really liked what she did with smoothing out the rough edges, would recommend. Time to start working on a proper review!
https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/56629170-alien---alien-3
Goodreads is kind of important for writers nowadays. For the people that liked it, please place a rating over there.
Finally finished this and I quite liked it! Pat Caddigan
Is a great, witty writer and kept me chuckling throughout the story. In terms of adaptations, this might be my new favorite as the writing truly enhanced an otherwise off-the-wall story. I'm glad this was an adaptation of the first draft as we've already had two interpretations of the 3rd draft and it made for a pretty relentless narrative. Overall I'd probably rate this an 8/10.
.
Spoiler
Just reached the birth of the Alien from Welles. Was shocked to see it described essentially as a standard Alien, rather than Gibson's "New Beast."
Really enjoying this so far. By and large, I think the story works better in novel form than it does the screenplay, and Cadigan's alterations/additions,
Spoiler
like sending Newt off on a different ship rather than the Sulaco,
seem to be going a long way to make sense of some of the script's wonkier moments. I'm still very happy that the
Alien 3 we got is the one we have, but I'm also happy that this script has been brought to life in this fashion as well. Big props to Cadigan's writing here, and I can't wait to blast through the second half of the novel.
My written review is up: https://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/alien-3-the-unproduced-screenplay/
"Give me Eric Red's crazy script."
[Knocks on wood, does the sign of the cross]
Oh god. Oh Jesus christ.
I think Titan could get away with a novelisation of Spaihts' final draft for Prometheus. They're different enough.
Anyway, Cadigan's novel is in the mail... tbd this week..
Quote from: skhellter on Sep 22, 2021, 11:23:11 AM
"Give me Eric Red's crazy script."
[Knocks on wood, does the sign of the cross]
Oh god. Oh Jesus christ.
I just want them all. Regardless of insanity. :laugh: Just want to experience them in other mediums. I think the dramas and comics are more appealing because it's a visualisation and a performance, but I'd still be interested in the novels.
Quote from: skhellter on Sep 22, 2021, 11:23:11 AM
I think Titan could get away with a novelisation of Spaihts' final draft for Prometheus. They're different enough.
Easily. No doubt about that.
i don't think the $$ interest is there to produce them all.
Gibson is a household name and that pretty much guaranteed all these adaptations of his work.
Twohy? Eric Red? ehhh
Ward's work deserves that graphic novel adaptation (with a good artist, with a proper budget and time to do it. No rush jobs. No Larocca.)
.....Eric Red's would be a good audible.. comedy.
Don't get me wrong, I've no illusion about them all being done. It's just something I'd like to see. I think, realistically, Ward's could probably happen. It's very well known and really different enough to stand out. I think Twohy's might be worthy at a push, being labelled as coming from the man behind Pitch Black.
Ward in graphic novel form with a great artist and full on sheep-face-butt, please.
funnily enough, an adaptation of Ward's script could be rewritten slightly to work as an immediate sequel to Gibson's.
:laugh:
Would fit right in.
Get Pat on the job.
The Alien being on Ripley's pod would make an equal amount of sense. :laugh:
https://twitter.com/Cadigan/status/1439857472378920964
Book arrived today.
Cover looks great in hand. Shiny.
Guess i'll line up a Alien/Aliens special edition rewatch..
While I was reading this I realized a few things, but the one that caught me off guard the most was the fact that I wasn't interested in seeing these characters again as much as I thought I would've. I've really enjoyed the expanded universe of this series and although it was nice to see what could've been with familiar faces, it wasn't entirely necessary.
One of the things Pat Cadigan does really well in the book was getting into the politics of "the company" and people's thoughts on them as well as a group called the UPP. She seemed to really enjoy talking about these groups more than the actual laying out of the story itself, or the characters and setting.
I wouldn't say it's a bad book, but I was expecting to get a little more regarding the alien(s) itself as there pretty vicious and spawn inducing in the book. Instead, the "alien kills a person" is left at just that, and the next paragraph moves on.
There was a few times I had to reread a section because it jumped so quickly from one scene to the next.
I wouldn't say not to read this because it's a good and enjoyable for what it is. I wouldn't recommend it to a non alien fan and feel this is just for the hardcore fans.
Plus I really, really like what the Earth Hive wars did with the characters and probably will always hold that up on the mantle.
Yeah, I think that in this book - but also, in the script that it is adapting - the political climate and worldbuilding and establishing of the relationship between such forces as Weyland-Yutani, the USCM, and the UPP is much more interesting than the characters' narratives and the evolution of the Aliens. Hicks isn't really much of a character in this story, and that's even after Cadigan enhanced his character from what was there on the page that Gibson left behind. :D That's one of the main reasons I'm happy that this script isn't what we actually got as a film back in the day; the Assembly Cut of Alien 3 remains, to me, the very best of the multitude of potential Aliens sequel options that we have been presented with, but on the flip side, Gibson's script's ideas and concepts offer a ton of fascinating ideas and concepts that feel so at home in the world of those first three movies that I'm glad to have this novel that explores them in a more fleshed out fashion (and Cadigan's novel is a stronger exploration of those ideas than the source material script in my opinion), and I'm glad that ideas from this iteration of the story, like the UPP and the new Aliens, have been worked into other recent materials like the RPG and Into Charybdis despite this story itself not having been what we got on screen.
I'd be pretty down to see Pat Cadigan explore a followup in this alternate timeline outside of the main continuity as well, just for the fun of it.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Sep 25, 2021, 12:01:10 PM
Yeah, I think that in this book - but also, in the script that it is adapting - the political climate and worldbuilding and establishing of the relationship between such forces as Weyland-Yutani, the USCM, and the UPP is much more interesting than the characters' narratives and the evolution of the Aliens. Hicks isn't really much of a character in this story, and that's even after Cadigan enhanced his character from what was there on the page that Gibson left behind. :D That's one of the main reasons I'm happy that this script isn't what we actually got as a film back in the day; the Assembly Cut of Alien 3 remains, to me, the very best of the multitude of potential Aliens sequel options that we have been presented with, but on the flip side, Gibson's script's ideas and concepts offer a ton of fascinating ideas and concepts that feel so at home in the world of those first three movies that I'm glad to have this novel that explores them in a more fleshed out fashion (and Cadigan's novel is a stronger exploration of those ideas than the source material script in my opinion), and I'm glad that ideas from this iteration of the story, like the UPP and the new Aliens, have been worked into other recent materials like the RPG and Into Charybdis despite this story itself not having been what we got on screen.
I'd be pretty down to see Pat Cadigan explore a followup in this alternate timeline outside of the main continuity as well, just for the fun of it.
Better said than I could have! I completely agree that the world she was building on was far more interesting than the story itself. I'd have no issue with her doing something in this universe if they let her.
I really liked the idea of the alien shedding the human skin and I wish that would've been explored more in the sense of the how but also of how crazy that could've been if it was more written out. Kinda feels like a missed opportunity
Quote from: Gentleman Death on Sep 25, 2021, 03:38:59 PM
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Sep 25, 2021, 12:01:10 PM
Yeah, I think that in this book - but also, in the script that it is adapting - the political climate and worldbuilding and establishing of the relationship between such forces as Weyland-Yutani, the USCM, and the UPP is much more interesting than the characters' narratives and the evolution of the Aliens. Hicks isn't really much of a character in this story, and that's even after Cadigan enhanced his character from what was there on the page that Gibson left behind. :D That's one of the main reasons I'm happy that this script isn't what we actually got as a film back in the day; the Assembly Cut of Alien 3 remains, to me, the very best of the multitude of potential Aliens sequel options that we have been presented with, but on the flip side, Gibson's script's ideas and concepts offer a ton of fascinating ideas and concepts that feel so at home in the world of those first three movies that I'm glad to have this novel that explores them in a more fleshed out fashion (and Cadigan's novel is a stronger exploration of those ideas than the source material script in my opinion), and I'm glad that ideas from this iteration of the story, like the UPP and the new Aliens, have been worked into other recent materials like the RPG and Into Charybdis despite this story itself not having been what we got on screen.
I'd be pretty down to see Pat Cadigan explore a followup in this alternate timeline outside of the main continuity as well, just for the fun of it.
Better said than I could have! I completely agree that the world she was building on was far more interesting than the story itself. I'd have no issue with her doing something in this universe if they let her.
I really liked the idea of the alien shedding the human skin and I wish that would've been explored more in the sense of the how but also of how crazy that could've been if it was more written out. Kinda feels like a missed opportunity
In
Alien: The Roleplaying Game...
Spoiler
The Destroyer of Worlds campaign actually uses this iteration of the Alien a fair bit. I'm currently playing the campaign, so I don't have all the details/spoilers on hand and won't until my playthrough is finished (we're nearing the end of our campaign now), but apparently from what I've heard it even develops a sort of origin/explanation for this "New Beast" that originated in Gibson's script. Someone that's already played through Destroyer of Worlds in its entirety (or at least, someone that's read all of the campaign's spoilers) might be able to provide a more explanation on this subject.
the way Gibson wrote Hicks in those 2 drafts felt very... noncommital.
As if Gibson was still hoping that Weaver would want to make the film so he didn't really detail much about Hicks' inner journey (to make the leads easier to swap down the line). The only bit where he comes alive (outside of the action man persona) is when he starts talking about class A drugs.
Cadigan said that Gibson's favourite characters were Ripley and Bishop (not really Hicks).
But Hicks IS a fave of Cadigan and the way she expands on his characterization shows.
I'm quite enjoying this, but it might have too many flashbacks to Aliens (Hicks is always remembering some line from that movie) and too many "people in meetings" scenes.
Also loving the sarcastic tone.
IRC "people in meetings" was something Gibson's first draft suffered from too
Quote from: Kradan on Oct 08, 2021, 08:57:37 AM
IRC "people in meetings" was something Gibson's first draft suffered from too
I'm touchy on this subject, I have to sit in meetings most of my day.
In criticism of Gibson's draft, I felt it was clunky for the story to have these 2 similar space stations that did similar things.
I mean the Sulaco is boarded twice and basically, the same thing happens: Bishop's parts are analyzed in a similar way, people sit in meetings on both stations, the Aliens break out, etc.
Would have been more organic to combine these into one station (Gateway?), which would have perhaps had a UPP section (Babylon 5 style).
Or just go with only the Rodina where all the Sulaco crew end up on.
Quote from: Wweyland on Oct 08, 2021, 11:13:14 AM
Quote from: Kradan on Oct 08, 2021, 08:57:37 AM
IRC "people in meetings" was something Gibson's first draft suffered from too
I'm touchy on this subject, I have to sit in meetings most of my day.
In criticism of Gibson's draft, I felt it was clunky for the story to have these 2 similar space stations that did similar things.
I mean the Sulaco is boarded twice and basically, the same thing happens: Bishop's parts are analyzed in a similar way, people sit in meetings on both stations, the Aliens break out, etc.
Would have been more organic to combine these into one station (Gateway?), which would have perhaps had a UPP section (Babylon 5 style).
Or just go with only the Rodina where all the Sulaco crew end up on.
Chalk that down to the era it was written. It was meant to be an analogy for the end of the Cold War was it not.
Quote from: Wweyland on Oct 08, 2021, 11:13:14 AM
Would have been more organic to combine these into one station (Gateway?), which would have perhaps had a UPP section (Babylon 5 style).
Or just go with only the Rodina where all the Sulaco crew end up on.
this would be the ideal path.
regardless, all the meetings give the novel the occasional feel of a tom clancy thriller (a la red october).
And Cadigan added a lot more wit to those sections. It doesn't hurt the book.
Unfortunately, neither Gibson nor Cadigan goes very deep with exploring the cultural differences between the Soviets and the US, something that Alex White did wonderfully with Iranians in Into Charybdis. It might have just been one space station.
Like Cold War Berlin in SPAAAAAACE!
The script and book offer some small tidbits about the background of the characters like Hicks has a sister named Zelda and Newt's father's parents are living in Oregon. I wonder if this information could be considered canon to an extent, as it happened before the story "branched off"?
At this point in time I wouldn't worry about canon.
Quote from: Wweyland on Oct 08, 2021, 07:54:58 PM
Unfortunately, neither Gibson nor Cadigan goes very deep with exploring the cultural differences between the Soviets and the US, something that Alex White did wonderfully with Iranians in Into Charybdis. It might have just been one space station.
I meant Anchorpoint and Rodina representing the US and Russia with each side building weapons and neither side knowing how far ahead the others were. You cant really get that analogy and the paranoia associated with it if it was just one space station. Both parties needed to be separated so to speak.
Quote from: TheBATMAN on Oct 10, 2021, 05:23:17 PM
Quote from: Wweyland on Oct 08, 2021, 07:54:58 PM
Unfortunately, neither Gibson nor Cadigan goes very deep with exploring the cultural differences between the Soviets and the US, something that Alex White did wonderfully with Iranians in Into Charybdis. It might have just been one space station.
I meant Anchorpoint and Rodina representing the US and Russia with each side building weapons and neither side knowing how far ahead the others were. You cant really get that analogy and the paranoia associated with it if it was just one space station. Both parties needed to be separated so to speak.
I agree, but the parties need to be visually contrasted and in need of good characters to distinguish them.
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Sep 25, 2021, 12:01:10 PMThat's one of the main reasons I'm happy that this script isn't what we actually got as a film back in the day
To be fair, this was literally a story in two drafts. It wasn't likely representative of what would have made it to the screen. It was just that they never moved forward with it, so the only things that exist are the two drafts Gibson wrote, before any real revisions. Who really knows what the actual "Alien 3" would have looked like had Gibson and Harlin not exited the project. I too am a big fan of the Alien 3 we got in the Assembly Cut, and it's amazing that someone as talented as David Fincher touched the franchise, even in such a flawed entry. But I still think there was potential to this story had it been made. Hopefully without the "skinburster" scene, at least. which is one of the things I think would have eventually been abandoned for being too difficult to film in the late 80s/early 90s, and too hard to get right without seeming schlocky to the audience.
Heck, this book is actually based on the
first draft. So it's even further back in the developmental process than the Audio Drama or Dark Horse's adaptations.
I dunno, I always thought there was a ton of potential to this script. It just needed a bit more revision and the collaborative process of actual filmmaking.
The skinburster and weaponized alien spore is kind of a precursor to what black goo does to people anyways.
I actually thought removing the limiter on the Alien (the facehugger) was a good idea to make them scarier because it makes them more virulent and makes them the nightmare, nightmare scenario. Aliens would be bad enough, but now there wouldn't be anyway to stop them. At least in the old infestation the Aliens had to take host.
You also remove part of what makes them unique.
Ridley Scott actually did the smart thing in keeping that idea separate from the Alien proper.
In my opinion anyway.
People forget the face-hugger and chest burster were the actual innovations of the Alien and that the adult was considered the boring bit when the film first came out.
Maybe, but it always seemed like an obvious ploy to get the alien back on the ship to me. Granted I saw alien last out of the trilogy growing up.
Quote from: Kimarhi on Oct 19, 2021, 03:38:06 AM
The skinburster and weaponized alien spore is kind of a precursor to what black goo does to people anyways.
The less the Plot Device Wonder Goo, or anything prequel related, appears in Alien-related material, the better.
Quote from: Wweyland on Oct 10, 2021, 08:49:35 PM
I agree, but the parties need to be visually contrasted and in need of good characters to distinguish them.
dunno. I'm liking the characters in this a fair bit.
Luc and Welles are very different, for instance. I'd say that covers the "progressive" vs "capitalist" ground.
Characterisation here is uncomplicated and effective in the same manner as the first 3 films, i've found.
I'm glad Cadigan doesn't subscribe to the "every character needs to have an arc" school of writing because that shit can get really tiresome and often leads to overwriting and to telegraphing the characters' endings well in advance.
(near the ending atm)
This is the best of the Gibson adaptations, btw. Easily.
Quote from: Trash Queen on Oct 19, 2021, 04:18:32 AM
You also remove part of what makes them unique.
Ridley Scott actually did the smart thing in keeping that idea separate from the Alien proper.
In my opinion anyway.
Correct.
Quote from: Kimarhi on Oct 19, 2021, 04:47:12 PM
Maybe, but it always seemed like an obvious ploy to get the alien back on the ship to me. Granted I saw alien last out of the trilogy growing up.
It absolutely was a ploy to get the Alien on board, but at the time it wasn't obvious, it was innovative. Normally the monster would just sneak in, like the Queen. The chest bursting is what got the script sold and what first really hit the public consciousness as far as the monster was concerned.
Side stepping that leaves you with just another monster lurking around killing people.
Maybe.
The creepiest part of the Alien is probably the facehugger itself. But the one limiting factor of the Alien is that they have to catch host, bring them back to the hive, and then gestate for more numbers.
In reality the Alien would be a never ending guerilla threat, there are just too many easy targets out there for them, but you can discern movements and probable locations of where they would be at by just knowing their nature. You know they are going to be around human prey, and that they would have to walk to get there, then you could just look for natural features or abandoned buildings once people in an area start disappearing. Send a drone in to confirm, then scuttle the building with a precision munitions with very little threat to human combatants.
The virulence of Gibson's script let the Aliens spread rampantly without the limiter. Individual spores could infect people from some distance away and takes away something that would be a weakness.
I also imagine you could alter the Aliens physiology to spread the spores instead of the eggs.
I kind of imagined this as a one off to squeeze some more life out of the franchise, maybe to show how careless and stupid humans can be if they were to actually get the alien. But if we are at that squeezing the life out of it point, maybe we should stop and shovel dirt on it.
I also imagined Gibson's script redone as a new property.
That last bit basically nails it on the head; if someone's changing something that much, do that idea as something new. The facehugger and chestburster aren't incidental to the Alien's identity (and one thing I like about Covenant, basically reaffirming that they're the aspect which really make the thing unique)
I always wonder how watching them out of order altered my perspective of the movies.
Back in the old rental days, for whatever reason Kroger (the grocery store had a rental section) and Blockbuster both never replaced lost copies of Alien. So I watched Aliens, then Alien 3 and then finally after about a year Alien was bought for my birthday.
When I did finally watch the movie, the Aliens physical characteristics and forms just didn't hit me the same way because I had been overexposed to them previously. I think.
The adult Aliens physiology is what actually is the iconic design to me. if I try to come up with some sort of generic Kimarhi monster in my head, the Alien always finds itself back in there.
Finished this.
Quite liked it.
My biggest fear going in was that, as an alternative to the darkest film in the series, this would feel like Aliens fan-fic, a happy little fun ride where they blast aliens to kingdom come, etc..et c..
Glad to have been very wrong.
Cadigan made this way darker than the original script and even though tone-wise it still owes a lot to Cameron's film, this is darker than anything that Cameron would dream of putting on screen.
Spoiler
Cameron would never make Hicks mercy kill children. Ever. Hell, that's darker than anything Ripley ever had to do.
Hicks as a paranoid, PTSD/survivors-guilt ridden mess of a man is probably the very best version of him. And the way Cadigan writes all that out feels honest and (thankfully), free of cheap melodrama.
Solid.
(this has some pretty fun gore too)
In some alternate universe, this was directed by Tony Scott, competitive as f**k, wanting to beat his brother at his own game.
If Tony Scott directed it the whole movie would be set at sunrise/sunset. :laugh:
easy to do with the holographic skies (ceilings) at Anchorpoint.
Would have a young Zimmer score too.
In an alternate universe, Fox got Tony Scott to do a proper, set in another planet Aliens Vs. Predator.
The paperback version is coming August 16th, 2022.
https://www.amazon.com/Alien-Unproduced-Screenplay-William-Gibson/dp/1803361131/ref=sr_1_7?keywords=titan+books&qid=1637361404&s=books&sr=1-7
Great! :D
I'm currently re-reading, at Chapter 26, and may have missed it, but did the novel ever say
Spoiler
what happened to the Sulaco? It wasn't the one taking Newt back to Gateway like in the script, it was a new ship called the Mona Lisa. So as far as I'm currently aware it's still sat in Anchorpoint's hanger.
Gave me Halo flashbacks.
The more i think about this book the more i like it and its take on Hicks.
All the mutations are easy to explain and the book hints at it.
Spoiler
LV426 was the aliens' first "meeting with mankind"... and the more they "use us", the better they get at finding ways to "reproduce" with us (with each generation).
Queen was already creating a new generation of aliens with new skills over at Acheron before Ripley destroyed her.
When the Queen attacked Bishop, genetic material from this new superior generation got implanted within him....
and things got out of control from that moment on.
The whole last third seems to work as this mini morality play with Hicks figuring out the role that lying (to self and others) plays in keeping hope alive.
Spoiler
When Hicks lies about the timing of the station blowing up
And considering Cadigan's personal history that theme.. feels a bit poignant.
Is there an audiobook version ?
no.
And the audible play version with Biehn and Lance Henriksen adapts the 2nd draft by Gibson (fairly different stories).
dammit
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 12, 2022, 03:39:14 PM
no.
And the audible play version with Biehn and Lance Henriksen adapts the 2nd draft by Gibson (fairly different stories).
Yes there is!! I have it, on audible.
just to clear things up.
this book by Pat Cadigan adapts gibson's first draft.
the audible play adapts gibson's second draft.
first draft has hundreds of aliens.
second draft only has two aliens.
They're very different stories.
So there's no audiobook version of this novelisation by Cadigan (which was Kradan's question).
They did an Audible version of the novel, but removed it from the shop for some reason. I got it before it was removed, but now Shevvie can't find it to get it and support just told him it'd been removed.
Quote from: skhellter on Jan 12, 2022, 03:58:26 PM
again:
this book adapts gibson's first draft.
the audible play adapts gibson's second draft.
first draft has hundreds of aliens.
second draft only has two aliens.
They're very different stories.
Right, and I have both on audible. I'm looking at them both in my library right now.
The pat cadigan book is narrated by Bradford Hastings. It's not an audio drama, it's just a standard audiobook.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 12, 2022, 03:59:17 PM
They did an Audible version of the novel, but removed it from the shop for some reason. I got it before it was removed, but now Shevvie can't find it to get it and support just told him it'd been removed.
Oh that sucks! I must have gotten it before they removed it too! Lol
!!!! this is news to me!
Why was the audiobook removed from the shop?
GODdammit
something something pirate flags
Spoiler
(someone send a link to kradan)
something something pirate flags
Yes, please !
(https://i.ytimg.com/vi/NJDLWd6tr7E/mqdefault.jpg)
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 12, 2022, 03:59:17 PM
They did an Audible version of the novel, but removed it from the shop for some reason. I got it before it was removed, but now Shevvie can't find it to get it and support just told him it'd been removed.
Yeah, I was wondering about this. I usually pick the Alien novels up on audiobook, and hadn't seen it available yet. Given that basically everything gets an audiobook these days, I thought that was odd.
Quote from: Xiggz456 on Jan 14, 2021, 03:30:10 PM
Goodness gracious now we're getting a novel adaptation of Gibsons A3?! I mean it's an interesting take for a sequel but we already have the script, comic and audio drama. I guess Titan wanted in on the fun too lol.
I'd like to see some of the other screenplays get some attention, like Ward's and Twohy's which I actually preferred to Gibson's screenplays. Don't get me wrong, I like Gibson's screenplays, I just find the other two more interesting; I think Twohy's is maybe more what you'd want and Ward's is the most fascinating of the bunch. I think they simply focus more on Gibson because he is a bigger name.
There's a paperback currently up for pre-order on Forbidden Planet for August 16th.
https://forbiddenplanet.com/349067-alien-3-the-unproduced-screenplay-by-william-gibson/
Well deserved.