So, is Aliens still considered canon?

[armageddon]

The planet with the temples is in the same solar system as the planet with the derelict.

Why on earth would W-Y colonize LV-426 and then start a search for the derelict when another planet full of working Juggernauts was just around the corner?

[escroto]

Yep. One can only hope this gets explained in a more probable sequel to Prometheus.

[harlock]

I know in Cameron's original script it was explained the Company only kept things on file for 50 years then got rid of it. Just so happened W-Y did investigate Ripley's claims but found nothing about any of the debacle in their records. Plus, it had been 57 years since it happened, new people were placed on the W-Y council since then, none originally involved with the Special Order given to Ash.

The colony on LV-426 was a coincidence, it was only Burke after hearing Ripley that wanted the xeno for the bioweapons division and a fat cheque.

The real question is why the Company in ALIEN diverted the Nostromo to LV-426 instead of LV-223. But that could be explained by...

Spoiler

They may have known the valuable ampules there were now damaged (a report sent by David or Weyland) and in the 30 years between the two films gained reports of another Juggernaut, sending in the Nostromo with Ash to gain the bioweapon.

[close]

[escroto]

I know in Cameron's original script it was explained the Company only kept things on file for 50 years then got rid of it. Just so happened W-Y did investigate Ripley's claims but found nothing about any of the debacle in their records. Plus, it had been 57 years since it happened, new people were placed on the W-Y council since then, none originally involved with the Special Order given to Ash.

The colony on LV-426 was a coincidence, it was only Burke after hearing Ripley that wanted the xeno for the bioweapons division and a fat cheque.

The real question is why the Company in ALIEN diverted the Nostromo to LV-426 instead of LV-223. But that could be explained by...

Spoiler

They may have known the valuable ampules there were now damaged (a report sent by David or Weyland) and in the 30 years between the two films gained reports of another Juggernaut, sending in the Nostromo with Ash to gain the bioweapon.

[close]

in A L I E N the company clearly knew of the alien organism. The "distress" signal contained very clear details of the creature, and that's precisely why Ash did know too

All this should be explained in a sequel to Prometheus

[harlock]

That's conjecture for some of that.

But at least in ALIENS, W-Y had nothing on-file about the xeno (its old data) and it was Burke working alone based on the co-ordinates of the Derelict given to him by Ripley that made the colony go dark, starting the rest of the film.

Come ALIEN 3, W-Y realise they're onto something, with the Marines wiped out and Ripley being clearly infected with an alien life-form, so they come to collect.

[Eva]

The planet with the temples is in the same solar system as the planet with the derelict.

That is not established in the film. As far as I'm concerned right now, they are 2 different systems. This one seems to have 2 small planetiods/moons orbiting the gas giant. The Zeta 2 Reticuli system had at least 3, possibly 4 orbiting the gas giant.

[Face Jockey]

Ridley distinctly mentions it is Zeta 2 Reticuli in one of the promo videos.

[ChrisPachi]

Ridley distinctly mentions it is Zeta 2 Reticuli in one of the promo videos.

He also mentions that Zeta 2 Reticuli is a planet which is a moon just off Io. He might as well of said it is set in Sydney, Texas, Canada.

[Eva]

^ this. I thought his quote in this context was completely useless, perhaps he was just fooling around with the interviewer and the interwiever/producer didn't realize it when they edited that promo piece.

[Valaquen]

in A L I E N the company clearly knew of the alien organism. The "distress" signal contained very clear details of the creature, and that's precisely why Ash did know too

Ridley Scott denied this completely. They didn't know: "This particular corporation didn't have any preconceived notion that an alien would be found on this mission, much less the particular alien that is brought onto the ship. The idea of bringing it back would not have been on the minds of the corporation executives when they first received the alien transmission. They just had high expectations when they ordered the Nostromo to investigate - it was purely out of curiosity."

[Parker]

I don't know why Riddles wouldn't consider at least Aliens canon since he and Cameron are buddies

[escroto]

That's conjecture for some of that.

But at least in ALIENS, W-Y had nothing on-file about the xeno (its old data) and it was Burke working alone based on the co-ordinates of the Derelict given to him by Ripley that made the colony go dark, starting the rest of the film.

Come ALIEN 3, W-Y realise they're onto something, with the Marines wiped out and Ripley being clearly infected with an alien life-form, so they come to collect.

Well, although Cameron's continuity in the canonical storyline (not regarding the monster of course) was quite acceptable, perhaps there may be a plot hole in this you are talking about the company and the colony. Yes you are right when you imply "why didn't the company send more grunts to the Acheron Moon?, "Why all of this 57 years later"?", but I don't remember If he really spoke about this more deeply.

There may be a Cameron's plot hole in that, but anyway It is a meh hole, because even in that distant future any kind of mission of that magnitude (but sending space truckers like the Nostromo boys of course) should be the hell of an expensive one.

I always wanted to believe that the company sent colonists there to, sooner or later, try again. Ripley's miraculous rescue and her subsequent report just brought their evil plans forward, or maybe "triggered" WY real past intentions on building a settlement on the Acheron with the only goal of, again sooner or later, try and retrieve the organism once more after their failed attempt 57 years ago. Also, they clearly sent Ripley over there to get rid of her (just in case, she knew too much about the company plans), so the company would kill two birds with one stone.

[Mohawksinspace]

I do not believe the company knew what they were looking for.
The ship detected a signal that caused the company to be curious.
Who knows maybe they actually thought it to be connected to or that it could answer questions about what the
Team of scientists and owners of the company were looking for before they went missing during a privately financed company space mission.

I would imagine that the company would be more interested in tech recovered than an alien encounter.
It just worked out that way and with Ash's descriptions and the ideas of how they could use this possible life form they prob quickly deemed it the new priority 1.


As to the Prometheus I find it hard to believe that such a grand piece of tech and the CEO of the company/his Daughter(mouthpiece) being in direct involvement at different points plus all the money and scientists involved would be impossible to keep quiet to the general public.
Throw in the overriding mission itself and boom.

Amelia Earhart 2.0
Big public mission.
Ship goes missing,
Public is sad moves on and forgets.

[OpenMaw]

Such contrived theories.

If the company wanted an alien after the events of the first film they would have sent a team of specialists to do it.

What it indicates is Ridley's words on the matter, and what Cameron wrote for Aliens to actually be lined up very nicely. The company in Alien didn't know anything too specific. They had a transmission of likely Extraterrestrial origins and they diverted a craft to check it out. Not fully aware of what they were dealing with. Once they lost everything, they probably would rather the secret died instead of risking exposure of some kind. Which is why they don't have any further expeditions there, and decades later the colony is established.

[Parker]

Such contrived theories.

If the company wanted an alien after the events of the first film they would have sent a team of specialists to do it.

What it indicates is Ridley's words on the matter, and what Cameron wrote for Aliens to actually be lined up very nicely. The company in Alien didn't know anything too specific. They had a transmission of likely Extraterrestrial origins and they diverted a craft to check it out. Not fully aware of what they were dealing with. Once they lost everything, they probably would rather the secret died instead of risking exposure of some kind. Which is why they don't have any further expeditions there, and decades later the colony is established.

I agree.  Which means the company could play the same card with the Prometheus fiasco.  Assuming they don't return to LV-223 in a future movie.  Which if they really want to move farther away from Alien in the sequels as Damon has stated, it doesn't make sense to go back to a planet that now has at least one known Xeno on it.