"I stand by that the best option is to bring back Ripley, Hicks, Newt, and continue on a different tangent from where Aliens left off. 30 years later, I bet people would still love to see this story. Whether it would live up to its expectations is another thing, but it would fill seats..."
No doubt. That is why I enjoy Gibson's script so much. It carried the story in what felt like (at least to me) the natural direction the franchise was heading. The main problem standing in the way is the age of the original actors. But I personally would be fine with casting younger (quality) actors such as Tom Hardy to play hicks, etc. Just don't let Jai Courtney within 1,000 light years of the darn thing. But it is an interesting thought, what could we be looking at once the prequels are over? I never thought we'd get prequels in the first place. Maybe something parallel to the original timeline but still unrelated to the Aliens per-se. Or will the spinoffs begin again? Alien Vs Terminator? AVPVT?
"That f**king triggered my PTSD mate. Prometheus and AC established a much wider scope for this franchise",
Okay, Well, this is just my opinion, but the idea that a single android with a God complex is responsible for the creation of the Alien is not something I'd call universe expanding. It's something a certain amount of people saw coming even before the movie was released, and it's been divisive to say the least. And the space Jockey's existence was already known, so changing them to flawed humanoids only reduced the impact of their existence, not improved it. Again, that's merely my opinion, and no insult is implied.
"why the f**k would you want to regress into nostalgia-pandering garbage?"
Well, like they say, one mans trash is another mans treasure. Some people like the second movie a lot, and for them, the idea of making films more in that particular style sounds fun and exciting. It's just personal preference.
"why not just do a Batman vs Alien cross-over?"
I believe that's already been done. Just not on film. Regardless, I would see that movie. Bruce Wayne with and m4, clearing the halls of the GCPD to rescue Jim from the Hive. The tumbler tearing through the "Gigerfied" parking garage of Gotham General. Yes, I would see that movie, and I am not ashamed.