Re: Re-imagining Alien Resurrection

[Local Trouble]

Been playing around with ChatGPT, as I tend to do. I came up with this prologue scene as a way to ease the audience into a re-imagined version of AR that makes the cloning (and separation) of Ripley and the queen embryo feel more earned and tonally consistent with the earlier films.

SCENE 1: Year 1 – Initial Failure

INT. CLONING LAB - NIGHT

The lab hums softly, illuminated by the bluish glow of holographic displays. Human DNA, intertwined with foreign material, spins on a central screen. DR. KELLER stands at the console, her brow furrowed in concentration, fingers tapping rhythmically on the display. DR. CARTER leans back slightly, arms crossed, exhaustion etched on his clean-shaven face, his posture signaling long hours spent in the lab. DR. NOLAN, sharp and attentive, studies the data, his eyes flicking between screens.

DR. KELLER
(Focused, tapping the display, her voice steady but with a hint of frustration)
"Genome separation at 82%. Let's get this thing isolated."

On the screen, the DNA strands begin to collapse as the foreign material overwhelms the human genome. DR. CARTER lets out a long sigh, rubbing his forehead with the back of his hand, leaning in closer to the screen.

DR. CARTER
(Frustrated, leaning forward, scanning the display intently)
"Well, there it goes again. The foreign nucleotide strands' integration is too damn clingy."

DR. NOLAN steps forward, leaning over DR. CARTER's shoulder, eyes narrowing as he studies the display, shaking his head slowly in disapproval.

DR. NOLAN
(Shaking his head, muttering with mild exasperation)
"Worse than last time. It's like pulling gum out of hair."

DR. KELLER straightens up, rubbing the back of her neck with one hand, the weariness momentarily visible on her face before she composes herself. She glances between DR. CARTER and DR. NOLAN, letting out a slow breath as she rolls her shoulders, trying to shake off the tension.

DR. KELLER
(With a resigned tone, rolling her shoulders, her expression softening into determination)
"Alright, reset it. We're not giving up just yet."

DR. CARTER and DR. NOLAN exchange tired but determined looks, nodding slightly before turning back to their stations. Their hands move efficiently over the controls, resetting the equipment with practiced ease, preparing for the next attempt.

FADE OUT.


SCENE 2: Year 5 – Limited Progress

FADE IN.

INT. CLONING LAB - DAY

The lab is brighter now, and the equipment hums softly. DR. KELLER, her hair streaked with gray, adjusts her glasses as she scans the holographic display, her expression focused but calm. DR. CARTER's hair is slightly longer but neatly kept, a sign of the years passed. DR. MOORE, a younger recruit, works beside them, his face lit up with excitement as he glances at the data on the screen.

DR. MOORE
(Grinning, glancing at the screen excitedly)
"Hey, contamination's down to 20%. We're cruising now."

DR. KELLER looks up briefly from her console, raising an eyebrow as she adjusts her glasses. A half-smile tugs at the corner of her mouth, though her expression remains cautiously reserved.

DR. KELLER
(Half-smiling, arms crossing loosely over her chest, her tone measured)
"Yeah, well, don't get cocky. This stuff likes to sneak back in when you least expect it."

The cells divide on the display, but soon dark strands of foreign DNA surge forward, mutating rapidly. DR. NOLAN, now sporting a neatly trimmed beard, frowns deeply as he watches the screen, his fingers running through his beard in frustration.

DR. NOLAN
(Throwing his hands up, voice exasperated)
"Here we go. Foreign sequences, back for round two."

DR. KELLER exhales sharply, crossing her arms over her chest, her posture stiff as she stares at the display, clearly irritated by the setback.

DR. KELLER
(Sighing, her voice firm, eyes still fixed on the screen)
"Abort. We're missing something... again."

DR. MOORE, standing to the side, glances sideways at DR. CARTER, a slight grin forming on his face as he mutters quietly.

DR. MOORE
(Shaking his head, muttering half-jokingly, trying to break the tension)
"Science is 90% disappointment and 10% pure panic, huh?"

DR. CARTER chuckles softly, shaking his head as he turns back to his station, starting the reset process again.

FADE OUT.


SCENE 3: Year 9 – First Phase Success

FADE IN.

INT. CLONING LAB - NIGHT

The lighting is softer, and the lab is quieter, the soft hum of the machines creating a calm atmosphere. DR. KELLER, her gray hair now tied back into a neat bun, stands at the console, eyes fixed on the screen, her posture rigid with focus. DR. CARTER, now sporting a well-trimmed beard, taps the screen with growing excitement. DR. REID, a younger recruit, watches intently from the side, arms crossed but his body slightly tense with anticipation.

DR. CARTER
(Leaning forward, tapping the screen eagerly, his tone filled with growing excitement)
"Foreign contamination's down to 5%. Stable. We might actually have something here."

DR. KELLER stands with her arms crossed, her face calm and unreadable, though her eyes show a faint glimmer of hope as she watches the data scroll past.

DR. KELLER
(Eyes still fixed on the screen, her voice measured, keeping her emotions in check)
"Keep it steady. Let's not celebrate until we have a viable specimen. Seen too many false starts."

The cells on the display continue to grow, dividing smoothly. DR. REID leans back slightly, arms still crossed but a skeptical frown crossing his face.

DR. REID
(Half-sarcastic, glancing between DR. CARTER and DR. KELLER, his tone doubtful)
"Feels like we're finally on the right track. Maybe."

DR. CARTER laughs quietly, his fingers moving fluidly over the controls as he adjusts the settings, his eyes never leaving the screen.

DR. CARTER
(Laughing softly, shaking his head slightly, focused on the task at hand)
"Let's not celebrate just yet. The second we let our guard down, this thing'll fall apart."

DR. REID frowns again, his eyes narrowing at the screen as he considers the options.

DR. REID
(Half-serious, frowning at the screen, thinking)
"We could try laser-mediated mitochondrial filtration and dial up the protein inhibitors. It'll take forever, though."

DR. KELLER nods slowly, her expression resigned but thoughtful.

DR. KELLER
(Nods, resigned but determined)
"Worth a shot."

FADE OUT.


SCENE 4: Year 12 – The Full Specimen Phase Begins

FADE IN.

INT. CLONING LAB - NIGHT

The lab is charged with a cautious energy. DR. KELLER, her hair now fully gray but her expression sharp, stands at the center of the room. DR. CARTER, his beard neatly groomed, works beside her, while DR. EVANS and DR. FISCHER, two younger recruits, stand off to the side, watching eagerly.

DR. CARTER
(Checking the data, glancing at DR. KELLER, his voice steady but filled with anticipation)
"Foreign contamination's holding at 0.2%. We're clear for the next step."

DR. KELLER straightens her posture, taking a deep breath as she steps forward, her eyes scanning the data carefully.

DR. KELLER
(Nods slowly, standing tall, her voice firm but calm)
"Alright, let's kick this into gear. Full specimen cloning. Let's see if this thing holds up."

The cloning tank begins to fill with nutrient fluid as embryonic cells slowly start to take shape. DR. EVANS grins slightly, glancing at DR. FISCHER, his disbelief tempered by excitement.

DR. EVANS
(Grinning slightly, quietly to FISCHER, his tone almost disbelieving)
"Man, if this works, I'm buying everyone a drink."

DR. CARTER, still focused on the data, smirks slightly, not taking his eyes off the screen.

DR. CARTER
(Deadpan, eyes still glued to the data, his tone dry)
"If it works, I'm retiring to some sunny beach before my wife divorces me."

The team watches intently, the atmosphere tense as the specimen continues to grow in the tank.

FADE OUT.


SCENE 5: Year 16 - First Failed Specimens

FADE IN.

INT. CLONING LAB - NIGHT

The mood is heavier now, the lab dimly lit. DR. KELLER stands with her arms crossed, her face set in a neutral expression, watching the tanks filled with malformed specimens. DR. CARTER steps closer to one of the tanks, his neatly trimmed beard showing signs of fatigue. He stares at the failed clone inside, his lips pressed into a tight line.

DR. CARTER
(Sighing, voice low, tired)
"Another one bites the dust. Barely even human."

DR. NOLAN leans back in his chair, arms resting on the back of his head, his body language slouched with frustration. He lets out a deep breath, shaking his head as he stares at the screen.

DR. NOLAN
(Exhaling deeply, his tone resigned but frustrated)
"The foreign DNA just won't back off once we hit full development. It's like a bad ex that won't leave you alone."

DR. FISCHER stands nearby, arms crossed tightly across his chest, his brow furrowed. His face reflects frustration as he watches the deformed clones float aimlessly in the tanks. DR. KELLER steps forward, her face calm but her eyes steely, her voice resolute.

DR. KELLER
(Stepping forward, her tone firm but reassuring)
"We expected this. First steps are always the hardest. The next rounds will be better."

DR. EVANS stands off to the side, his arms crossed, a frustrated scowl crossing his face. He avoids eye contact with the others, muttering under his breath as he stares at the tanks.

DR. EVANS
(Muttering under his breath, voice low, avoiding eye contact)
"Well, they better be."

The team stands in silence for a moment, the weight of the years of setbacks hanging in the air. Each of them glances at the failed specimens, frustration and determination mixing on their faces.

FADE OUT.


SCENE 6: Year 20 - The Eighth Iteration – A Breakthrough

FADE IN.

INT. CLONING LAB - NIGHT

The eighth specimen floats serenely in the cloning tank, bathed in soft light. DR. KELLER, her hair fully gray but her posture commanding, stands at the console, watching intently. DR. CARTER, his beard perfectly groomed, stands beside her, his face betraying a hint of excitement. DR. NOLAN, DR. EVANS, and DR. FISCHER stand nearby, their eyes glued to the tank in quiet anticipation.

DR. CARTER
(Checking the vitals, a slight grin forming on his face)
"Foreign contamination's stable at 0.2%. No mutations. We've actually got a viable specimen."

DR. REID stands slightly behind, his arms crossed but his posture relaxed. He smirks, glancing at the floating form in the tank.

DR. REID
(Half-smirking, his tone casual)
"She's pretty."

DR. CARTER chuckles softly, still focused on the vitals. He doesn't turn away from the console, his tone playful but professional.

DR. CARTER
(Chuckling slightly, his tone dry)
"Try not to fall in love, kid. She's going to be mindless."

DR. REID shrugs slightly, smirking to himself as he watches the specimen.

DR. REID
(Casual, with a light chuckle)
"My kinda woman."

The fluid in the tank drains, and the fully formed body of Ripley is gently lowered to the base. DR. FISCHER's eyes widen slightly as he watches, awe mixing with curiosity. DR. KELLER exhales slowly, her expression softening slightly as she observes the final result of decades of work.

DR. KELLER
(Breathing out, smiling faintly, voice soft with satisfaction)
"This is the one. We finally got it. Human specimen, and our grand prize is still in there."

DR. NOLAN smirks, his arms crossed, a bemused expression on his face as he looks at the specimen, shaking his head slightly.

DR. NOLAN
(Half-joking, shaking his head in disbelief)
"Well, it only took twenty years. No big deal."

DR. FISCHER grins, nudging DR. EVANS with his elbow, his tone playful.

DR. FISCHER
(Grinning, quietly to DR. EVANS)
"You still buying that drink?"

DR. EVANS laughs quietly, nodding in agreement as he glances at the tank.

DR. EVANS
(Laughing quietly, nodding)
"Damn right I am."

DR. KELLER steps forward again, her tone shifting back to business, her face focused as she looks at the team.

DR. KELLER
(Focused, nodding decisively)
"Alright, let's prep for extraction. We've crossed the finish line, but the work's just starting."

The team exchanges glances, relief washing over them as they recognize the success, but each member also acknowledges the weight of what lies ahead. They move with purpose, the quiet intensity of their work reflected in their focused expressions.

FADE OUT.

[solace97]

Can you share the prompts you used to get this? It's wild how the dialogue actually comes across good haha. If you didn't say ChatGPT I would have thought this was written by a human.

[Local Trouble]

I just offered it sexual favors if it'd write me a script.  And then rewrote parts myself.  Then fed the rewrite back to it for analysis and to get another draft with its own modifications.  Rinse, repeat.  Here's another scene:

SCENE: Ripley's Awakening

INT. OPERATING ROOM – NIGHT

The operating room is dimly lit, bathed in the sterile glow of overhead surgical lights. Ripley lies motionless on the operating table, medical instruments still attached to her. The QUEEN EMBRYO has been extracted and is now secured inside a containment unit on the other side of the room, pulsating faintly within its glass. The air feels heavy with tension.

Suddenly, a faint, strained voice rises from the table, cutting through the silence.

RIPLEY
(Weak, mumbling)
"...where...?"

The team of scientists freezes mid-motion. All eyes dart toward Ripley as her eyelids flicker open, her face pale and strained. Her lips tremble as she struggles to form coherent words, her breath shallow and labored.

DR. EVANS
(Unsettled, shocked, instinctively stepping back)
"Keller..."

DR. FISCHER, standing by the containment unit with crossed arms, squints at Ripley, glancing between the others. His usually sarcastic demeanor drops, his face tightening in confusion, an eyebrow twitching as if struggling to comprehend what he's seeing.

DR. FISCHER
(Frowning, skeptical, voice low)
"Did she say something?"

DR. KELLER, standing closest to Ripley, narrows her eyes, curiosity piqued. She leans in slightly, her brow furrowing in concentration as she observes Ripley's struggle to speak. Her expression remains calm, though a flicker of doubt passes across her face.

DR. KELLER
(Intrigued, quietly to herself, almost a whisper)
"That shouldn't be possible."

Ripley shifts slightly on the table, her muscles barely responding, her hand twitching weakly. Her lips move again, her voice barely audible.

RIPLEY
(Murmuring weakly, breath labored)
"...cold..."

The scientists exchange uneasy, confused glances. DR. CARTER, maintaining his composure, wipes a bead of sweat from his forehead while keeping his focus on Ripley's vitals. His gaze never leaves the monitors, his calm professionalism anchoring the team. DR. EVANS, however, glances anxiously between DR. KELLER and DR. NOLAN, his hands fidgeting nervously as he waits for guidance.

DR. CARTER
(Calmly, keeping his focus on Ripley's vitals, voice steady)
"Her heart rate's spiking."

DR. EVANS, already visibly shaken, nods hurriedly. His trembling fingers skim the control panel, his eyes darting between the monitors.

DR. EVANS
(Anxiously, half to himself, eyes wide)
"Neural activity's all over the place!"

The anxiety in his voice heightens the tension. DR. KELLER, her face hardening, steps forward quickly, her commanding presence cutting through the uncertainty in the room.

DR. KELLER
(Commanding, stepping forward with authority)
"Sedate her!"

Moving swiftly, DR. CARTER grabs a syringe and expertly injects it into the IV line attached to Ripley's arm. DR. EVANS watches nervously, his breath quickening as Ripley's eyelids flutter before her body finally relaxes into unconsciousness. The room returns to an eerie calm, the only sound being the quiet beeping of the monitors.

DR. CARTER
(Exhaling with steady relief, his tone calm but firm)
"Alright, she's out."

DR. NOLAN, who has been pacing near the operating table, suddenly stops. He runs a hand through his beard, his wide eyes betraying his disbelief. His voice rises, filled with an almost childlike excitement as he processes what just happened.*

DR. NOLAN
(Excited, voice rising, his body tensing)
"What the f**k was that?!"

Leaning against a counter now, DR. FISCHER crosses his arms, his expression shifting from disbelief to an incredulous grin. His natural sarcasm returns as he tries to lighten the mood.

DR. FISCHER
(Grinning slightly, shaking his head, tone laced with dry humor)
"Guess we missed something in the instruction manual, huh?"

Now more composed, DR. KELLER crosses her arms and steps back from the table, her mind racing as she processes what's unfolding. Her analytical gaze shifts from Ripley to the data readouts. She exchanges a long, silent look with DR. CARTER, both realizing they've uncovered something far beyond their expectations.

DR. KELLER
(Focused, analytical, rubbing her chin, speaking aloud to herself)
"She has cognitive function. But how?"

Still pacing, DR. NOLAN suddenly stops in his tracks, his eyes widening as he gestures toward the monitors. His voice is filled with both urgency and awe.

DR. NOLAN
(Hesitant, almost shouting, his tone incredulous)
"Not just cognitive function! She's exhibiting cortical speech pathway activation! That's Wernicke's and Broca's areas both firing! She remembers how to understand and produce language!"

Standing off to the side, DR. EVANS, overwhelmed by the gravity of the situation, scans the monitors with widened eyes. His hands tremble as he mutters under his breath, barely able to process the implications.

DR. EVANS
(Nervously, half-whispering, voice cracking)
"Bullshit."

DR. NOLAN, not one to back down, takes a step closer to DR. EVANS, his voice rising with excitement.*

DR. NOLAN
(Firmly, gesturing toward Ripley)
"You heard her yourself."

DR. EVANS, still trying to keep himself grounded, shakes his head slightly, his voice unsteady.*

DR. EVANS
(Shaken, voice soft but doubtful)
"I heard... something."

Pointing toward Ripley with increased conviction, DR. NOLAN speaks louder, his eyes wide with excitement.

DR. NOLAN
(Exclaiming, almost triumphant)
"She spoke!"

Frustrated, DR. KELLER cuts through the tension with a sharp look toward DR. NOLAN, silencing him. She turns her focus to the monitors, scanning them intensely as her analytical mind races to make sense of the situation.

DR. KELLER
(Grim, speculative, sharply, tone firm)
"Calm down! It has to be residual neural mapping, maybe synaptic retention. That tiny trace of alien DNA left in her must be influencing memory preservation. Incredible."

The room falls into a heavy silence as the weight of the revelation begins to sink in. The tension builds as each of them tries to comprehend the enormity of what's just happened. DR. CARTER, now calm but clearly concerned, crosses his arms and leans against the operating table, his expression steady but grim.

DR. CARTER
(Sighing, pragmatic, his tone firm but resigned)
"So, what now? We only planned to keep her around long enough to see the post-op effects of surgical extraction on a living host."

Standing nearby, DR. FISCHER gives a half-smile but says nothing. DR. EVANS looks like he's about to break, his gaze flitting nervously between the others, sweat beading on his forehead.

After a moment, DR. KELLER stands in thought, her gaze locked on Ripley's unconscious form. Her expression remains calm, but there's an undeniable heaviness in her eyes. She takes a slow, measured breath, the realization settling in.

DR. KELLER
(Dark, resigned, shaking her head, voice low and measured)
"Plans change. Like it or not, we have a guest now."

The team stands in silence, the enormity of what they've uncovered beginning to weigh heavily on them. DR. KELLER glances once more at Ripley, the implications of their discovery hanging over the room like a dark cloud.

[SiL]

This is, to a word, worse than anything Whedon wrote.

[Local Trouble]

I knew you'd love it.

[The Cruentus]

I would start by removing the cloning aspect and hybrids entirely and just have a movie about what would happen if a company/organization had managed to study the Aliens, and what could happen from it all.

[Local Trouble]

Yeah, but I'm staying true to the premise that they're bringing Ripley back complete with memories and the alien embryo she was carrying.

It's sacred.

[Zazeren]

I feel like alien resurrection would have been better if they had stuck to the original idea of newt being the clone

But replacing call with an android Ripley

Created to placate the clone of newt

complete with memories from the Sulaco's mainframe that recorded Ripley's memories

Cloning newt can simply be motivated by the fact that newt was indeed impregnated

But when she died, the queen left newt's throat and swam to Ripley and plunged itself down her throat

Cloning newt was easier simply because she had more of the queen's DNA

You can even add a cliffhanger of hicks being alive colonial marines style

[Neila]

As for Ripley, they should have left it with Alien 3 and closed the lid.
Alien Ressurection should have been a completely new beginning with new actors.
If Alien Romulus had been put in this place and the script adapted accordingly it would have been far more plausible.

[solace97]

Agreed. After A3 there was really no reason to continue Ripleys story. Shoulda been a fresh start