ADF will also be writing a sequel novel!
QuoteWe are delighted to announce that both the official novelization and official sequel to Alien: Covenant will be written by the accclaimed and multi award-winning Alan Dean Foster. Alan Dean Foster penned the novelizations of Alien, Aliens and Alien .
http://media.titanbooks.com/filebrowser/2016_rightsguide-frankfurt.pdf
Thanks for Felix for the link.
Hmm I wonder what the sequel novel will encompass, I just hope we finally get the prequel movie that explore the space jockey and the derelict with the eggs crashing on LV-426 setting up the events of the original Alien.
That is very strange considering there was no Prometheus novel.
Hmm interesting, which also means that Ridley will be following whatever ADF writes for the Covenant film sequel
This cool news. As excited as I am for the film, I'm also really excited for the effect is will have on the EU, so it's cool that it's starting as soon as the movie hits theaters.
Now we just need a third part the Fire and Stone/Life and Death saga set on Paradise!
I'm a bit confused now. Does this mean there will not be another film after Covenant? I thought Ridley talked about a possible trilogy before we get to the events of Alien. Or does it mean that if there is another film it will have nothing to do with the sequel novel by ADF? ???
My guess is it's just a fun follow-up that Scott will completely ignore, like the many novels that were the "official sequel to Terminator 2" that wound up getting totally ignored when the next films came out.
This is interesting. I wonder if Ridley Scott will read this sequel novel. That or maybe he knows what is going to happen in it.
Ridley in fact have given some ideas to Alan Dean Foster in making the book.
Sorry, I meant to say Ridley might have given Alan Dean Foster ideas for the sequel book. The computer is evil!
I'm pretty sure an official sequel novel would only be approved with Scott's approval. If say what this really indicates is that a solid treatment is already in place for Prometheus 3.
Well this is very exciting. I always liked ADF's novels best.
But I'm curious what the sequel means, and that it is original. Why would we be getting a novel that ostensibly would be the equivalent of the third Prometheus film released before the film starts filming? And if it isn't the story of the third film, then why do it at all? Obviously such a book couldn't have any serious reveals. I'm perplexed, but cautiously optimistic.
In the politest respect I hope that we get the 3rd final film in this prequel trilogy, there one witch ties up the loose ends connecting to Alien, annoyed that if Alien Covenant doesn't perform as well as Fox hope they'd cancel the sequel >:( Further more I hope that Fox and Ridley really aren't considering making a further dozen movies making it a multi part series where a film is split in half like the Hobbit. Just make a good movie and resolve the continuity gap of the series already.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Oct 30, 2016, 04:32:40 PM
Well this is very exciting. I always liked ADF's novels best.
But I'm curious what the sequel means, and that it is original. Why would we be getting a novel that ostensibly would be the equivalent of the third Prometheus film released before the film starts filming? And if it isn't the story of the third film, then why do it at all? Obviously such a book couldn't have any serious reveals. I'm perplexed, but cautiously optimistic.
You said it much better than me!
We are delighted to announce that both the official novelization and official sequel to Alien: Covenant will be written by the acclaimed and multi award-winning Alan Dean Foster. Alan Dean Foster penned the novelizations of Alien, Aliens and Alien 3."And it does say "official sequel" ?? That release date has got to be a mistake, it cannot come out before the film, surely.
I know right? I mean all novelizations come out a few weeks before the film technically, but we can expect a few more years of filming before the film is done, so the idea that the novel adaptation would come out years ahead of the film seems absurd.
It depends on whatever loose ends the film leaves and which path the actual film sequel is going to go. It's not a novelization of Alien: Covenant 2, it's a completely separate entity that will act as a sequel to some aspects of Covenant.
I'm really into this announcement of a sequel novel. That is really, really cool.
I sense that ADF has a strong respect for the Alien series and is actually emotionally invested on some level. If I understand correctly, he backed out of writing some adaptations as he felt the subject matter was rubbish. That makes me very excited for what these new books of his might be. It would be his first original Aliens tale. That has me very excited and I hope he does a great job.
I'm not holding my breath for it, but if he would do some sort of "expanded" adaptation of Prometheus, that would be epic...
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 30, 2016, 08:52:31 AMADF will also be writing a sequel novel!
I'm excited, but at the same time what's the point if there are going to be more movies? I can only guess the sequel films will be about entirely different things to the book.
Quote from: activistfangirl on Oct 30, 2016, 11:22:07 AMThat is very strange considering there was no Prometheus novel.
There was, but it only came out in Japan.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Oct 31, 2016, 07:25:26 AMIf I understand correctly, he backed out of writing some adaptations as he felt the subject matter was rubbish.
Wrong. He turned down
Resurrection because he didn't like how the studio treated him with the third book.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Oct 31, 2016, 09:22:13 AM
I'm excited, but at the same time what's the point if there are going to be more movies? I can only guess the sequel films will be about entirely different things to the book.
It really depends where the film goes. The film may have a couple of loose threads at the end of it - Covenant 2 the film follows one thread (the main thread) and the sequel novel picks up another one?
Great news that there's to be an official novelization of ALIEN:COVENANT...as it will be interesting to see what's contained in it if the movie turns out to be as 'choppy' as PROMETHEUS turned out! ;)
But the announcement of a 'sequel' novelization to the ALIEN:COVENANT novelization is a strange one - if it turns out that they mean he's also writing a version of the follow-up's actual onscreen storyline, then great...although I wouldn't want to spoil the next movie by reading it first!
On the other hand, if it turns out that this follow-up novelization is NOT representative of the storyline in the next movie...then it's effectively a type of 'fan fiction' which will turn out quite differently to the actual next movie. If this is the case, I certainly wouldn't want to read it...in case it turns out to be a far better storyline than the movie turns out to be, thus rendering the movie disappointing for myself! :P
I just wish that the Japanese PROMETHEUS novelization could be made available everywhere, as I'd sure like a read of how it expanded on the movie's events. The only real info. I've ever been able to find about it's contents are listed here, for anyone that's interested - avp.wiki.com/wiki/Prometheus_(novel)
apologies, as I've missed an 'a' from that link! Here's the correct version - avp.wikia.com/wiki/Prometheus_(novel)
I really hope Titan gets that Prometheus book translated at some point...
Great news and nice scoop, gentlemen!
Given that the movie release has been brought forward, will the bring the novelisation forward while keeping the sequel at its proposed releae?
I would imagine so. Depends how far in ADF is.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Nov 24, 2016, 06:04:42 PM
I would imagine so. Depends how far in ADF is.
I thought you were on holiday. :laugh:
So I'm not quite sure what's happening here (going to try and get some clarification) but ADF is writing a prequel novel. Is he doing a prequel novel and a sequel now? This is what I'm gonna try and sort out but -
QuoteThe novelization of ALIEN:COVENANT has been turned in and approved. I am working with Titan Publishing and Fox on what will be an original prequel to the film story. Sorry...no can hint (yet) at what it might contain.
http://www.alandeanfoster.com/
My gut tells me that adf is only doing the covenant novelization and a prequel. The prequel will most likely focus on David and shaws journey to and arrival at paradise.
This has actually been my hunch for a while now.
ADF says he's only doing a prequel and the novelization. I'll emailed Titan on Monday to try and find out more.
Quote from: 426Buddy on Jan 08, 2017, 02:34:16 PM
My gut tells me that adf is only doing the covenant novelization and a prequel. The prequel will most likely focus on David and shaws journey to and arrival at paradise.
This has actually been my hunch for a while now.
But why does their story have to novel form!! >:(
Cheaper than making a movie.
In all honesty, I imagine it's just that it's not a story Ridley wants to tell so someone else is. ADF is the kinda guy that if he feels something needs doing, he'll give it a go.
I wouldn't be surprised if this prequel was a result of ADF reading the script for Covvie and going "we need to tell the story of Shaw and David" or some such. That's me assuming about what the prequel is about.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 08, 2017, 03:19:46 PM
In all honesty, I imagine it's just that it's not a story Ridley wants to tell so someone else is. ADF is the kinda guy that if he feels something needs doing, he'll give it a go.
I wouldn't be surprised if this prequel was a result of ADF reading the script for Covvie and going "we need to tell the story of Shaw and David" or some such. That's me assuming about what the prequel is about.
Hopefully it would be good to give Rapaces Character some closure, and move on.
I'm sure a lot took place in the 10 year gap between Prometheus and covenant so he probably has at least some freedom to create his own story. More so than on his other aliens adaptions anyway.
Honestly, a prequel about David and Shaw on Paradise sounds pretty cool. Looking forward to whatever the novel turns out to be.
Sounds like a good move. I always thought the original idea of Prometheus 2 being 'the adventures of Shaw and David's head' would make a pretty silly movie, anyway.
Really looking forward to this prequel book from ADF now.
Does it make sense to ask him if he might be at all inclined or allowed to write a Prometheus novelization, perhaps expanding on it in some ways? Maybe fleshing out the characters pre-Prometheus? That might give it a valid reason to be made as a novel. I'm thinking along the lines of Orson Scott Card's novelization of the Abyss. It is a much more fleshed-out story. Ideally if there was a release of an Alien: Prometheus extended cut Blu-Ray, it would coincide well with such a release.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Oct 31, 2016, 09:22:13 AM
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Oct 30, 2016, 08:52:31 AMADF will also be writing a sequel novel!
I'm excited, but at the same time what's the point if there are going to be more movies? I can only guess the sequel films will be about entirely different things to the book.
Quote from: activistfangirl on Oct 30, 2016, 11:22:07 AMThat is very strange considering there was no Prometheus novel.
There was, but it only came out in Japan.
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Oct 31, 2016, 07:25:26 AMIf I understand correctly, he backed out of writing some adaptations as he felt the subject matter was rubbish.
Wrong. He turned down Resurrection because he didn't like how the studio treated him with the third book.
Man everybody got dicked around on that production. I wonder what crafts service had to go through?
I heard back from Titan and they can't tell me anything yet.
Good, maybe somone can press him to find out if we will know fate of Shaw!!
I was hoping this would be the case when the news first broke as writing a sequel to the film didn't quite fit. Good stuff!
Am I to understand that this would be the story of what happened at the end of Prometheus until the beginning of Covenant?
That sounds pretty interesting and could go a long way towards answering questions that might never be mentioned again in the movies.
It would be awesome if the story picked up with Shaw and David exploring one of the other facilities to find a ship, and what they might discover.
It's quite logical and a novel is a perfect way to tackle, if it's the case, the history of Shaw and David before Alien Covenant.
I would love some clarity in regards to what David is trying to accomplish. Maybe some
Spoiler
references to the Deacon or to David finding info about the xenos from the Engineers ruins. Maybe we'll find out where the eggs come from, too.
Bit of a let down that Shaw and David's story of the arrival on Paradise to confront the engineers is condensed for Alien Covenant, but at least this novelization will shed some light on these events.
This is good news, I'll definitely be picking this up.
Very excited about this novel indeed. More so than the adaptation.
I wonder if it will be considered canon..
I read Aliens before watching it as a kid. Couldn't put Alan Dean Foster's book down. This will be the first Alien universe book that's not a film that I'd like to read. Having Alan Dean Foster do it makes it the real deal for me.
This is fantastic news. So i guess ADF is doing, what Ridley probs originally planned as Prometheus 2 back when he had that idea, before he changed and went the Covenant route.
Im intrigued now to find out who's writing the Sequel novel
Anyone thought that this 'Covenant' prequel COULD be the 'Prometheus' novelisation we never got?
Don't get me started on that Japanese version...all things point to it not being official...
Quote from: Whiskeybrewer on Jan 12, 2017, 12:06:53 PM
This is fantastic news. So i guess ADF is doing, what Ridley probs originally planned as Prometheus 2 back when he had that idea, before he changed and went the Covenant route.
Im intrigued now to find out who's writing the Sequel novel
ADF is writing the prequel and the adaption, as far as I know there are no plans for a sequel novel.
Not sure about that yet, Buddy. One was definitely on the slate and one is still listed on Amazon without ADF as the author. So we'll see.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jan 12, 2017, 02:59:20 PM
Not sure about that yet, Buddy. One was definitely on the slate and one is still listed on Amazon without ADF as the author. So we'll see.
oooo thats interesting, wonder whats going on there? A prequel, an adaption, and a sequel written by a different author.
I am really excited for this prequel. I wonder if ADF will be using material and ideas that Ridley may have had but decided not to go with.
I am just listening to the audiobook versions of his Alien novelisation. Really loving it. Never read any of them before so once I am do I'll read or listen to the rest.
The media is catching onto this, if not entirely correct...
http://movieweb.com/alien-covenant-2-book-sequel-release-date/
I understand the idea of Prometheus sequel book since Covenant will be released soon. Fair enough. But official sequel book to Alien:Covenant? I don't get it. Obviously (or maybe not?) this book will explore what happens after Covenant. What about the movie then?
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Oct 31, 2016, 09:22:13 AM
Quote from: activistfangirl on Oct 30, 2016, 11:22:07 AMThat is very strange considering there was no Prometheus novel.
There was, but it only came out in Japan.
What's the point of writing Prometheus novelisation only in Japanese?
Ok so if its a sequel, then why?
is it Ridley isnt capable of doing two more or the story in between needs to be told but isnt movie worthy and so we can jump to the third and last movie, the budget Ridley will get depends on the succes of Covenant?
Curiosity
I hope Titan Books releases the prequel novel a week before Covenant comes out? I'd like to know the story of Shaw and David beforehand.
Anybody else feel the same?
Well, logically they would release a prequel book shortly before the movie comes out.
Who knows if they will be logical, though?
For me it make sense to give the audience the back story before they can go into Covenant. I hope they do the logical thing in this situation.
It may or may not be a good solution to release the prequel first. It depends on how the movie is structured. If the premise involves trying to figure out what happened to Shaw, then the prequel may be a spoiler. But I would love to read it going in regardless...
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jan 11, 2017, 09:23:48 PM
Very excited about this novel indeed. More so than the adaptation.
I wonder if it will be considered canon..
I would certainly hope so, if not why would they even bother releasing it.
Looks like the sequel novel has gone from Amazon and been replaced with the prequel.
https://www.amazon.co.uk/Alien-Covenant-Official-Prequel-Blockbuster/dp/1785654764/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&qid=1486052382&sr=8-4&keywords=alien+covenant
I don't think we'll be seeing a sequel novel.
I had a feeling it would only be a prequel.
So did I. I'm not massively surprised. I thought a sequel novel was odd in the first place. A prequel makes more sense judging from the huge time gap between Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Quote from: Nyarlathotep on Jan 20, 2017, 05:10:39 PM
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jan 11, 2017, 09:23:48 PM
Very excited about this novel indeed. More so than the adaptation.
I wonder if it will be considered canon..
I would certainly hope so, if not why would they even bother releasing it.
they've been re-releasing the Bantam novels (and apparently will be re-printing the DH Press novels in the future) and they're supposed to be "non canon" sooooooooo :P
Quote from: Xenomrph on Feb 03, 2017, 03:07:29 AM
Quote from: Nyarlathotep on Jan 20, 2017, 05:10:39 PM
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jan 11, 2017, 09:23:48 PM
Very excited about this novel indeed. More so than the adaptation.
I wonder if it will be considered canon..
I would certainly hope so, if not why would they even bother releasing it.
they've been re-releasing the Bantam novels (and apparently will be re-printing the DH Press novels in the future) and they're supposed to be "non canon" sooooooooo :P
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fmadmikesamerica.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2012%2F08%2FDog-with-bone.jpg&hash=b9d6e0fe19e18f8d307d3141eec9dbba8c8496e8)
The prequel novel would likely be considered canon, yeah.
Just making the point that FOX doesn't necessarily release (or re-release) things because "they're canon", rather they release things because people will buy them.
Fair point. And completely true. However, my understanding is that all the new media being released from now is apparently considered canon and being done with the intent of working cohesively with the rest of the canon.
Well yeah, I don't dispute that.
I do wish they'd "re-canonize" some of the old stuff, like Star Wars has been doing with its old EU.
It appears the prequel novel will be released sometime in the fall instead of when Covenant will be released. Something else to look forward before the release of the film on bluray/dvd. Or maybe it will tie in with the home video release?
September 26, 2017 is the official release date.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 03, 2017, 08:27:33 AM
Fair point. And completely true. However, my understanding is that all the new media being released from now is apparently considered canon and being done with the intent of working cohesively with the rest of the canon.
I hope you are right. IMHO, I'd enjoy consistency from film to film (going forward), rather than writing themselves into a corner with too much EU stuff. [Don't get me wrong, I enjoy it when fans love the movies and they fill in the void left by TPTB, who made money off the EU licenses, too.] That has happened with Star Trek, and may well be why Star Wars jettisoned their EU. From a writing standpoint, it is much harder to sail the seas of good stories if there's a hidden reef of EU on which to ground yourself horribly.
Having said that, official books like
The Alien Vault and the
Weyland Yutani Report are great to see and sell well with this niche market. A nice compromise between establishing the official party line vis-a-vis The Official Backstory and making money off a great franchise (when handled consistently).
I remember the good old days when there was a novelization released before just about every science fiction movie hit the theaters. Confusing, if not entirely based on the script or finished film, but so awesome for context.
(I had a point to make here somewhere...) ;D
September 26th for the PREQUEL novel? What the hell? Why release a prequel story after the main story? You release it shortly before the movie comes out or at least at the same time as the movie.
Four months after? That's called dropping the ball. I hope that date is wrong.
Quote from: BountyHunter on Mar 05, 2017, 11:52:16 PM
September 26th for the PREQUEL novel? What the hell? Why release a prequel story after the main story? You release it shortly before the movie comes out or at least at the same time as the movie.
Four months after? That's called dropping the ball. I hope that date is wrong.
From a business standpoint it makes perfect sense. Fox has a lot of merchandise coming out for
Covenant this May. There's toys from NECA, the official art book, and the movie novelization, and no telling what else. I guess they don't want to flood the marketplace with so much stuff. Four months is a rather long time, but again I'm thinking they want to save it for the dvd/bluray release.
Maybe if the movie turns to be very popular they'll bump the release date up.
Film was supposed to be originally released in August.
I'm guessing the prequel may have come out prior to this, then the novelisation would follow the film. The change in release date may have swapped the writing and release schedules around.
'Terminator: Salvation' had prequel novels that came out well after the movie came out.
Let's not forget River of Pain, an 'Aliens' prequel novel released decades after the movie came out. :P
They probably also want to avoid spoiling elements of the story that will probably be left ambiguous in the film.
Quote from: SM on Mar 06, 2017, 01:40:09 AM
Film was supposed to be originally released in August.
I'm guessing the prequel may have come out prior to this, then the novelisation would follow the film. The change in release date may have swapped the writing and release schedules around.
I didn't know that. Hopefully, that means the studio thinks they have a winner on their hands.
Really excited about this prequel novel. I have not long listened to the audiobook of Alien by ADF and will be listening to Aliens shortly. Really enjoyed the way he writes. Will also be great to find out what happens between Prometheus and Covenant. Assuming that is what it will be covering.
Quote from: SM on Mar 06, 2017, 01:40:09 AM
Film was supposed to be originally released in August.
I'm guessing the prequel may have come out prior to this, then the novelisation would follow the film. The change in release date may have swapped the writing and release schedules around.
I think this is likely to be the real reason.
As long as it gives ADF adequate time to put together a good book, I really don't mind. I'm quite looking forward to it.
Since its a prequel, it could be about David's arrival on the planet... what he was doing up until the events on Alien: Covenant.
That would be cool.
I expect that's what it's going be about. I'm sure ADF had plenty of questions of his own about Shaw and David's time alone when working on the film novelization.
Quote from: Samhain13 on Mar 06, 2017, 02:32:37 PM
Since its a prequel, it could be about David's arrival on the planet... what he was doing up until the events on Alien: Covenant.
That would be cool.
Frankly I'd be surprised if it's anything other than that. I mean, backstory on the prior lives of the Covenant crew is likely not particularly interesting, or at least nowhere near as interesting as what David and Shaw did in between movies.
Quote from: BountyHunter on Mar 05, 2017, 11:52:16 PMSeptember 26th for the PREQUEL novel? What the hell? Why release a prequel story after the main story? You release it shortly before the movie comes out or at least at the same time as the movie.
Four months after? That's called dropping the ball. I hope that date is wrong.
Just because the story's set beforehand, that doesn't mean it wouldn't still make sense to release
after the film.
What if it reveals story details that are meant to be a plot twist in the film?
In fact, the very definition of a prequel is a story that is released later but takes place earlier.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Mar 07, 2017, 04:26:29 AM
Frankly I'd be surprised if it's anything other than that. I mean, backstory on the prior lives of the Covenant crew is likely not particularly interesting, or at least nowhere near as interesting as what David and Shaw did in between movies.
More to the point, backstory on the crew members is something you'd expect to find in the novelisation of the film rather than the prequel (unless those characters are somehow important to the prequel).
According to the Bug Hunt preview, the prequel novel is called Origins.
https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=KZyPDgAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
Thanks to felix for the notice.
As good a title as any, I suppose. Little generic though.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Apr 05, 2017, 09:00:06 AM
As good a title as any, I suppose. Little generic though.
It just reeks of downright laziness if you ask me.
Yeah, that's pretty weak. I'd wager the book was named by a Fox suit, and not by ADF.
May 1st update from ADF's website.
QuoteAs for ALIEN:ORIGINS, the original novel that fits chronologically between PROMETHEUS and AC, in it I hope to have been able to have added a tiny bit to the canon. As always, I work as a combination author and fan, and I think (I hope) that comes through in the finished work.
When is it released?
September time.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on May 10, 2017, 09:57:02 AM
May 1st update from ADF's website.
QuoteAs for ALIEN:ORIGINS, the original novel that fits chronologically between PROMETHEUS and AC, in it I hope to have been able to have added a tiny bit to the canon. As always, I work as a combination author and fan, and I think (I hope) that comes through in the finished work.
David found xenomorph recipe ?
Maybe. Most likely
Spoiler
what exactly happened to Shaw.
I expect that is what to the novel will focus around. Hopefully we'll get a bigger picture of what David mentioned in the Crossing too and find out what lead to his actions.
I'm holding out hope Foster will drop some hints that David may actually have re-created the Aliens from designs left behind by the Engineers.
Quote from: EJA on May 12, 2017, 08:34:46 AM
I'm holding out hope Foster will drop some hints that David may actually have re-created the Aliens from designs left behind by the Engineers.
YES YES YES YES YES
Quote from: EJA on May 12, 2017, 08:34:46 AM
I'm holding out hope Foster will drop some hints that David may actually have re-created the Aliens from designs left behind by the Engineers.
If Ridley is not involved in any way with the novels and probably isn't even aware of them being made... Foster could fix any of the nonsense from Covenant, we might actually get some answers.
I hope we get more info on the engineers.
i got mine on pre-order the day it was announced :D im super excited to read it... currently reading thru "River of Pain" right now, bout halfway thru it (i bought all 3 books at once so i have some reading left to do lol). set the book down last night right before Newts parents are assigned to go check out the crashed Engineers ship.
Quote from: EJA on May 12, 2017, 08:34:46 AM
I'm holding out hope Foster will drop some hints that David may actually have re-created the Aliens from designs left behind by the Engineers.
He might just do that in the Covenant novelization as well, which is out next week.
ADF is the kind of person who will ask the same questions we do. But he's in a position to try and come up with "official" answers so I expect we'll see some nice expansion on the movie.
Just got an email from Amazon regarding the Alan Dean Foster original prequel novel to Alien Covenant (ALIEN:ORIGINS I think the title) which had a pretty firm September publishing date. Now seems that date has been dropped and they have no idea of a new date. Got the "Currently unavailable -we don't know when or if this item will be back in stock" message. Wondering if this due to the wider failure of the film? Do the publishers now believe there isn't the interest/market or have Fox nixed Ridley's Alien universe-building ambitions? Hopefully just a publisher delay?
I hope not. I was really looking forward to that.
I haven't gotten one. It still says the release date is 9/26/17 on the Amazon website.
It might just be a glitch. Mine says it's still available for a September 26th release as well.
If it's not just a glitch it could be that the story might be integrated into Awakening. One can dream.
Amazon US still has it listed for September release. God, I hope this doesn't get pulled.
I've dropped Titan an email to find out. Hopefully it's not been pulled. Was really counting on ADF to fill in more gaps.
yes, please keep us up to date if you hear anything Hicksy-poo!
......hicksy......poo.....? ??? ::) :'(
I've got a bad feeling about this.
Quote from: DorkiDori on Jun 05, 2017, 08:20:19 PM
yes, please keep us up to date if you hear anything Hicksy-poo!
Quote from: BonesawT101 on Jun 05, 2017, 08:29:01 PM
......hicksy......poo.....? ??? ::) :'(
This just made my night. :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh: :laugh:
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jun 05, 2017, 08:29:49 PM
I've got a bad feeling about this.
you always say that Ultramoprh... you always say i gotta bad feeling about this drop!
Quote from: DorkiDori on Jun 05, 2017, 09:27:31 PM
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jun 05, 2017, 08:29:49 PM
I've got a bad feeling about this.
you always say that Ultramoprh... you always say i gotta bad feeling about this drop!
:D :laugh:
Nothing yet. Will let you know as soon as I do.
They can't offer an update soon but they hope to clarify whatever is happening soon.
That's not encouraging. :-[
No, that does smell a little of it being scrapped.
That's odd. Was hoping to pick this up. Wishful thought, would be great if they pulled it since they'll shoot some sequences from the book for Awakening, though seeing how Covenant more or less bombed, I'm not holding my breath.
Yeah im not expecting another alien film for a long time sadly. I'm thinking this will be Scotts last alien film as well (too bad because i liked covenant and i think prometheus and covenant make a nice pair). When we do get another alien film it will probably be a remake.
It's not cancelled. Not sure what happened. New pre-order listing with synopsis should be up soon. I can't share the synopsis yet but it's not exactly what I'd been expecting.
Huh.
About the Covenant crew instead of Shaw and David?
Good to hear it's still on, regardless.
Pretty much. I maybe able to share this, just checking.
Will be sharing it to the website shortly. Synopsis is here -
QuoteAs the colony ship Covenant prepares for launch, and the final members of the crew are chosen, a series of violent events reveal a conspiracy to sabotage the launch. Yet the perpetrators remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy. The threat reaches all the way up to Hideo Yutani—the head of the newly merged Weyland-Yutani Corporation—when his daughter is kidnapped. Is the conspiracy the product of corporate espionage, or is it something even more sinister?
While Captain Jacob Branson and his wife Daniels prepare the ship, Security chief Dan Lopé signs a key member of his team, and together they seek to stop the technologically advanced saboteurs before anyone else is killed, and the ship itself is destroyed in orbit.
I'm recording our interview with ADF on Thursday for release ASAP and Titan should be sending over the cover art for this when they've settled on a final one.
Really didn't see that one coming.
Not what I was expecting at all, yet I'm still quite intrigued with the direction. Hopefully we'll still see bits of Shaw and David in there too.
why is everything associated with this movie one giant disappointment in the end?!?!? :(
I don't know about that. Like Hicks said it could still touch on Shaw and David. Maybe Foster just couldn't write an entire book about two people going from A to B on a spaceship. Maybe that's a side-plot to this main story.
Sounds verrrrrry interesting...
Hi there
I visit this side now for several years. Now I'd like to place question.
Is it possible, the reason why the book is about the Covenant-Crew is because Ridley Scott like go tell Shaws and Davids story by him self?
I think the rumors i read about the sequels of Prometheus was something like that Scott Jumped to the Alien part because of the fans and will return to the Story which started by Prometheus afterwards. I also saw some suggestions in several youtube videos about Alien Covenant in the last few days.
Are here some hard facts about it? Ok, Ridley and hard facts... :)
By the way thanks for the tip with the Covenant Novel. ;)
This is....something. Not what I expected at all
WTF?
Hmmm, while this may end up a diverting enough read, it doesn't sound very ALIEN-y at all really. And it sure sounds like we're not about to get any of the questions involving the 'Engineers' and their 'black goo' answered either.
The many loose ends thrown up by Ridley's latest 2 movies in the franchise will remain a mystery, it seems... :-\
This sounds really good!
I had hoped that this would be a clever way of novelizing Prometheus with some extra fun David Shaw stuff. This doesn't sound very alieny at all. I would be surprised if any Aliens or Engineers were in this at all. So what is an alien book without aliens? Anyway, I really like Alan Dean Foster's novels, so hopefully this delivers...
This really bums me out! I was "hoping" it would be about David and Shaw. That would at least redeem covenant...... I really do no not give a shit about the covenant crew.......... God they are f**king this all up!
That sounds interesting, but not at all what I wanted.
uhhh no.. So, we'll never know what happened those ten years in Paradise and no closure for Dr. Shaw. This synopsis sounds like something they should have explored in Awakening in film since besides AVP films, the Yutani aspect of the company hasn't been explored. Sounds interesting, though not I wanted.
Wow, that doesn't sound interesting. Like, at all.
Like many others, I was hoping for a story about David and Shaw, not something that sounds as though it has no xenos, no engineers, no...anything, really.
My interest in this prequel novel just plummeted.
... a conspiracy story that just happens to be set in the same universe as Alien? The probability of me spending money on this just went from 75% to 0%
maybe Yutani was kidnapped and put into cryo sleep somewhere hidden on the Covenant.
So, is this like a corporate espionage thing?
Seems to be a sign that the full details of David and Shaw may be under lock and key from the next film from whatever Ridley and co. have written; and Fox is aware of.
If that's the case, I think it's a positive.
So I guess we won't ever find out about the time aboard the juggernaut when David "learned of their ways" and everything else that happened with him and Shaw leading up to A:C?
I don't know why I bother with this franchise anymore. The irony is I just gave Fox my money to see the movie again literally an hour ago.
I guess they succeeded in sabotaging Branson's cryo chamber, and no one even brought up the previous attempt of this "saboteur" during the event in AC? Lope just said to himself, "Ah well, just a fire and burnt corpse, nothing fishy here he he!? Hey who wants to go peer into some Alien eggs or do lines of motes with me?"
it sounds like something totally unrelated to the movies or even the Alien universe
Quote from: Denton Smalls on Jun 07, 2017, 07:34:51 PM
So I guess we won't ever find out about the time aboard the juggernaut when David "learned of their ways" and everything else that happened with him and Shaw leading up to A:C?
it was bad enough already that they could not bother to connect Prometheus with Covenant in film form, and now we are getting a totally unrelated to anything novel, it makes no sense
I would have rather have prequel story about Peter Wetland and David set on Earth over Covenant crew and their mystery saboteur
lol
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jun 07, 2017, 02:57:07 PM
Pretty much. I maybe able to share this, just checking.
Will be sharing it to the website shortly. Synopsis is here -
QuoteAs the colony ship Covenant prepares for launch, and the final members of the crew are chosen, a series of violent events reveal a conspiracy to sabotage the launch. Yet the perpetrators remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy. The threat reaches all the way up to Hideo Yutani—the head of the newly merged Weyland-Yutani Corporation—when his daughter is kidnapped. Is the conspiracy the product of corporate espionage, or is it something even more sinister?
While Captain Jacob Branson and his wife Daniels prepare the ship, Security chief Dan Lopé signs a key member of his team, and together they seek to stop the technologically advanced saboteurs before anyone else is killed, and the ship itself is destroyed in orbit.
I'm recording our interview with ADF on Thursday for release ASAP and Titan should be sending over the cover art for this when they've settled on a final one.
ahhh..
So that interesting weird horror drama with Shaw trying to escape the clutches of a paranoid psychotic ex-slave...
(that pretty much all of us were "thirsting" for)
...was set aside for some boring corporate espionage and sabotage angle
that wont involve the actual ALIENS or even the Engineers and Neomorphs and black goo in any direct way...
ok.
Good job,
Allan Dean Foster, you creative genius, you.
:laugh:
I like Allen Dean Foster, but I think I'm going to hold off buying this one until reviews come out. I don't mind different directions, but there better be a real clever HOLY SHIT twist.
Sounds like "Alien" probably shouldn't be in the title. Just call it "Covenant" or "Covenant: something".
Quote from: necrotard on Jun 07, 2017, 09:08:46 PM
Sounds like "Alien" probably shouldn't be in the title. Just call it "Covenant" or "Covenant: something".
That's how I feel about it. There will probably have nothing related to any of the non-human creatures in the franchise.
I'm not seeing much point in this novel already.
It has to be tied to the property.
I've lost count of the times I've seen people ask for stuff just about the Company, stuff just set in the universe with no Aliens.
Well, here it is and its 'Well I'm not buying this'.
Somebody needs to find those guys who wanted stuff with no Aliens in.
Quote from: SM on Jun 07, 2017, 09:17:54 PM
Somebody needs to find those guys who wanted stuff with no Aliens in.
Those 3 fellas are gonna buy all copies of this book.
Gonna put it right on top of the f**king charts.
Quote from: SM on Jun 07, 2017, 09:17:54 PMI've lost count of the times I've seen people ask for stuff just about the Company, stuff just set in the universe with no Aliens.
Well, here it is and its 'Well I'm not buying this'.
I'm one of those who'd like some stories without the actual Alien in, and I'm quite looking forward to giving this a go. I'm just thrown because this certainly isn't what I expected the book to be about.
At this point i'd prefer a proper big ass graphic novel about Shaw and David's adventures in Paradise.
art by Kent Williams and written by Brian Wood
Go fund THAT, Dark Horse.
Agreed. A graphic novel showing David and Shaw in the ship post Prometheus and pre Covenant would be ideal. I can't believe that's not the story we're getting with this book. Inane.
"You've seen 'em die... now, see 'em in an adventure you KNOW they're gonna survive!" :D
If not for ADF, I'd definitely give this a miss.
Quote from: Richman678 on Jun 07, 2017, 07:00:53 PM
maybe Yutani was kidnapped and put into cryo sleep somewhere hidden on the Covenant.
Hahahaha!!!
Oh god. This could be a thing now. ???
"Agreed. A graphic novel showing David and Shaw in the ship post Prometheus and pre Covenant would be ideal. I can't believe that's not the story we're getting with this book. Inane."
I'd draw this. And write it if they let me.
Quote from: tyrannosaurusjones on Jun 07, 2017, 11:07:05 PM
"Agreed. A graphic novel showing David and Shaw in the ship post Prometheus and pre Covenant would be ideal. I can't believe that's not the story we're getting with this book. Inane."
I'd draw this. And write it if they let me.
And we would love you for it lol!
Ive emailed dark horse numerous times begging them to get you on another project ;D
Quote from: Mr. Clemens on Jun 07, 2017, 09:55:59 PM
"You've seen 'em die... now, see 'em in an adventure you KNOW they're gonna survive!" :D
If not for ADF, I'd definitely give this a miss.
"Answers Will Be Questioned." :laugh:
Quote from: tyrannosaurusjones on Jun 07, 2017, 11:07:05 PM
"Agreed. A graphic novel showing David and Shaw in the ship post Prometheus and pre Covenant would be ideal. I can't believe that's not the story we're getting with this book. Inane."
I'd draw this. And write it if they let me.
Do a pitch to DarkHorse.
Go full on artsy fartsy with it.
maybe some "Eyes without a face"/"the Skin i live in" inspirations.
Godspeed, mah son.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fi.imgur.com%2FDFj6JgA.gif&hash=d817730af33f3043e56e464a20e0c02431dc2186)
Quote from: SM on Jun 07, 2017, 09:17:54 PM
It has to be tied to the property.
I've lost count of the times I've seen people ask for stuff just about the Company, stuff just set in the universe with no Aliens.
Well, here it is and its 'Well I'm not buying this'.
Somebody needs to find those guys who wanted stuff with no Aliens in.
on standalone novel ? Yes .
on movie prequel novel ? No.
Why? It's about Company stuff.
Hmm interesting, much rather the novel center on David and Shaw's arrival to paradise and the experiments he delves in to create the eggs.
Not sure how many of you know the youtuber celebrity Nostalgia Critic, don't know if his style of comedy is your cuppa tea however he's done a review for Alien vs Predator 2004 in which he gives a balanced reviews of its good points as well as its flaws. A fascinating perspective to see him be critical but fair.
Well Covenant movies make me/people think prequel novel will be about david and shawn during 10 years not company complex story.
I don't think that anyone official ever said the novel would be about David and Shaw.
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 01:49:38 AM
I don't think that anyone official ever said the novel would be about David and Shaw.
No, but it simply would make SENSE!!! But with anything Covenant related, throw 'sense' in the garbage, get the large container of 'disapointment' out of the old spice cabinet and pour on liberal amounts!!!
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 01:49:38 AM
I don't think that anyone official ever said the novel would be about David and Shaw.
We felt that was implied. I mean it's a prequel of Alien: Covenant, there is a gap between Prometheus and Covenant so thats where I was hoping this novel would focus on. And since its an alien novel I thought it would focus on alien/engineer related stuff which would be about David since he is doing his thing on the engineers planet.
But haven't there been stories about this Awakening thing that would feature David and Shaw? Or was that mooted to be a Covenant sequel and not a prequel?
Maybe David told all there was to tell in the film.
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 02:28:58 AM
But haven't there been stories about this Awakening thing that would feature David and Shaw? Or was that mooted to be a Covenant sequel and not a prequel?
I heard about that ALIEN:Awakening thing, first I saw it being said to be a prequel to Alien:Covenant, whenever it was referring to this novel or some movie prequel I don't know, then others said it was the name of the sequel to Covenant and that the script was already on works, in the end... just rumors.
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 02:28:58 AM
Maybe David told all there was to tell in the film.
Well, that would be disappointing, but whatever.
I'm disappointed (and shocked) that this isn't a Shaw and David story but I was also a tad disappointed the film didn't get into the company angle a bit more (namely the merger) so I'm definitely willing to roll with this if it's done well.
Still hope Shaw and David's tale is still told some day though. Maybe as a comic.
Awakening is Alien 5 Name Title.
Oh wonderful. Prequel to the prequels sequel.
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 02:28:58 AM
But haven't there been stories about this Awakening thing that would feature David and Shaw? Or was that mooted to be a Covenant sequel and not a prequel?
No-one really knows, I'm afraid. We've not had any straight forward information on what Awakening is yet.
I can understand why folk are disappointed - we expected the novel to fill in the gaps about David and Shaw. Maybe they still will? Who knows. But it's ADF and he's writing something different in the Alien-verse. I'm 100% giving it a go.
I'm guessing this book constitutes the "unique original material... an unusual approach that's never been tried before in a novelization" that Foster was talking about back when the novelisation proper was announced? Because nothing in the actual novelisation really fits that bill.
i'm disappointed it's not david and shaw centric, but i'm still interested and going to pick it up
Sweet synopsis! Absolutely nothing in it for me to give any thought to. I hated Daniels and I'm certainly not eager to learn about any sabotage that in the end didn't come to fruition.
It can only get worse by having David's and Shaw's story in it via small but highly unsatisfying little chapters loosely connected to the main story.
This way they can argue that their journey we all want to know so much more about has been discussed already and there is absolutely no need to get back to this and be done with Covenant, if there shouldn't be a sequel due to the mediocre box office earnings.
can i ask why you hated daniels? i wasn't fond of the actress, but didn't hate the character
Will Hideo Yutani Mention his great grandmonther ? that she was acquire something from colorado?
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jun 07, 2017, 02:57:07 PM
Pretty much. I maybe able to share this, just checking.
Will be sharing it to the website shortly. Synopsis is here -
QuoteAs the colony ship Covenant prepares for launch, and the final members of the crew are chosen, a series of violent events reveal a conspiracy to sabotage the launch. Yet the perpetrators remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy. The threat reaches all the way up to Hideo Yutani—the head of the newly merged Weyland-Yutani Corporation—when his daughter is kidnapped. Is the conspiracy the product of corporate espionage, or is it something even more sinister?
While Captain Jacob Branson and his wife Daniels prepare the ship, Security chief Dan Lopé signs a key member of his team, and together they seek to stop the technologically advanced saboteurs before anyone else is killed, and the ship itself is destroyed in orbit.
I'm recording our interview with ADF on Thursday for release ASAP and Titan should be sending over the cover art for this when they've settled on a final one.
Sounds interesting. Good to be getting some backstory on Daniels and Branson, the Covenant launch and Yutani. I'll be reading this for sure.
Would like to know what happened with Shaw and David as well, but there are enough clues in the movie, they don't need to spell it out.
well that was a disappointment -why would anyone want to read the back story of characters nobody were even interested in the first place.
Was really looking forward to this after reading the Covenant novel -but I'll pass on this :-
Don't much care for the backstory on the characters, but backstory/origins on WY (and perhaps hints about just how much the company knows) is something that has intrigued me for a long time. Wish it wasn't a generic kidnapping plot (or so it seems) but I'm in just for the tidbits on the company and the corporate espionage.
Still bummed that this isn't a Shaw/David but at least that means that that story remains open to being told in a more visual form (if not a film, perhaps a comic/graphic novel).
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jun 08, 2017, 07:53:01 AM
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 02:28:58 AM
But haven't there been stories about this Awakening thing that would feature David and Shaw? Or was that mooted to be a Covenant sequel and not a prequel?
No-one really knows, I'm afraid. We've not had any straight forward information on what Awakening is yet.
Scott originally said that the next film would be a prequel to Alien: Covenant called Awakening. A lot of people assumed that the story would naturally follow the events with David and Shaw before the Covenant arrived. In a later interview Riddles said that Awakening was to have been the title of Blomkamp's stalled project.
So yeah, lots of confusion regarding this.
I'm still looking forward to this! I liked the crew of the Covenant so I think I'll enjoy this story.
It sounds like it might be the "Cyberantics" of a new generation...
Oh this is disappointing. I guess we will never know what exactly happened to Shaw before Covenant, then.
Nah I'm sure we will. I mean Covenant already gives us enough to know, but I understand the desire to have it visualized/explained more explicitly.
It is a story that might be better suited for a comic/graphic novel, anyways, where we can really see everything weird and strange that transpires in their voyage.
Quote from: Evanus on Jun 08, 2017, 11:18:26 PM
Oh this is disappointing. I guess we will never know what exactly happened to Shaw before Covenant, then.
They flew to Planet 4 then David killed her.
I prefer this angle. Shaw's story deserves to end on the big screen.
I'm always interested in more company aspects anyway. It's a waste of potential to always exhibit WY as some faceless evil operating behind the scenes when they could be so much more.
Quote from: SM on Jun 08, 2017, 11:51:39 PM
Quote from: Evanus on Jun 08, 2017, 11:18:26 PM
Oh this is disappointing. I guess we will never know what exactly happened to Shaw before Covenant, then.
They flew to Planet 4 then David killed her.
True. :).
But I want to know
exactly what happened. What they gave us in the film isn't enough for me.
I'm sure they could make a whole movie out of it - but if they don't, no big deal.
Lol what a shit xD they should gave us more about Shaw and David.
Ridley probably has them labeled off limits.
Covenant started with a flashback. The next potential film could too. David's dream, perhaps, on board the Covenant.
I love Alan Dean Foster's novels and I'm very excited and anxious to read what he has done with
this Covenant prequel novel. I never thought I'd say this but I have really lost faith in Ridley and the universe.
He keeps making major mistake after major mistake and worse yet, flip flopping.
Nothing he says can be trusted anymore it seems.
When he shot PROMETHEUS, he said he doesn't think he'll ever not shoot in 3D again and that it opens
up even dialog scenes and makes them better. When he shot PROMETHEUS, he had the sense to see
that the CGI Fifield looked like a cartoon so he opted for the real version. He also has constantly said that
CGI looks fake, explosions are too big to be believed, etc. - So what does he do?!?!
He shoots ALIEN COVENANT in 2D and with barely any actualy real creature f/x, just a bunch of cartoon
creatures hopping and dancing their way through another cgi shitfest.
SO... I am very much hoping to at least read a decent novel and get some of the old flavoring back
on my taste buds of what's actually good about the series. It seems to me that almost everyone but
Ridley is an ALIEN fan. Ridley, however, seems like he's trying to erase his legacy. Everything cool
about ALIEN he runs from, fearing repeating himself or whatever, instead of just doing what works.
Quote from: MnTd on Jun 09, 2017, 02:29:28 PM
I love Alan Dean Foster's novels and I'm very excited and anxious to read what he has done with
this Covenant prequel novel. I never thought I'd say this but I have really lost faith in Ridley and the universe.
He keeps making major mistake after major mistake and worse yet, flip flopping.
Nothing he says can be trusted anymore it seems.
When he shot PROMETHEUS, he said he doesn't think he'll ever not shoot in 3D again and that it opens
up even dialog scenes and makes them better. When he shot PROMETHEUS, he had the sense to see
that the CGI Fifield looked like a cartoon so he opted for the real version. He also has constantly said that
CGI looks fake, explosions are too big to be believed, etc. - So what does he do?!?!
He shoots ALIEN COVENANT in 2D and with barely any actualy real creature f/x, just a bunch of cartoon
creatures hopping and dancing their way through another cgi shitfest.
SO... I am very much hoping to at least read a decent novel and get some of the old flavoring back
on my taste buds of what's actually good about the series. It seems to me that almost everyone but
Ridley is an ALIEN fan. Ridley, however, seems like he's trying to erase his legacy. Everything cool
about ALIEN he runs from, fearing repeating himself or whatever, instead of just doing what works.
Everything cool about Alien, is Aliens. Ridley Scott is running away from that as if it were a. Xenomorph chasing him. He is all about securing his own legacy at this point. He already stated that the only films he likes in the series are his own. He doesn't seem to care about someone else's work even if it was superb. I get the sense that he is on the verge of throwing James Cameron's film under the bus. Marbles. Missing. Presumed lost.
Oh wow totally forgot about the literature forum... hi guys. Short of it all, I take Awaking is saying "Engineers on Earth".
Quote from: whiterabbit on Jun 09, 2017, 09:51:05 PM
Oh wow totally forgot about the literature forum... hi guys. Short of it all, I take Awaking is saying "Engineers on Earth".
Maybe. I'll need an interesting twist like that to make me really care at this point. I'll still buy it, but I'm not enthusiastic anymore. Why call it Origins? Was it originally supposed to be about David and Shaw but Ridley Alien 5-ed it and said no?
Well, I'll still give it a shot. Not the most interesting characters or synopsis, But maybe he can make something thrilling out of it.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Jun 09, 2017, 10:28:26 PM
Quote from: whiterabbit on Jun 09, 2017, 09:51:05 PM
Oh wow totally forgot about the literature forum... hi guys. Short of it all, I take Awaking is saying "Engineers on Earth".
Maybe. I'll need an interesting twist like that to make me really care at this point. I'll still buy it, but I'm not enthusiastic anymore. Why call it Origins? Was it originally supposed to be about David and Shaw but Ridley Alien 5-ed it and said no?
'Origin' of things that happened before the Covenant leaves Earth.
This new synopsis is really underwelming. Inwas really hoping for more Shaw and David
Quote from: awalsh74 on Jun 11, 2017, 06:55:10 AM
This new synopsis is really underwelming. Inwas really hoping for more Shaw and David
Ditto. This summary sounds about as exciting as the "origins" of how the Nostromo crew got assigned to the Nostromo.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jun 11, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
Quote from: awalsh74 on Jun 11, 2017, 06:55:10 AM
This new synopsis is really underwelming. Inwas really hoping for more Shaw and David
Ditto. This summary sounds about as exciting as the "origins" of how the Nostromo crew got assigned to the Nostromo.
That's an awesome idea!! Be hilarious to read about Parker going for drinks with Brett and hearing Ridley say goodbye to Amanda!
It could end with Ripley waving out the window:
"I'll be home for your eleventh birthdaaaaaaay!"
Quote from: Mr. Clemens on Jun 11, 2017, 02:03:31 PM
It could end with Ripley waving out the window:
"I'll be home for your eleventh birthdaaaaaaay!"
;D :D :laugh:
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jun 11, 2017, 12:13:39 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jun 11, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
Quote from: awalsh74 on Jun 11, 2017, 06:55:10 AM
This new synopsis is really underwelming. Inwas really hoping for more Shaw and David
Ditto. This summary sounds about as exciting as the "origins" of how the Nostromo crew got assigned to the Nostromo.
That's an awesome idea!! Be hilarious to read about Parker going for drinks with Brett and hearing Ridley say goodbye to Amanda!
Since apparently this Covenant prequel novel can be fully realized, I wouldn't be surprised if a book like that got published. If you want "conflict" in the plot, you can explore how/why Ash was swapped onto the crew at the last minute, the formation of Special Order 937, etc.
A "prequel" novel I actually would like to see is one that explores the Ripley cloning project on the Auriga leading up to 'Alien Resurrection'. The genesis of the project, the 7 failed attempts (and whatever they took out of Ripley 7 that evidently wasn't good enough), I think there's a lot of room there for an interesting story and a good number of memorable characters (Wren, Gedimen, Perez).
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jun 11, 2017, 07:15:12 PM
Quote from: Perfect-Organism on Jun 11, 2017, 12:13:39 PM
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jun 11, 2017, 07:32:42 AM
Quote from: awalsh74 on Jun 11, 2017, 06:55:10 AM
This new synopsis is really underwelming. Inwas really hoping for more Shaw and David
Ditto. This summary sounds about as exciting as the "origins" of how the Nostromo crew got assigned to the Nostromo.
That's an awesome idea!! Be hilarious to read about Parker going for drinks with Brett and hearing Ridley say goodbye to Amanda!
Since apparently this Covenant prequel novel can be fully realized, I wouldn't be surprised if a book like that got published. If you want "conflict" in the plot, you can explore how/why Ash was swapped onto the crew at the last minute, the formation of Special Order 937, etc.
A "prequel" novel I actually would like to see is one that explores the Ripley cloning project on the Auriga leading up to 'Alien Resurrection'. The genesis of the project, the 7 failed attempts (and whatever they took out of Ripley 7 that evidently wasn't good enough), I think there's a lot of room there for an interesting story and a good number of memorable characters (Wren, Gedimen, Perez).
Personally I think they should use their time and money on new material that could expand the franchise and that would involve the creatures more, most prequels don't tend to add much since we already know how it will end and sometimes end up retconing stuff, still a story involving the 10 years of David on that planet would have been much better, we know how it ends but we could have gotten much more info on the aliens and the engineers...
While the synopsis may seem underwhelming to some, I really think fans of the Alien Universe in general should give it a chance. This is most likely a gateway product, safely attatched to the movie yet going in unexpected directions, and may lead to us getting more content outside the usual genre that could greatly expand the universe.
With Aliens: Bughunt we've seen that there are writers out there with a desire to use this universe as a canvas for stories. Personally I'd like to see more in that vein and for that to happen we need to show the suits and ties that there are fans who will buy into things that aren't quite as "Alien" as we may be used to. Also, A D Foster deserves some credit. I'm sure he'll make the best of the subject matter. :D
I wonder if there will be any Aliens in this novel?
Quote from: BonesawT101 on Jun 14, 2017, 11:05:40 PM
I wonder if there will be any Aliens in this novel?
How could there be?
Quote from: Kurai on Jun 14, 2017, 09:55:52 PM
While the synopsis may seem underwhelming to some, I really think fans of the Alien Universe in general should give it a chance. This is most likely a gateway product, safely attatched to the movie yet going in unexpected directions, and may lead to us getting more content outside the usual genre that could greatly expand the universe.
With Aliens: Bughunt we've seen that there are writers out there with a desire to use this universe as a canvas for stories. Personally I'd like to see more in that vein and for that to happen we need to show the suits and ties that there are fans who will buy into things that aren't quite as "Alien" as we may be used to. Also, A D Foster deserves some credit. I'm sure he'll make the best of the subject matter. :D
Well yeah, at this stage we're
literally judging a book by its cover. :P
It's like the initial reactions to 'Alien: Out of the Shadows' before it came out. That plot synopsis really didn't do the book any favors, even if the end product made the best of what the author was given.
Quote from: Xenomrph on Jun 18, 2017, 03:52:08 AM
Quote from: BonesawT101 on Jun 14, 2017, 11:05:40 PM
I wonder if there will be any Aliens in this novel?
How could there be?
They could do the same as the recent comics, just pull some ship or planet with aliens in out of nowhere. Wouldn't be the first time they did that in EU, but in this case would probably be the goo creatures instead of aliens. Also the novel is a prequel to the other novel, not the movie, so the aliens weren't created by David in this continuity.
It's a prequel to the film.
Anybody else suspecting some Blade Runner elements to make an appearance?
No.
Check out the Upcoming Releases page.
https://nook.barnesandnoble.com/products/9781783299089/sample?sourceEan=9781783299072
Looks like this prequel book has been delayed to 2018.
That link leads to Omnibus vol 4. Which is cool 'cos I didn't know it was out.
Amazon list Origins release date as September 26.
I know. But click to the page that shows the Upcoming Releases. Origin is now slated for 2018.
Couldn't find any Upcoming Releases link.
I found this (https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/alien-titan-books/1125532118?ean=9781785654763) which says September 26 2017.
Quote from: SM on Jul 04, 2017, 06:53:35 AMCouldn't find any Upcoming Releases link.
If you scroll down a bit, the obligatory "Also available from Titan Books" list does give Origins a 2018 release date.
Curiously, it's listed under "The official movie novelizations".
Can't see "Also available..." either.
Searching for 'alien covenant' brings up 'Alien: Covenant 2 - The Official Prequel to the Blockbuster Film' with a release date of September 26.
(https://preview.ibb.co/dOOMja/0.png)
Bottom right.
Ah right. It's in the book. I was looking on the site itself.
Considering what the site says and what Amazon says, I reckon it's still September. Particularly considering the misprints in Bug Hunt...
We've got the cover reveal and a new blurb.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/2017/07/27072017_01.jpg)
"The Covenant mission is the most ambitious endeavor in the history of Weyland-Yutani. A ship bound for Origae-6, carrying two thousand colonists beyond the limits of known space, this is make-or-break investment for the corporation—and for the future of all mankind.
Yet there are those who would die to stop the mission. As the colony ship hovers in Earth orbit, several violent events reveal a deadly conspiracy to sabotage the launch. While Captain Jacob Branson and his wife Daniels complete their preparations, security chief Daniel Lopé recruits the final key member of his team. Together they seek to stop the perpetrators before the ship and its passengers can be destroyed.
An original novel by the acclaimed ALAN DEAN FOSTER, author of the groundbreaking Alien novelization, Origins is the official chronicle of the events that led up to Alien: Covenant. It also reveals the world the colonists left behind."
Release date confirmed for 26 September too.
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/2017/07/27/avpgalaxy-exclusive-alien-covenant-origins-cover-reveal/
that cover is eh
Seems like a cover that can't possibly relate to the actual story...
Will it be a novel with no pictures or nice comic?
Quote from: Nostromo on Jul 27, 2017, 05:30:27 PM
Will it be a novel with no pictures or nice comic?
Novel.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Jul 27, 2017, 05:25:30 PM
Seems like a cover that can't possibly relate to the actual story...
Perhaps the Alien's inclusion means it wont be as Alien-less as we think?
Quote from: Whos_Nick on Jul 27, 2017, 05:23:15 PM
that cover is eh
At the risk of continually sounding like a broken record, I really really really really wish they'd stop using stock photos for these covers. I miss seeing the old painted artwork. Give me some covers from Tristan Jones or Raymond Swanland!
That said, I'm still keen to see what ADF does with the premise.
The xeno on the covers gives me some small hope that we'll get at least a sub-plot dealing with David and Shaw, but I'll try not to expect it too much.
I'm actually really into the idea of a book set on Earth. The world-building was one of my favorite parts about Rage War, so it should be cool to see what ADF does. The movie and the novel seemed to really be pushing the idea of humanity needing to go beyond Earth, so imagine things will be rather dire.
David and Shaw or I don't care personally.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Jul 27, 2017, 05:47:07 PMPerhaps the Alien's inclusion means it wont be as Alien-less as we think?
I was thinking more of Daniels being suited and all tooled up a la the end of
Covenant, but fair point!
I predict some Blade Runner-esque setting on Earth. HIGHLY doubt there's going to be a xenomorph in it, and the xeno on the cover is probably just more misguided marketing by Fox.
Not entirely.
Amazing Cover <3 Daniels is THE BEST from Covenant
;D
I pass. Not interested in Covenant. Getting the upcoming Predator and Alien Omnibus is enough for me.
Quote from: tleilaxu on Jul 27, 2017, 07:51:49 PM
I predict some Blade Runner-esque setting on Earth. HIGHLY doubt there's going to be a xenomorph in it, and the xeno on the cover is probably just more misguided marketing by Fox.
No aliens = GOOD. I liked seeing the alien in Covenant but it didn't really need it. We need more stories set in this universe with no aliens.
Can't wait!
Careful, everybody wanted Aliens in Prometheus and got Engineers and hated it, then they got Aliens in Covenant and hated it because it did not have the Engineers from Prometheus ....you see the hypocrisy bro. Both movies had a lot of flaws but it gave us new story telling, then again both prequels are to complicated for the average fan to comprehend, lets ask for the next movie in whatever direction they take to be exactly like Alien 2.
Quote from: Corporal HicksI really really really really wish they'd stop using stock photos for these covers. I miss seeing the old painted artwork. Give me some covers from Tristan Jones or Raymond Swanland!
Agreed sir!!! Very much agreed!!!
NOT Interested!
I have a question. If this is the most expensive and ambitious Weyland-Yutani endeavor, how can the captain decide to scrap the plans to continue the trip to Origae 6 to land on an uncharted planet instead.
Because it was a potentially a much better option and worth investigating.
Oram doesn't commit to abandoning Origae-6 in Covenant. He just diverts to investigate the possibility.
A prequel (book) based on a prequel.Oh god.
There was a fascinating super race which created us and the alien: we've seen hardly anything of them!
They would be a great subject! Sod the xenomorphs! Enough of them!
Quote from: CrespiChickenStrips on Jul 27, 2017, 06:39:22 PM
David and Shaw or I don't care personally.
I bet an eye that there will be at least some chapters in the book with a little David and Shaw in them. How much? I really can't say... but since David is the focus of the prequels I expect some really interesting stuff in them. 8)
The Covenant novelization seems to imply that Shaw was keeping a journal, so there's a possibility that Origins might be interspersed with entries from that. That would be pretty cool.
^^^ indeed sir! that would be neat!
https://titanbooks.com/alien-covenant-origins-the-official-prequel-to-the-blockbuster-film-9130/
Found Alien: Covenant Origins at Amazon ready for pre-order this year:
https://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/1785654764/ref=nosim/titanbooks-20
For those of us with Apple devices, iBooks has a preview of Orgins at last!
https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/alien-covenant-2-official-prequel-to-blockbuster-film/id1265515401?mt=11 (https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/alien-covenant-2-official-prequel-to-blockbuster-film/id1265515401?mt=11)
Not to get too excited but
Spoiler
the prologue seems to be David attacking the Engineers but from an unclear perspective. "The Prophet" gets mentioned several times, including once later on in the sample. Hoping we get more of this.
Holy crap, looking at it again, I think it may be implying that the Engineers didn't all die, and that it's them sabotaging the Covenant to keep David contained.
I wonder if this will imply that this faction of Engineers sabotaged LV-223 as well?
Can't read it myself but re: what's in that spoiler, I'm so pleased that we might still be getting to witness that.
However,
Spoiler
not sure how the Engineers trying to sabotage the Covenant would make sense...
I'm definitely more interested in giving this a read than I was before now.
Later on
Spoiler
there's a bit where it mentions the Prophets followers get subjected to visions of what happened in the prologue if their resolve starts to come into question. Definitely seems to be the destruction on Paradise.
I do agree though, it seems a bit off for the Engineers to care about the "greater good," which literally gets mentioned at one point.
The prologue also
Spoiler
mentions creatures killing the Engineers, assuming they're xenos.
Spoiler
The Prophet's first conecern is also that the creatures not reach Earth.
:-X
What if they went full bonkers and
Spoiler
the Prophet and his acolytes are human time travelers.
Oh-tee-bee-dee.
Quote from: Ultramorph on Sep 08, 2017, 10:28:53 PM
What if they went full bonkers and Spoiler
the Prophet and his acolytes are human time travelers.
At this point I wouldn't be suprised.
(https://www.avpgalaxy.net/forum/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fvignette4.wikia.nocookie.net%2Ftardis%2Fimages%2Fa%2Fad%2FFourth_Doctor_taps_his_nose.jpg%2Frevision%2Flatest%3Fcb%3D20150328170237&hash=fd8940d371c722f1dff5c0a2a0a934afb17c8c30)
Haha, at least we only have to wait a few more weeks.
Maybe
Spoiler
the Prophet and his acolytes are Arcturians. :laugh:
Should have asked ADF about Acturians! :laugh: Should be a default question for some of the EU interviews. lol
I was just thinking last night that maybe
Spoiler
"The Prophet" and his followers will turn out to be human psychics. That's probably my least favorite option, though, behind even time travelers.
Or maybe they'll be human-passing Engineers, "Trouble With Tribbles" style.
Preview is up.
https://books.google.com.sg/books?id=PrE0DwAAQBAJ&printsec=frontcover&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false
ooooooooooooo 352 pages!!! cant wait to read it! im almost done with my current book, hopefully this one rears its little head just in time!
A Prophet :O! This is getting more and more interesting.
Quote from: tleilaxu on Sep 16, 2017, 04:11:22 PM
A Prophet :O! This is getting more and more interesting.
I'm dying to know what's going on with that angle of the story. 10 more days!
I got a copy of the book and read it. Got released early here in Singapore.
Spoiler
No Aliens here. Just Corporate Espionage stuff with Weyland Yutani. No David and The Engineers. No Shaw as well.
Hmmmm. That's disappointing.
Spoiler
What's up with "the Prophet" and the creatures mentioned in the prologue?
Spoiler
He supposed a Psychic with a Cult. His group tries to sabotage the Covenant and kidnap the Weyland Yutani Chairman's daughter.
The Prophet has had a vision that there are "Creatures beyond the stars" that will destroy Earth.
Oh, looks like one of my guesses was right, too bad it was the least interesting one. Is it a fun read, at least?
Spoiler
I was a little disappointed to begin with, but got into it and ultimately quite enjoyed it.
Good to hear.
I received my review copy yesterday. I'm about 110 pages into, finished what appears to be Part One. As above, it's still disappointing we're not getting Shaw or David or Aliens but the world-building if pretty cool. I'm enjoying it well enough but I'm not being blown away by it.
Because it doesn't matter. If there's a follow up film (which i doubt), they probably won't be using any of these material.
Spoiler
If a sequel follows Covenant I don't imagine they'd need to.
At this point I'm mostly interested in the backstory behind the book and where the idea came from.
I've been struggling with the last 50 pages or so with all the
Spoiler
Weyland-Yutani kidnapping stuff
but it's picking up my interest again now we're actually getting into
Spoiler
the Prophet.
So ?
Spoiler
Covenant movie event was set up by weyland-yutani ?
Spoiler
Only if the manuscript I read back in April has changed.
Quote from: gantarat on Sep 25, 2017, 06:06:51 AM
So ?
Spoiler
Covenant movie event was set up by weyland-yutani ?
That is not the vibe I'm getting so far.
http://www.syfy.com/syfywire/read-exclusive-excerpt-from-alan-dean-fosters-new-alien-
Did the book wrap up well, Hicks? Got confirmation mine was delivered today, so I'll be diving in after work.
It has to be said that I really enjoyed Alien: Covenant the film. It wasn't everything I was hoping for, but it hit enough of my check boxes for me to be satisfied. My biggest problem was not knowing more about the 10 years between Prometheus, and the time that David and Shaw spent on Paradise. I was wanting to know more about the planet, about the Engineers, and to see the tension between David and Shaw that eventually led to him killing her.
With that out of the way...I was cautiously hopeful that this new novel by Alan Dean Foster might touch on some of those things, but I also didn't expect it. After reading the synopsis of the book, I wasn't interested in the slightest. But I went into the book with an open mind, also curious about Foster's writing style as I have never read any of his work.
Almost immediately I struggled with the story. Chapter after chapter, no matter how hard I tried, I couldn't bring myself to care about the situations, or the plot, such as it is. The entire novel seems to exist for no other purpose:
Spoiler
than to maybe, sort of, kinda connect the dots to how and why Captain Branson was killed. Why his hypersleep chamber caught on fire. Truly...that's it.
There is a cult on Earth. The leader is called the Prophet and he has visions of a terrifying alien force that is wiping out humanity. His visions actually sound a little like what we see when David drops the goo on Paradise. He sends out martyrs to try and sabotage the Covenant, fearing that whatever mission it accomplishes will eventually lead to the destruction of earth.
It pains me to say it, but that is the entire story. We see some of the characters from the film, but I don't remember a single moment when something was illuminated, or a piece of information dispensed that made me feel I'd learned something valuable.
Frankly, I'm a little surprised that this novel was published at all. Considering executives speaking about Covenant's disappointing box office numbers, it would seem that a story with more direct connection to either Aliens, Engineers, Prometheus, or Paradise would have been wiser. There are none of those things in this novel. It is simply characters from the Covenant preparing to launch while a few nut jobs try to sabotage the ship.
I understand that Alan Dean Foster has written many film adaptations, but this novel does not make me want to seek out anything else he has written. The writing did not draw me in, if anything it actually pushed me away. To me anyway, it did not have an immersive quality. I hesitate to speculate, but:
Spoiler
the novel truly does read like someone from Fox said, "I've seen a lot of complaints online about James Franco's character dying, and people not understanding what happened with his hyper sleep pod. We should try and explain that. Here, Alan, write a book that makes sense of that."
In my opinion, I can't see the any other purpose for this book to exist and tell the story it does. Hardcore fans of the Alien universe will be sorely disappointed, and casual fans won't even bother reading this. Why would they? A story about religious nuts trying to blow up a ship...a story that has almost nothing to do with the Alien universe.
I've been waiting months to read this book, hoping that the synopsis was slightly misleading and that there would be more to the story. Unfortunately, the synopsis was dead on, and I am truly disappointed.
This probably needs to be in the Literature area and have spoiler tags added.
That said-
Spoiler
I don't recall anything connecting the book to Branson's pod catching fire.
Also, the book was written well before the film came out and anyone knew what the response would be.
Why is everything related to Covenant a disappointment
Roger that SM, spoiler tags added.
Spoiler
And that's just it, the novel never explicitly states that this is why Branson died, but I can't think of any other reason to tell this particular story. It doesn't justify its own existence.
I was not aware that it was written and completed long before the film came out. Which makes the whole thing even more confusing. At any point since the disappointing box office numbers have been known, someone in marketing could have said, "Let's not further muddy the waters by releasing a novel with a picture of an Alien on the front that doesn't have a single thing to do with any Aliens. And...let's connect it to the very film that is struggling. It's just baffling.
Why release something like this if you already know what the reaction will be? Why not try and expand on a story that people are already invested in, connected to?
Quote from: Whos_Nick on Sep 27, 2017, 03:16:13 AM
Why is everything related to Covenant a disappointment
Personally, I value ambition over quality most of the time. Swing for the fences and I'm with that artist. Play it too safe and I lose interest.
I would have much preferred Fox to say, "Okay, Alan Dean Foster...David and Shaw were on Paradise for 10 years, go nuts! Invent like mad! Create an Engineer culture, have them explore the planet. Have them fight and argue, show us Shaw's fear. Show us David's increasing madness. Whatever, just be wild!"
To create such a beige story and put it out as some sort of "Covenant Origin" story is beyond bizarre. And what is truly mind boggling is that dozens of people probably had to sign off and agree with releasing this book. Enough people thought it was a good idea, and to market so deceptively is on another level as well.
QuoteWhy release something like this if you already know what the reaction will be? Why not try and expand on a story that people are already invested in, connected to?
Because the book was effectively in the can before the film came out and they expected the film to do better I suppose.
I ended up being in a position where I read the book before seeing the film, and possibly felt more when Lope and Rosey died, due to the book.
I'm still struggling myself. I've got about 70 pages or so left.
Have I missed something or has the novel not touched on
Spoiler
the Yutani corporations background?
I don't remember hearing any backstory on their expertise.
Spoiler
Not much. There's some sparse info early on about the takeover and competition with Jutou Combine, but it's not overly important to the plot really.
QuoteI would have much preferred Fox to say, "Okay, Alan Dean Foster...David and Shaw were on Paradise for 10 years, go nuts! Invent like mad! Create an Engineer culture, have them explore the planet. Have them fight and argue, show us Shaw's fear. Show us David's increasing madness. Whatever, just be wild!"
I think a lot of people would've preferred that, but there were stories floating around about how that might be a film, so perhaps those stories had some substance.
OK, so for some reason Amazon UK only has the book for sale via 3rd party sellers so I've ended up listening to it via Audible.
Firstly, I have to say that the audible reading was good. Tom Taylorson was fantastic and did all the voices very well, especially Lope.
As for the story itself, it was a bit superfluous. There are some bits I liked about in regards to world building. It fleshes out the universe they live in, and makes it feel rather reminiscent of the Blade Runner universe in some ways (hardly surprising, really). There were other aspects that reminded me very much of the Dark Horse Aliens comic books, specifically the
Spoiler
cult and prophet who has visions of demons from space. I believe Outbreak has a cult in it, though worshipping the aliens as opposed to trying to save us from them
.
I suppose I could see this as a novelisation of one of the Dark Horse comics, though not one of the best. That's what it felt like.
Also, I find it ironic that
Spoiler
the cult and the prophet were right and if they had just listened to them that then the colonists wouldn't be in the hands of a mad android right now...
Thumbed through it last night, liked
Spoiler
a scene where they speculate that David might have malfunctioned and been responsible to the Prometheus disappearing. That was a nice touch.
"Oh-tee-bee-see" = "Out there be demons."
Looking forward to doing a proper read.
Quote from: Stitch on Sep 27, 2017, 03:51:17 PM
Also, I find it ironic that Spoiler
the cult and the prophet were right and if they had just listened to them that then the colonists wouldn't be in the hands of a mad android right now...
I actually really like that. There's lots of different elements of this book that I do think are interesting and enjoy (I'm especially enjoying more like with Branson and Daniels and Lope and Rosenthal) but it's just not coming together for me.
Quote from: SM on Sep 27, 2017, 08:24:30 AM
Spoiler
Not much. There's some sparse info early on about the takeover and competition with Jutou Combine, but it's not overly important to the plot really.
No but I thought it was one of those world-building elements that people would have found interesting.
Does anyone else's book also have Branson referred to as Brandon throughout?
Yeah, I kept seeing "Captain Brandon" too.
QuoteNo but I thought it was one of those world-building elements that people would have found interesting.
I'm finding it interesting that after years of many fans saying they want a story about the universe and/ or the Company with no Aliens in it, we get one and it's not what people wanted.
It would be interesting though if Fox could adapt this into mini-series. More areas can be explored and expanded in Alien universe. ADF might agree.
Quote from: SM on Sep 27, 2017, 09:00:40 PM
QuoteNo but I thought it was one of those world-building elements that people would have found interesting.
I'm finding it interesting that after years of many fans saying they want a story about the universe and/ or the Company with no Aliens in it, we get one and it's not what people wanted.
I honestly think there's room for it. This just doesn't seem like the one. I think it's hanging under a shadow of "but a proper Covenant sequel would have been David and Shaw!"
An expanded Alien universe, particularly on earth is difficult because it ends up feeling like Blade Runner. At least to me anyway.
I never got a Blade Runner vibe from the book.
FFS... Really?!!!!
Spoiler
Exploding goats?
Well, that's 8 hours of my life I'll never get back.
Just finished reading this. Well there's a minor canon change as a result:
Spoiler
Yutani took over Weyland, not the other way around as the sacred timeline in the W-Y report states
Also we get to meet
Spoiler
Hideo Yutani
I think some people hit the nail on the head saying this feels like Blade Runner. That's not a bad thing. But how do I feel about the book as a whole? Got to sleep on it...
Spoiler
What this book desperately needs is a moment where we see an engineer transmitting the info into the prophet's head. That would justify him having these dreams. Otherwise, there is no reason why the guy would have such accurate dreams. Also, and very importantly, we needed to see Hideo Yutani plugging in the prophet to the dream reading equipment which we saw at the beginning of Prometheus. I mean that is old technology by the time this story takes place. If Yutani saw the dream, perhaps it could have been the reason that he needed to go out and search for the aliens.but this never happened. We could have had the motivation for W-Y's alien weapons interests explained here, but noooo. Fun read, but a bit of a wasted opportunity
A good number of orthographical errors too.
Spoiler
How were the dreams accurate?
Also
Spoiler
WYR focuses on Peter Weyland and not Hideo Yutani (for obvious reasons) so the language used in it will favour Weyland. Though later it also uses the word 'merge'. The term 'merger' is used numerous times throughout Origins as well.
http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/books-comics/alan-dean-foster/52206/alan-dean-foster-interview-alien-covenant-origins
QuoteHow does it feel to be back in the Alien universe after so many years away?
Kind of like being in Deep Sleep on the ship: I wake up, and no time has passed for me at all.
Origins is your fifth Alien novel; is it a particularly fun series to play around in?
As is always the case with playing in someone else's playground, it always depends on how much freedom I'm allowed. The more I'm left alone, the more enjoyable the project.
You've penned a number of movie novelizations in the past; what are some of the challenges involved with turning a screenplay into a compelling novel?
First and foremost, the reader must get a good deal more than exists in the screenplay: otherwise you might as well just read that. Fixing the science (where allowed), correcting lapses in story logic, expanding on the characters and especially their inner thoughts, and giving greater weight to interpersonal relationships are all important. In a novelization I have far more time, greater opportunity to provide insight into story and character, and an unlimited budget. All need to be utilized.
I understand when you were approached about the Covenant novel there was already a plan in place for a second tie-in book. Was the story set at this stage, or were other ideas discussed, e.g. Shaw and David's journey to the Engineer planet?
No story was in place and several alternate plots were discussed. The final story chosen was the one that I was asked to write.
Origins is your first original novel in the universe. How did you go about crafting the storyline?
There was a good deal of discussion between myself, Titan books, and Fox as to where the story could/should go. The more elaborate a movie franchise becomes, the greater the restrictions that come to the fore. Within what I was requested to write, I was given a great deal of freedom.
Do you have any favourite characters or sequences from the book? The Lope chapters seemed like a lot of fun to work on.
It's easy to write heroes and villains; ordinary folk are more difficult. I always saw Sgt. Lope as one of the most professional and competent characters in Covenant, but because of the number of characters and pace of the film, there wasn't much time to delve into his personality. I consider him the blue collar champion of the film; somebody who's really good at his job but doesn't make a big deal of it. In Origins I also enjoyed linking him up with Rosenthal. And of course, creating an entire family backdrop and history for the Yutani side of Weyland-Yutani was great fun.
One notable omission from Origins is a physical appearance by the titular beast himself. Was there ever any talk of trying to fit the alien into the story somehow?
It was discussed.
Was there ever consideration of including details from Origins in the Covenant novelization, e.g. a reference to the attempted sabotage of the ship before launch?
As the novelization was written, completed, and turned in to the publisher before Origins was begun, the opportunity was never there. It would have been fun to have been able to do that, but publishing requirements and time considerations prevented the possibility.
If you had free rein to tell any story within the Alien universe, do you have a concept you'd like to explore?
Oh yeah...but then, I've had them for decades.
A personal favourite novelization I've read of yours was The Thing, which is quite different from the final film. Was it surprising to watch the finished product and see how much it deviated from the script you worked from?
So often, important changes to a film are decided on the set or in post-production. I particularly would have liked to see filmed the ending in Bill Lancaster's script, but as I understand it, it would have cost too much.
Do you have any favourite novelizations of your own out of those you've worked on?
I'm afraid I like them all, and I don't really play favorites. But Alien was an especially difficult one because Fox would never allow me to see any images of the alien. If you read the book, there are no descriptions of the alien itself.
On the flipside, are there any of your original novels you'd love to see adapted into a film or television series?
Don't get me started. I've had, and currently have, a fair number under option, but I've been disappointed too many times already.
And finally, can you tell us about any projects you're currently working on?
Strange Music, a new Pip & Flinx novel, will be out from Del Rey in November. Relic, a stand-alone SF novel, will come out from Del Rey next year. I've turned in Secretions, a novel based entirely on slime. And a few other things....
Alan Dean Foster, thank you very much.
Thanks for sharing that.
No worries. :)
http://www.avpgalaxy.net/literature/reviews/alien-covenant-origins/
My verdict on the novel.
I found myself gobbling up this novel. Mostly I think because I wanted to see if anything relates to engineers or aliens. But there was nothing. I suspect that it was ADF's intention to make the nightmares of the prophet be transmitted by engineers, but Fox probably did not permit that. (Just my conjecture of course). As such, the story falls rather flat.
Mind you the world building and the sheer pace of action redeems the whole thing. Yes perhaps ADF jumped the shark with exploding cattle, but as a whole this was the best depiction of earth in the time of the alien universe we've seen this far... felt very Bladerunner. Even more so after seeing BR49.
Haven't gotten to read this yet. Do they ever say what Daniels' first name is?
Not that I recall.
Lope and Rosey get first names.
Quote from: Mr. Xenomorph on Oct 08, 2017, 10:48:08 PM
Haven't gotten to read this yet. Do they ever say what Daniels' first name is?
Ridley seems to be holding that as some sort of secret. Not too sure why. They talked about it during the production.
Ellen Ripley Daniels :P
Daniels is her maiden name, correct? Or in the future that old custom no longer exists?
More than likely. Her married name would be Branson. Ricks and Upworth also have different surnames. And T and Farris, more than likely. Karine however is possibly Karine Oram.
T's name could pretty much be anything if Tennesse is a nickname, which seems likely.
Quote from: SM on Oct 09, 2017, 10:41:35 AMHer married name would be Branson.
Assuming she took his name. She's a strong, independent woman and this is the future :P
Considering her name is Daniels I would not assume such a thing.
http://www.denofgeek.com/uk/books-comics/alien-covenant-origins/53150/exploring-the-alien-covenant-origins-novel
Den of Geek weren't massively keen.
Was anyone?
I liked it more than I thought I would but I don't know if anyone actually wanted this novel.
Honestly, I still haven't started reading it. Just not that excited by the premise.
i got about 10 pages in and gave up... just thought "whats the point? no aliens. no shaw. no david... MEH!"
Sounds like they missed the boat on this one. What a shame. They had so much material to expand upon that's actually RELEVANT to the story.
In other news, The Predator is getting a rom com prequel novel focusing on McKenna's early courtship of Yvonne Strahovski's character, because f*** the fans right?
Honestly, I do think there's place for non-Alien stories set within the Alien universe. Prometheus opened that up to us. I just don't think this particular one was that story.
Lost count of the number of times fans asked for a story without the Alien.
Lost count of the number of times fans have said 'Not this one! Where da Aliens?'
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 07:15:48 PMLost count of the number of times fans asked for a story without the Alien.
Lost count of the number of times fans have said 'Not this one! Where da Aliens?'
I really enjoyed some of the Alien-less stories from
Bug Hunt.
I've not read
Origins yet, but it seems to me the issue is less the lack of Aliens and more the lack of an interesting story.
I found the story interesting enough.
I think people found it hard to get over the preconception that they hoped it'd be about David and Shaw. It wasn't interesting enough to get past that.
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 07:24:29 PM
I found the story interesting enough.
I think people found it hard to get over the preconception that they hoped it'd be about David and Shaw. It wasn't interesting enough to get past that.
This. Once you expect a Shaw and David story, nothing else would be satisfying.
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 07:24:29 PM
I found the story interesting enough.
I think people found it hard to get over the preconception that they hoped it'd be about David and Shaw. It wasn't interesting enough to get past that.
It's unfair but that does factor into it. You think prequel to Alien: Covenant and that's what people expect and would want. There were plenty of things I found interesting in Origins but not as a whole package. The cult never felt like a legitimate threat primarily because they seemed so ineffectual and obviously we knew the ship would launch.
Honestly, I would have just liked more time with the crew because that's mainly what I got the most out of this.
Quote from: HuDaFuK on Nov 20, 2017, 07:20:46 PM
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 07:15:48 PMLost count of the number of times fans asked for a story without the Alien.
Lost count of the number of times fans have said 'Not this one! Where da Aliens?'
I really enjoyed some of the Alien-less stories from Bug Hunt.
Me too! The only one I truly disliked in that was the Hicks fanfiction. I thought some of the non-Alien ones were pretty damn cool. The early one with the crawler thing and Jim Moore's stick out for me.
We got a whole lotta Rosey and Lope. That aspect elevated the characters in the film for mine. It wouldn't have hurt to throw in one of the other security guys too. Ankor would've been a good choice to develop something with Rosenthal.
And I loved those bits with Rosey and Lope. And Branson. It was great that ADF added some actual character into him so he was more than just a flaming body and some motivation for Daniels. I'd have loved to have spent even more time with the lesser known characters from the film. Especially, like you, Ankor, and Ledward.
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 11:13:49 PMWe got a whole lotta Rosey and Lope.
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I was hoping someone would.
Lol Nice. Just got it. You can tell when Im tired that I don't get the greats lol
Yes, I always enjoy ADF's extras he writes into the novelizations. I like the prequel novel for its nice job of reorienting me away from alien-centric tales. I would enjoy more from ADF in the universe of Alien. I like his style.
Quote from: SM on Nov 20, 2017, 11:13:49 PM
We got a whole lotta Rosey and Lope. That aspect elevated the characters in the film for mine. It wouldn't have hurt to throw in one of the other security guys too. Ankor would've been a good choice to develop something with Rosenthal.
She
is a whole lotta woman, after all... ;D
SM, I recently finished reading the Weyland Yutani Report. Great work. I really enjoyed the layout, and the artwork was stellar.
I think I discussed here with you about the discrepancy which Alien: Origins brought about in regards to the timeline, whereby the WYR indicated that Weyland took over Yutani, and Alien: Origins indicated that it was the other way around. But I also noticed towards the end of WYR that there was a Keiko Yutani as a CEO of WY. As you know, Alien: Origins speaks about Hideo Yutani. One can presume that ADF was not privy to the information in WYR, but if you're willing and able, could you share with us how this went down? Is it really just the result of miscommunication, or is Keiko a different character from Hideo?
From memory Keiko Yutani is just a passing reference mentioned as one of a number of Company CEOs. Since the WYR was 'produced' in 2381, I can only assume that Keiko was a descendent of Hideo and Jenny, and could've been CEO anytime between the mid-22nd century (assuming Jenny followed Hideo and was CEO for several decades) and when the Company folded. Ditto Mitchell Kane. Whoever that is.
Other discrepancies between WYR and Covenant and Origins are just part and parcel of tying in material to an evolving film franchise. I found a number of anachronisms in the draft I read of Origins, which I raised with Fox, but I've not read the published book yet so don't know if they were addressed.
I vaguely recall tossing around ideas with Fox a long time about Weyland and Yutani joining and one involved Weyland being weakened by the mysterious loss of its founder, and Yutani seeing an opportunity to move in. I don't have the faintest idea if that was relayed to ADF, or he just had the same idea. I strongly suspect the latter.
Your explanation regarding Keiko works perfectly fine by me. There is no reason to expect that only Hideo would be memorable as the only W-Y CEO of significance. While I seem to remember Hideo only having a daughter, the cache of having a Yutani as a last name might have been passed down maternally. It all works. Thanks for that explanation.
No worries. :)
Just finished it. What an utterly bizarre story and pretty much a complete waste of time.
I enjoyed it as a book. I pretty much took myself out of the idea that there would be aliens involved and just enjoyed the world building.
What really struck me though, was that throughout the book, there was this feeling like a revelation was about to occur. I had the sense that behind the visions of OTBD, there were some sort of Engineer machinations, but well, that never came to be, so yes, the story really didn't serve much purpose...
Pretty much hated it. I think it's the worst Alien novel out there, but Aliens: Bug Hunt gives it a run for its money.
Some of my ideas that could have improved this novel:
- Give the Earthsavers a charismatic leader who is actually a good villain. He could have been a Tyler Durden or Jim Jones type that better explains why anyone would follow a "prophet" nobody.
- Have the Earthsavers at least succeed in part of their plots. Basically, they try 6 different attempts to cancel the mission and fail miserably each time. Why not let them succeed partially at first and let the mission be delayed for some time. That would make them more effective villains and let the heroes struggle more.
- The Jutou combine is a worthless red herring. Every character keeps talking about them but the reader knows from the second chapter that they are not behind the plots. Either reveal the actual threat later, make the Jutou a part of the plot or remove this filler.
- Have more consistency with the Earthsavers. They don't want to kill anyone but they kill 4 bodyguards in cold blood. Later it is said that nobody was killed. In the farm attack it is described how scores of people get killed and later the W-Y executive is congratulated that there were no fatalities. What?
- Actually focus on David and Shawn as a parallel storyline and flesh out the Covenant characters more.
Actually tie into the Alien: Covenant novel. I have not read that yet but I know ADF wrote them "out of order" and there are no references to Origins in the other book.
Jutou provided some world building.
The world building was about the only thing worthwhile in this story imo. So my question is would anyone be interested in an Alan Dean Foster original Alien novel with actual Aliens in them now?
Yes
Ya I think he deserves a shot at an original story. I wonder if he's read the old EU as I noticed parallels to the older stories. For instance the "Earthsavers" serve as the antagonist in a similar manner to Salvaje's fanatics in "Earth War/Outbreak" as well as ninjas a la "Music of the Spears". Probably just coincidence but just something I noticed.
I would love ADF to do an original Aliens novel! And honestly, I believe there is still room for Alien-less novels too.
Yes, let the man write an original Alien novel and give him some time to do it. I feel like Origins was rushed.
Walter was rushed, had to get him ready for the mission.
Therefore, exploitable by David.
And yet - not.
Wouldn't mind elaborating on that? :)
Now that the David's Drawings book has been announced, and I'm no longer massively disappointed/salty about the deceptive advertising surround this prequel novel, I've gone back and am giving it another shot after putting it down a few chapters in and not touching it again since it initially came out back in September. I'm about... almost halfway through and it's a decent enough story so far I suppose, though obviously not the one people thought they were getting, or one that anyone had particularly wanted or asked for. Seeing from that interview with ALF that he wasn't the one who came up with the pitch, he was handed the brief by FOX and Titan, so I guess props to him for working with what he had.
If you like the movie, you will like the book.
If you hate the movie, why are you reading it?
If you like the movie but have problems on it, it does go into further detail about some things, giving background and such.
I'm only about halfway through it, but it's a good read.
Highlights so far (besides what others have said):
*Rosie introduction
*Background of Walter's production
*Yutani and his daughter.. a bit like Weyland/Vickers but different
I'll quote from the book:
"As the first of its kind, there were always 'issues' with David. That is what my team and I have been working overtime to try to resolve. We believe we have done so, but are not yet a hundred percent sure." - page 143
Quote from: Scorpio on May 12, 2018, 03:32:37 AM
Wouldn't mind elaborating on that? :)
David was unable to exploit Walter.
Quote from: HybridNewborn on May 12, 2018, 03:55:14 AM
Now that the David's Drawings book has been announced, and I'm no longer massively disappointed/salty about the deceptive advertising surround this prequel novel, I've gone back and am giving it another shot after putting it down a few chapters in and not touching it again since it initially came out back in September. I'm about... almost halfway through and it's a decent enough story so far I suppose, though obviously not the one people thought they were getting, or one that anyone had particularly wanted or asked for. Seeing from that interview with ALF that he wasn't the one who came up with the pitch, he was handed the brief by FOX and Titan, so I guess props to him for working with what he had.
What deceptive advertising was this?
The general implication, the one that pretty much the entirety of the internet picked up on and was assuming as writ prior to.... June (just barely around three months prior to publication) was that the book would be about David & Shaw. So while "deceptive advertising" possibly isn't the best term to describe it, the scope and subject matter of the novel could have been clarified much earlier. Even then, when the brief was revealed, the novel's title — Origins — as well as its cover, also suggest at a glance things that the body of the work again fails to deliver upon.
All that being said, I'm still enjoying it well enough, now that the better part of a year and the announcement of David's Drawings have basically alleviated most of my gripes about the circumstances of this novel's release related above.
Quote from: SM on May 12, 2018, 11:10:02 AM
David was unable to exploit Walter.
Given that David, a supposedly inferior model, bested Walter twice.
(https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/avp/images/c/c3/Alien_covenant_origins.jpg/revision/latest/scale-to-width-down/303?cb=20170802173007)
This book, with this cover, doesn't have an alien in it.
The average person who doesn't hang out on these forums would likely consider that deceptive advertising.
The average person should read the blurb.
Where are David and Shaw mentioned?
The aliens actually motivate the entire plot, at least the threat of the aliens that come from dreams this cult leader has.
Wrapping this up now. The whole compound assault in particular, and the bit where the six try to convince Yutani with the artists' interpretations, makes me a little sad this wasn't an HBO or Netflix miniseries, or even something a little lower budget like Forward Unto Dawn.
It really is much better than I gave it credit for on release, and I'm glad I took the time to come back to it.
Listening to this so soon after Sea of Sorrows, I have to wonder if "The Prophet" is an empath like Deckar, who also experienced visions and nightmares of alien monstrosities...
I don't whether Yutani is convinced by the visions, but this confirms that Yutani had some knowledge of the alien. So maybe Yutani was looking for alien, which created Special Order 937.
How do you figure that?
They showed him the visions of the prophet.
Which were described as indistinct, and artists' renditions, with no defining details beyond claws and teeth and monstrous forms.
"Relatively photorealistic"
"Enough details to create a visceral response"
"Like nothing he had ever seen or read"
pg 253
"They played out in swirls of viscera and reformulations of grisly violence"
"He was sweating profusely"
pg 254
None of which, as HybridNewborn said, mentions anything specifically Alien with a capital A.
And he was sweating because he turned the heating up. Yutani didn't take them seriously.
There apparently wasn't too much detail, as it also states he couldn't tell if the victims were human or not.
He turned the heating off because he was sweating too much, not because of the heating but because of the exchange.
His hands were also shaking, so it had nothing to do with the heating.
He had to stop himself from laughing at them. The heated couch induced the sweating.
That was before they showed him the vision.
OH-TEE-BEE-DE
No he had to stop from laughing after they disconnected.
It was not the visions he was laughing at.
He was laughing at them in general - none of which suggests he knew about the Aliens.
Yes, it was very clear that he'd turned up the heat to induce sweating when he "sank back into the couch". He put on a performance for them.
I must have missed that part where he turns up the heat so that it looks like he is sweating from fear to fool them.
Anyway, just finished the book, didn't know there were two landers. I'll have to check for an empty lander bay next time I watch the film.
Ok I've just read this novel. It was ... slightly feeble.
It didn't go the way I thought it would. I knew it was going to focus on the Covenant crew's preparations for launch, because I had read the blurb on the back cover of the book before buying it. And I also knew it was very unlikely to have aliens in it, because by the time the movie starts no one on the ship has seen any aliens. But actually it started off ok, with the prologue about the Prophet's dream, and dreaming about aliens seems a good way to involve them without actually involving them, if you get my drift.
So I was hoping it would become almost supernatural, in a way, with a guy dreaming about aliens that haven't even been created yet (according to the Prometheus/Covenant timeline).
No such luck. Instead we get an insipid story about kidnappings and gun attacks, all of which go wrong. It felt like it had been written by a 14 year old. Ah well.
An earlier poster here said that it would have been a better story if they had put the Prophet into a dream-reading machine, like David reading Shaw's dreams at the beginning of Prometheus, and I agree.
Right then. Moving onto the novelisation of the actual film now.
The Prophet didn't want to inflict his dreams on anyone else.
Quote from: SM on Oct 01, 2018, 08:59:09 PM
The Prophet didn't want to inflict his dreams on anyone else.
Correct. However, if we're speculating about changing the storyline of the book, we can change the characters too! So the Prophet, in our new version, is quite happy about sharing his dreams ;D