Yes, I agree that Scott's clout will have a positive affect on this film. Here's a few examples of what happens when a director doesn't have clout on an Aliens film.
AVP--studio mandated a PG-13 cut from the outset. Contrary to what Anderson has claimed, a PG-13 cut was the plan from the beginning.
Alien 3--the script was being altered and wasn't even near completion when filming began. The multitude of producers kept dictating to Fincher what he would and would not do throughout the production. No wonder he's completely disowned it.
A:R--studio mandates Winona Ryder be cast because she's supposedly hip and cool and will connect with a younger audience.
I'm all for strong character actors being cast. Alien and Aliens without strong performances from working actors like Harry Dean Stanton, Bill Paxton, Yaphet Kotto, Ian Holm, Jennette Goldstein etc wouldn't have been half as good. I think Ron Perlman and Michael Wincott are great character actors and they were the only thing I liked in A:R.
However, what I don't want to see is someone like say Brad Pitt, Russell Crowe, or Angelina Jolie. Not unless they have no problem being killed off early. Seeing someone like that means I know who is going to live until at least the very end of the film.
Also, Scott has the clout to say no to whatever absurdities some jackass suit might come up with. They can say "Ridley, we want a cat-alien, a killer crab alien, and a flying queen alien in the film. This will help us sell more toys," and Scott can threaten to quit, go to the press, etc. At the end of filming they can say "Cut this this movie down to a PG rating. We'll sell more tickets," and he'd also have the clout to fight it.
Then again, this flick is going to be in 3D, so who knows. I hope that's because he wants to do it in 3D and not because the studio has mandated 3D or else.
I'm not a 3D fan. Shit gives me a headache.
