Imagine making a groundbreaking film whose influence is still felt in theaters decades later. But then the studio just hires him another director for the sequel. That’s exactly what happened to Ridley Scott after his sci-fi masterpiece Alien.
In 1979, the style-defining film conquered the big screen and gave us not only a legendary film monster, but also one of the most iconic action heroines of film history (Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley). However, Scott had to resign from his post during the sequel. James Cameron directed part 2.
Sci-Fi sequel: Ridley Scott wasn’t at all happy about James Cameron taking over the Alien franchise
Aliens – The Return significantly reduces the horror of its predecessor and focuses more on action. In a recent interview with Deadline, Scott was asked how he felt at the timewhen he found out that 20th Century Fox (now 20th Century Studios) had given the expansion of the Alien series to another filmmaker.
I was pissed. I would [James Cameron] never say, but I think I was hurt. I knew that I [mit Alien] had created something very special, something truly unique. I was hurt, deeply hurt. At that moment I felt terrible because I was trying to recover from Blade Runner.”
You can watch the trailer for Aliens – The Return here:
Aliens – Trailer (English)
Personally, Scott has no grudge against Cameron. “We’re not exactly friends, but we talk to each other a lot and he’s a great guy”, he says in the interview. Nevertheless, it seems to him Taking away the Alien series to have met very much. Around 30 years after the original, he was still able to continue his vision.
With Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017), Scott directed two films that are set before the events of the first Alien film. However, he is currently out of the Alien series again. The next part, Alien: Romulus, tells a completely independent story and starts August 15, 2024 in the cinema.
What does Ridley Scott do when he’s not making Alien movies?
Scott is currently back on the big screen with a new historical epic. The Napoleon he directed has been running ever since November 23, 2023 in German cinemas. The colleagues from FILMSTARTS reveal whether it’s worth taking a look in the latest edition of their podcast Canvas Love.
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As with Alien, we get a director’s cut of Napoleon. Scott has already had one over four-hour version of the film, which will premiere on the streaming service Apple TV+. The start date has not yet been set.
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