Up until October this year, “Alien 5” was still a hot topic on the internet and the rumor mills. Towards the end of the same month, everything about the film suddenly stopped when word came out that the movie has been officially put on hold by 20th Century Fox pending the plans of director Ridley Scott for the “Prometheus” sequels.
The decision does make sense since the critically-acclaimed director, writer, and producer will start working on the “Prometheus” sequel next year officially titled “Alien: Covenant” for its October 6, 2017 playdate.
A few weeks after the confirmation of “Alien: Covenant,” Ridley Scott also announced that the third movie of the “Prometheus” prequel trilogy will have the title “Alien: Paradise Lost” and shall begin production in Australia on December 31, 2017, reports What Culture.
Critics believe that the move and strategy of 20th Century Fox on its “Alien” and “Prometheus” franchises do make sense. It would be absurd if “Alien 5” would come out when the prequel trilogy has yet to be completed. It will just add to the confusion of viewers.
While a good number of people know that the “Prometheus” trilogy is the prequel to the “Alien” franchise, a good number of people also do not know about it. Except for the fact that the two franchises feature the xenomorph alien, there is hardly a connection from “Prometheus” to “Alien” yet.
In a recent interview, Ridley Scott said that fans would still not be able to see the direct connection of the “Alien: Covenant” sequel to the “Alien” franchise because that will happen on the third “Prometheus” movie, notes Comingsoon.net.
However, when they changed the title of the sequel from “Prometheus 2” to “Alien: Covenant” and titled the 3rd movie “Alien: Paradise Lost,” Ridley Scott and the producers seem to have fast-track the connection.
With that being said, it is important really for the prequel trilogy to complete and make the connection to “Alien” first before a fifth movie to the classic franchise is released.
Confirming that ‘Alien 5’ was on hold
It was actually “Alien 5” director Neill Blomkamp who confirmed that his movie is on hold and pending during his tweet dated October 29.
In his post on Twitter, Blomkamp said that “Alien 5” is kind of on hold pending “Prometheus 2.” He said that he shall be focusing on other things despite the fact that he would love working on a project involving the xenomorph and Lt. Ripley.
Ripley is the character played by Sigourney Weaver in the “Alien” franchise.
However, there are reports coming out that there is a chance that Neil Blomkamp’s project may no longer come to fruition. But Blomkamp remains optimistic about “Alien 5,” confident of the potential of the movie in the box-office.
Prequel first before sequel
Sometime in August, critically-acclaimed director, writer and producer Ridley Scott has said that he wants “Alien: Covenant” to come out first before “Alien 5.” As the producer and director of “Alien: Covenant,” he said that shooting and production for the sequel of the $400 million surprise 2012 blockbuster will begin next year.
Now, “Alien 5” will not just wait for the completion of “Alien: Covenant” but also that of the second “Prometheus” sequel officially titled “Alien: Paradise Lost.”
Given such timeline, it is likely that “Alien 5,” assuming it pushes through, will begin production in 2018 or 2019 and will likely be released to the cinemas in 2019 or 2020.
At the time of the announcement of Scott, 20th Century Fox, which is producing both films, appears to be supporting the decision of the director and producer. It seems that the only people who think that it was a setback is Neill Blomkamp and the fans of the “Alien” franchise, who found a new reason to be excited with the announcement of “Alien 5” early this year.