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ShaneU · 31-07-2009, 05:19

http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/07/30/...alien-prequel/

Quote:

Originally Posted by Slashfilm

In May, it was revealed that commercial director Carl Erik Rinsch was attached to direct a remake of Alien. We have since learned that it is more of a prequel than a remake. I was one of the few people actually interested in Rinsch’s involvement. Rinsch’s commercials show an amazing sense of imagination, visual effects artistry and composition (we’ve profiled his amazing commercials on the site). But apparently 20th Century Fox wasn’t happy with the Scott’s choice of director, holding out for the original helmer — Ridley Scott.

At the time I believed that would never happen. Why would Scott return to film a prequel of the most popular sci-fi film franchises of all time? Why compete with yourself? Producing the film seems like a much safer bet. Who knows why, but Ridley Scott has signed on to direct a prequel to Alien.

The film will be a direct prequel to Scott’s original 1979 film. This leads me to believe that the film will tell the story of the crew of the empty ship that is discovered in the first film. In a 2002 interview, Scott wanted to return “to where the alien creatures were first found and explain how they were created.” Chances are this idea would also be incorporated into the reboot. Jon Spaihts will write the screenplay, a job he earned after pitching the studio and production company Scott Free. Spaihts has no produced credits, but has written Shadow 19 and Passengers, both of which are also sci-fi space thrillers.

Strangely, I feel a lot different about this project now that Scott is at the helm. Not only is Scott experienced, but he has done this before. So why is it that I feel less comfortable with Scott at the helm than an experienced commercial director? Maybe it is fear that Scott won’t be able to create something better than the original. Maybe it is fear that the film will be too much like the original, and I would have liked to see a completely different take. And maybe it is that I just don’t understand the idea of a filmmaker returning 30 years later to film a reboot.

And maybe it is that I fear that a Body of Lies-era Ridley Scott won’t produce anything close to the level of the original feature. I don’t think I’d ever want to see Martin Scorsese to film a prequel/reboot of Goodfellas. I expect a lot of the /Film commenters will disagree… so please explain to me why I should be excited about this.

Loved Alien and Blade Runner, should be good unlike the last Aliens movie

pixelburp · 31-07-2009, 08:53

That's ... interseting, I wonder what's taking Scott back after the 3 sequels have come and gone. I am officially interested in this project now; it couldn't be any worse than the god-awful AvP films & it'll be interesting to compare / contrast early Ridley Scott vs. the latter day one

**faceman** · 31-07-2009, 10:00

I got really excited when I read it this morning but then i felt a little part of me die. Bare with me on this.

Do you remember the first time you watched Alien? The mystery of it all. The terror. The 18's rated cut. It was something else. I remember watching it over and over when I was young to see if any hints as to the crashed alien ship was revealed.

I also felt that it remained one of cinema's "holy grails". The crashed alien ship with the huge alien with his chest open. I dont want Hollywood to explain it, not even Scott. It is the one last mystery of the Alien films. It doesnt need to be explained.

Regarding another Alien film anyway, there isnt really much I can see Scott can do with it at this stage.

Draupnir · 31-07-2009, 10:04

I thought Predators made Aliens?..........

This could be great or it could suck. Agree with Faceman, I remember seeing that huge alien in the seat at the start of Alien and being completely overwhelmed by curiosity as to what happened to him etc.

Years later the internet let me discover that there is no backstory for that character and he is just known as "Space Jockey" but that tiny piece of information was enough, I like the mystery of it all.

Exploring it in depth will just ruin the whole thing I fear.

uncleoswald · 31-07-2009, 10:22

I agree with most of the above. Unless there is a damn good idea behind it all and Scott feels there is a story that he is compelled to tell then I see no reason for a prequel.

But fingers crossed and all that.

Quote:

I thought Predators made Aliens?..........

Think they just hunted them. But regardless I don't think Predators have any place in the "real" Alien universe.

**Nerin** · 31-07-2009, 10:28

I've always been interested in the unsaid unexplained things in aliens.

Having a quick look at wiki,the spin off books have interesting ideas on the different breeds. I'd be really excited to see this,but as faceman said,sometimes not knowing is better. Hopefully scott will be able to pull this off.

Slow Motion · 31-07-2009, 10:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by pixelburp

That's ... interseting, I wonder what's taking Scott back after the 3 sequels have come and gone. I am officially interested in this project now; it couldn't be any worse than the god-awful AvP films & it'll be interesting to compare / contrast early Ridley Scott vs. the latter day one

Maybe he was so pissed off with them and AvPs that he decided to show them how it should be done (I am determined to be optimistic on this one and no one will change my mind but the film itself

)

Quote:

Originally Posted by faceman

I got really excited when I read it this morning but then i felt a little part of me die. Bare with me on this.

Do you remember the first time you watched Alien? The mystery of it all. The terror. The 18's rated cut. It was something else. I remember watching it over and over when I was young to see if any hints as to the crashed alien ship was revealed.

I also felt that it remained one of cinema's "holy grails". The crashed alien ship with the huge alien with his chest open. I dont want Hollywood to explain it, not even Scott. It is the one last mystery of the Alien films. It doesnt need to be explained.

Regarding another Alien film anyway, there isnt really much I can see Scott can do with it at this stage.

I'm the opposite, I would love for the film to explore this, I have always wondered about the ship and it's pilot and would love to learn more about it!

**Galvasean** · 31-07-2009, 10:32

I'd rather they didn't include Predators or new breeds of Alien. Yes, there is some pretty cool stuff in the expanded universe, but every time they've tried to put Alien and Predator in the same film they have failed miserably.
As far as new breeds are concerned, I don't want to see a bunch of CGI 'gimickomorphs' cluttering the screen.

Draupnir · 31-07-2009, 10:43

Predators do not belong in this movie, they should not be in it and if they are it will be a bad movie. I believe Ridley Scott is smart enough to know that though.

Alien breeds, absolutely there should be different breeds of alien in a prequel but rather than being gimmicky I think they'd need to be a lesser form of alien than the ones who first hatched within humans. That is of course, assuming that they alien from the first movie was the first to hatch within a human and adopt human traits.

**Nerin** · 31-07-2009, 11:10

Its not a gimmick,its a constant in the series.

We see mostly warrior caste aliens because thats what pops out of humans. Alien 3 had the runner because it gestated in the Ox.

mike65 · 31-07-2009, 11:35

If he reassembles the Alien talent and makes the film using the same techniques and style then I wouldn't have too much worry. If he using modern CGI type **** and bad "Yoof appeal" casting with a 12A cert then it'll be a total waste.

Bubs101 · 31-07-2009, 12:05

Don't see the problem with modern CGI. The best the Alien has ever looked is in AVP 1 where he smiles at the guy trapped in the vent before gobsmacking him. Anyway I'm very much looking forward to this. Hope Scott sees it as a chance to avenge Cameron stealing the series from him with Aliens

Draupnir · 31-07-2009, 12:24

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nerin

Its not a gimmick,its a constant in the series.

We see mostly warrior caste aliens because thats what pops out of humans. Alien 3 had the runner because it gestated in the Ox.

Fair enough, it got gimmicky with Predaliens etc. though

purple_hatstand · 31-07-2009, 12:31

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bubs101

Don't see the problem with modern CGI. The best the Alien has ever looked is in AVP 1 where he smiles at the guy trapped in the vent before gobsmacking him. Anyway I'm very much looking forward to this. Hope Scott sees it as a chance to avenge Cameron stealing the series from him with Aliens

Did this really happen? I've watched both recently enough and IMO, Cameron's 80's gung-ho military take on it has dated quite badly whereas Scott's use of suspense, mystery and silence create a terrifying atmoshere which has yet to bettered (and it is unlikely that it will be).

The relationship between Scott and HR Giger was fundamental to the look and feel of the first film and securing Giger's involvement for this new project could, again, be key.

Scott has a lot on his plate at the moment, though, so this can't be happening anytime soon...?

**Sad Professor** · 31-07-2009, 12:38

Bah. This would have been nice 15 years ago before the franchise was run into the ground. Today I'd much rather see Scott do a new sci-fi film (Brave New World, Forever War, etc) then return to the Alien franchise. But I guess this is the only sci-fi project they are willing to give him a decent budget for.

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31-07-2009, 08:53	#2
pixelburp Registered User Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 4,864 Adverts \| Friends	That's ... interseting, I wonder what's taking Scott back after the 3 sequels have come and gone. I am officially interested in this project now; it couldn't be any worse than the god-awful AvP films & it'll be interesting to compare / contrast early Ridley Scott vs. the latter day one

31-07-2009, 10:00	#3
faceman Category Moderator Join Date: Jun 2005 Location: In the Dreams of Fairies and Moo Cows Posts: 11,926 Adverts \| Friends CMod: No Drama Theatre Group, Humour, Theatre & Performing Arts, Arts, Arts Mods, Films	I got really excited when I read it this morning but then i felt a little part of me die. Bare with me on this. Do you remember the first time you watched Alien? The mystery of it all. The terror. The 18's rated cut. It was something else. I remember watching it over and over when I was young to see if any hints as to the crashed alien ship was revealed. I also felt that it remained one of cinema's "holy grails". The crashed alien ship with the huge alien with his chest open. I dont want Hollywood to explain it, not even Scott. It is the one last mystery of the Alien films. It doesnt need to be explained. Regarding another Alien film anyway, there isnt really much I can see Scott can do with it at this stage.

31-07-2009, 10:04	#4
Draupnir Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 3,520 Adverts \| Friends	I thought Predators made Aliens?.......... This could be great or it could suck. Agree with Faceman, I remember seeing that huge alien in the seat at the start of Alien and being completely overwhelmed by curiosity as to what happened to him etc. Years later the internet let me discover that there is no backstory for that character and he is just known as "Space Jockey" but that tiny piece of information was enough, I like the mystery of it all. Exploring it in depth will just ruin the whole thing I fear.

31-07-2009, 10:28	#6
Nerin Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Savage Wildlands Posts: 14,093 Adverts \| Friends Mod: The Nocturnal Forum, The Rafters	I've always been interested in the unsaid unexplained things in aliens. Having a quick look at wiki,the spin off books have interesting ideas on the different breeds. I'd be really excited to see this,but as faceman said,sometimes not knowing is better. Hopefully scott will be able to pull this off.

31-07-2009, 10:32	#8
Galvasean Moderator Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Hell's Creek Posts: 32,293 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Palaeontology, Transformers	I'd rather they didn't include Predators or new breeds of Alien. Yes, there is some pretty cool stuff in the expanded universe, but every time they've tried to put Alien and Predator in the same film they have failed miserably. As far as new breeds are concerned, I don't want to see a bunch of CGI 'gimickomorphs' cluttering the screen.

31-07-2009, 10:43	#9
Draupnir Registered User Join Date: Jan 2004 Location: Dublin Posts: 3,520 Adverts \| Friends	Predators do not belong in this movie, they should not be in it and if they are it will be a bad movie. I believe Ridley Scott is smart enough to know that though. Alien breeds, absolutely there should be different breeds of alien in a prequel but rather than being gimmicky I think they'd need to be a lesser form of alien than the ones who first hatched within humans. That is of course, assuming that they alien from the first movie was the first to hatch within a human and adopt human traits.

31-07-2009, 11:10	#10
Nerin Moderator Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Savage Wildlands Posts: 14,093 Adverts \| Friends Mod: The Nocturnal Forum, The Rafters	Its not a gimmick,its a constant in the series. We see mostly warrior caste aliens because thats what pops out of humans. Alien 3 had the runner because it gestated in the Ox.

31-07-2009, 11:35	#11
mike65 Registered User Join Date: May 2001 Location: waterford Posts: 80,977 Adverts \| Friends	If he reassembles the Alien talent and makes the film using the same techniques and style then I wouldn't have too much worry. If he using modern CGI type **** and bad "Yoof appeal" casting with a 12A cert then it'll be a total waste.

31-07-2009, 12:05	#12
Bubs101 Registered User Join Date: Dec 2006 Location: Right side of the city Posts: 6,464 Adverts \| Friends	Don't see the problem with modern CGI. The best the Alien has ever looked is in AVP 1 where he smiles at the guy trapped in the vent before gobsmacking him. Anyway I'm very much looking forward to this. Hope Scott sees it as a chance to avenge Cameron stealing the series from him with Aliens

31-07-2009, 12:38	#15
Sad Professor Information Retrieval Join Date: Feb 2005 Location: Dublin Posts: 14,299 Adverts \| Friends Mod: Mac, Star Trek, Films	Bah. This would have been nice 15 years ago before the franchise was run into the ground. Today I'd much rather see Scott do a new sci-fi film (Brave New World, Forever War, etc) then return to the Alien franchise. But I guess this is the only sci-fi project they are willing to give him a decent budget for.