Ridley Scott says he will do another Alien movie with no horror and no alien

Well, AI can be a scary path. But, drifting away from the Alien stuff- yeah that will drive up the box office numbers! Just make sure to take the Alien word out of the title. He almost sounds like he is trolling!

He is just so cynical about the whole thing. He just sounds like an adult dismissing youths for liking monster movies. ‘You need more alien, you need more face pulling, need more chest bursting,’ so I put a lot of that in Covenant and it fitted nicely. Where is your passion about the genre, Ridley?

I have said this many times but the alien franchise is about aliens (thus the title) the philsophical sub plots, poetry and visualls all serve to complement the aliens. not replace them. for example: if you make a batman movie your focus is batman. robin, alfren, commitioner gordan and the villain  all serve batmans charector ark.

alien awakening without aliens would be like the dark night without batman. it wouldn't make sense

'Ridley Scott says he will do another Alien movie with no horror and no alien'

It sounds like a brilliant idea, I think, since it would be the perfect Alien movie: the monster is in the darkness from the beginning to the end, and we have to use our creative imagination - and that sounds very scary.

I see no evidence like in his previous comments that totally disregard the Xenomorph, people had become up in arms about the last few comments RS made a few months back and automatically assumed we are getting NO Xenomorphs and just another DAVID show.

Fans need to try and read between the lines more, and remember RS does make mistakes and gets misquoted in his interviews... this latest one appears to be adding up to some points i have been making the last 6-8 weeks. I will look at his quotes now.

 “I think what we have to do is gradually drift away from the alien stuff.”

Again this shows us that RS feels the Franchise is larger than just the Xenomorph and answering how it gets on the Derelict, it appears he wishes to introduce other elements and not give us a movie were we see those TWO Face Huggers lead to Queens and then Colonist turned into Masses of Xenomorphs like ALIENS.

"People say, ‘You need more alien, you need more face pulling, need more chest bursting,’ so I put a lot of that in Covenant and it fitted nicely. But I think if you go again you need to start finding another solution that’s more interesting. I think AI is becoming much more dangerous and therefore more interesting.”

Again RS is saying that there are other things that are interesting rather than the Xenomorphs and that we dont need to be seeing Xenomorph based movies, and so RS thinks the REASONS for eh creating of the Xenomorph is more interesting, the REASON for why the company wishes to Pursuit such FOLLY

As much as it may disappoint some Fans, the Prequels have simply showed us the Xenomorph Strain is a Bio-Weapon that was intended to be used on Mankind, and gets Manipulated by David and so its a bit like the Chinese Inventing Gunpowder but then other cultures come along and Evolve its Application.  And so our Xenomorph is relegated to just being a Weapon Created for Destruction.

RS will no doubt be wanting to explore the reasons for WHY the Engineers and David would wish to experiment with  the Bio-Weapon.

So what RS is really getting at is we really know now how the Xenomorph in ALIEN came to be.

Black Goo Engineers Experimented on, Unleashed on a Engineer Homeworld and results experimented with more Black Goo to Create the Xenomorph...  ALL THAT IS LEFT... is to show how TWO Face Huggers become Thousands and end up on a ENGINEER Ship. Plus how Davids Xenomorphs get Evolved.

And RS just feels that TWO movies to cover that is not needed, especially if it shows off lots of Xenomorphs and so its exploring WHY Davids Creations get Evolved and end up on  Engineer Ship, and WHY this ship then happens to be close to LV-223 and then WHY the company has a great interest in the Organism in-spite of its Danger to Mankind.

And i think Angry, Jealous Sub-Creations Rebelling will be the KEY theme...  i think RS could explore a connection between David and the LV-223 Engineers... and the Hubris in those Planet 4 Engineers maybe Engineer those LV-223 ones, like how in hindsight Mankind has done with creating its own Synthetic Sub-creation.

And Ultimately i am waiting for the reveal that the Company is being ruled by Machines while Mankind are oblivious so much like a MATRIX kind of Plot.

What about why the goo was made?  Human VX gas is a much better solution if mass death is the goal while maintaining the topography.  Was the goo to build an army?  If so, what is the lifespan of a morph/soldier?  Do they get old, have kids and develop a bad back?  Or do they die after a short period of time like a seasonal insect?  

On to rogue AI, how about David develop anti-EMP technology, because that is what AI will ultimately need.  I also question what David gains from all this work toward genecide of a species that he is years (distance) away from?  He needs someone to tell him to move on - like an AI support group.  if it is retribution for some injustice, then that really isn't supported by the notion of a superior being with the Galaxy and time at his finger tips - he should know he's above it?

If he is doing all of this just to create, to create something/anything.  Then that is a bit strange that he would chose to create a biological being.  He is already above that?  Create a better version of himself and let monuments be erected of him in all his glory.  And if we follow the arc we know, if the supposed biomech verion is his glory, then it was a massive failure via Ripley (I think the biomech aspect was a limitation of suit design at the time and is a problem now for the writers trying to lace this together).

Or does he want all life eraticated and for him to be alone, proving that no higher force (God) is perpetuating life?  Maybe he just wants to see if he can be God.  But that would mean to reign supreme over a creation that seeks good amongst the faults.  For his creation to aspire to be as he is. That is not what we have seen as canon for the xenomorph.  It just kills.

Well, I'm curious about what Ridley Scott wants to do. Even if it's an AI centered film it will be in the alien universe. It might be better than other AI films that are set on earth. 

Go ahead Ridley, don't disarm in front of the Aliens/Cameron fanboys.

Spearfish Honestly, do you think Ridley Scott even remembers about the black goo? his comments suggest a great disdain for the sci-fi horror genre he helped create. He does not believe in it anymore. So just expect to get a lot more of philosophical mumbo jumbo in a no budget flick he's gonna rush to deliver so he can be done with his contract and exit this not so successful business endeavor. And to think he once tried to sell this as a Star Wars type franchise!!!!!!

I will be that guy and pose the question. With all due respect, at 80 and working on other projects, how much mojo might he have left for this franchise?

It seems age is just a number for Ridley Scott. 

BigDave - 'I see no evidence like in his previous comments that totally disregard the Xenomorph, people had become up in arms about the last few comments RS made a few months back and automatically assumed we are getting NO Xenomorphs and just another DAVID show.'

Thank you for highlighting again that there are some members here on the site who continuously try to reconstruct the meaning of Scott's words attempting to control our opinion about his plans.

BigDave - "Again this shows us that RS feels the Franchise is larger than just the Xenomorph".

Larger than Xeno, yes. Engineers, Black Goo, other alien creatures - yes. But not freaking AI! No. Just no! Alien franchise all about dangerous space and extraterrestrials organisms. Not about banal humans problems - corporations or AI. It is soooo boring. And we have Blade Runner for it.

I agree with Leto, I'm OK with exploring AI because it is very scary but the movie is called Alien for a reason. I want to see alien experiments and at least one good alien scene or I will be pissed. After this movie I pray they give the series to a new director who does not hate it so much. 

IMHO - Sir Ridley will do what he will do, as the artist he is.  I am just one fan who is asking to have an explanation of 'The ways of the Engineers'!  Can I just get some Engineer lore?!?!  Rant over, carry on.

Again?!

Oi, Disney! Buy that sh!t, fire the staff and do it like you did with Star Wars. Just to end this posse. ¬.¬ 

"Create a better version of himself"

This would indeed repeat the Theme being explored here that Sub-creating Back Fires on the Creator, and so it would be interesting if David Creates something that Rebels against him.

You raise some good points Spearfish and its quite possible those could be explored upon.

Regarding the AI i think RS/FOX need to get a massive Grip on what the Franchise is about... because Fans will indeed want to be seeing Xenomorphs, i feel a movie that barely shows any... i.e even less than Prometheus and then Totally Distances itself from the Xenomorph will Ultimately Fail for one simple reason.

The FRANCHISE does not have a massive base, and none Alien Fans have not Flocked to take interest in a Story about a Rogue Robot.

While the Company its Agenda and the Synthetics are all part of the Alien Franchise, they are just like RIPLEY simply nothing ALIEN and to have a Movie with a Alien Prefix that touches only upon Human Exploration and Synthetic AI would not really be a ALIEN movie... and they cant go and make a movie and remove the Alien Prefix because only Alien Fans would know the movie connects to Alien Franchise, and Prometheus.

So for a ALIEN Movie it has to link to Aliens, and related events and so by that maybe yes it has to have XENOMORPHS especially if its going to directly link to ALIEN but also a ALIEN movie could delve into the ENGINEERS they certainly are Alien, but what also could be touched upon as a Alien Theme is the BLACK-GOO and also what other RACES have the Engineers created or who CREATED them.

Two movies solely based on Weyland-Yutani and Rogue AI they created would not contribute to a ALIEN movie.

I agree with BigDave, everyone is overreacting and assuming A LOT. Let the guy do what he does best and what's best for the narrative. 

Prometheus - Not enough Aliens!1!!

Covenant - We didn't want Aliens/Not how I like my Aliens!1!!!1

Covenant 2 - Why is he rejecting Aliens!1!!!???

Make up your minds people, beggers can't be choosers. Prometheus was always a marriage between Alien and Blade Runner and since David is *the Ripley* of these prequels it makes sense the path Ridley has chosen. Also he never said the new film wouldn't feature the titular beast but that they aren't the focus as there is a larger mythology at play that is far more interesting and fresher than the same old shtick.

Has there been any word on filming date of David 3? 

Breaking!

Xenomorph says he will do another Alien movie with no AI and no Ridley.

I think we need to take heed of RS previous comments, as he could well have given a lot of clues to where this is going and indeed the Xenomorph has been done over and over, and can we really have another TWO movies where we see as he put it... Face Hugging and Chest Bursting?

Alien Covenants Failings was not the Xenomorph, it was how the Xenomorph was never used, like the Engineers they all seemed to be pushed to the side to follow the Evolution and Story Arc of DAVID and while this could be ok as the Alien Franchise was pushed about RIPLEYS Story Arc, they cant have it as just a DAVID Prequel Franchise.

But you have to agree with RS as far as once you keep going back to the Xenomorph it would become overused...  But he can not diverge from the Path, not if we are going to LITERALLY end up at the BACK-END of ALIEN

If RS continues the Path that David is the Xenomorph CREATOR then we have to remember we have some way to go before Alien, with a 18 year Gap to cover a few events...  The next Installment is likely to show David going to Origae-6 but i think it will by-pass a lot of the ON THE WAY section but then i feel the Next Installment will have to show us HOW Davids Xenomorphs EVOLVE and WHO/WHEN/WHY they end up in their THOUSANDS on a ENGINEER Ship that happens to end up very close to LV-223

So the 3rd movie in this NEW Prequel Series would certainly i feel have to connect to the Space Jockey Event and explain how Davids Creation ended up on LV-426. I cant see them dragging it out for more than TWO movies, because doing so with NO Xenomorph/Space Jockey Answers may put a lot of Fans off.

But you can see whats building up, where it the Questions of WHY/WHEN that are more important than the HOW and so if we are TWO MOVIES away from Alien, and the Final One will give us those ANSWERS then indeed having the next movie introduce and show the Xenomorph too much could leave it Watered Down for the Finally.

I dont think RS is going the whole AI route, not as in directly as far as WY Androids and MUTHUR Computer Systems, i think while they will be explored, we need to take note that this is a ALIEN Franchise and i feel RS will be pulling in the ENGINEERS into the Story at the Climax or 3rd Act of the Next Movie that sets up the missing pieces to ALIEN as the only pieces we have YET is those Face Huggers on the Covenant and by Coincidence Thousands of Colonist.

I wish we could get a confirmation if he is writing David 3 to be the final before Alien 1 or is there going to be a David 4 in his mind and planning. I am also curious where Fox will take the newly developed Alien mythology in the future with a new non-senile director in years to come. 

Well i think the Big Question now is this....

Do FOX give RS full reign of where he wants to go? or do they take on board negative reaction from the Fans?

It appears the Xenomorph was shoe-horned in to please Fans disappointed at the lack of Xenomorph in Alien, but also due to the growing interest in ALIEN 5 with the disappointment of Alien Covenant compared to Prometheus, i think RS could be suggesting they need look at the differences of both movies.  The Big Difference RS may think is the lack of the Xenomorph, but this is  mistake because it was not because Alien Covenant had Xenomorphs, its the way they was handled.. The Xenomorph was brushed away much like the Engineers.  

RIDLEY SCOTT and FOX need to Remember the Reasons for doing  PREQUEL..

This was that NO movie in the Franchise ever Answered the Question regarding the Derelict and its Cargo.

1) WHY was the Space Jockey Carrying the Cargo.

2) WHERE did the Cargo come from.

These TWO fundamental Questions lead us to as far as 1) Who the Space Jockey Race are and their Purpose and Agenda and 2) Where did the Xenomorph Originate from.

And so these TWO lead us to ENGINEERS and XENOMORPHS where the connection is the BLACK GOO what Alien Covenant did was push aside these more in Favor of what a Rogue AI would do with the  Black Goo, and RS is touching upon the WHY more than the HOW but i feel while this is a interesting point they can not deviate away too much from the Engineers a ALIEN movie has to thus cover the Engineers and maybe give us some reason for how the Black Goo came about... it does not have to feature the Xenomorph, but it has to set up so the next one will introduce the Classic Xenomorph.

I'd take a David 3 over a Ripley 5 any day. Ridley said the Engineers would be back for the next one and now that the Xenos are on the table who knows how the next film will turn out. I'm expecting a clash of sorts.

True Dave. I can't see Fox not interjecting again. Question, how do they take the pulse of fans? How do they know what we want; what is the forum? Can you imagine if RS takes the series completely away from Engineers and Xeno and it literally is like a Bladerunner movie? lol

BigDave, I disagree about how the Xenos were brushed to the side in A:C. The creature was prevalent throughout the whole film if you count the Neomorph (which is really just an under-developed Xeno). Ridley hasn't forgotten the question, if you watch his latest interview he brings the Space Jockey question up as the whole point of the prequels.

Maybe he meant they were rushed and really had nothing to do with the plot in terms of understanding them. They were they to please fans but they were rushed and used in a lazy manner with no suspenseful build-up or plot. 

They were essential to the plot. David is looking to create the "Perfect Organism", much like his creator Peter Weyland. But unlike Weyland and his creators, he's looking to create something that will withstand the tests of time and mortality. He found the Enigneers work and is perfecting what they have done. As to the suspense, that is subjective as I found it suspenseful but to each their own. Like the Neomorph births were well-done and the action set pieces.

@Critters5

Ridley Scott had said he could make as much as 6 movies within the Franchise, even mentioning he wishes to go the whole WAR of the WORLDS on us.... but at this time he also said the Franchise has to be about HIM (Xenomorph)

I think what FOX/RS need to do is drive us into the Back Door of ALIEN and give us those Answers, and then it leaves him free to explore NONE Xenomorphs in other movies. I think we sometimes forget the Biggest Clues that are there for us to SEE.

Ridley Scott seems to think the WHY the Xenomorph was created is more important than showing Xenomorphs Chest Bursting out of people LEFT, RIGHT and CENTER Prometheus began to cover this for us, showing us the Space Jockey (Engineers) are Genetic Space Gardeners and they experimented with the Black Goo to use on Mankind we never got a CRYSTAL CLEAR reason WHY but this looked something that would be answered in a sequel.....  But down the Line RS felt that actually having it as our own Creation (David) is the one behind it and WHY is something that Interest Ridley Scott more.

There are a lot of clues to where this is going that people overlook, the Weyland Prologue is a great set up for this, so to is when we look at HOW/WHY the Engineers were preserved as GODS the answers are staring us in the FACE to where RS is going....  We have to look at WHY David is doing what he is doing, and you can see the way he was treated by Weyland and people like Holloway have molded him into the kind of Robot that he is.  Alien Covenant showed us that David started to have a lot of Care towards Miss Elisabeth Shaw

We then need to take a look at RS and his comments regarding WHAT KIND of a World would David build?

If this movie is to not feature much about the Xenomorphs, then this rules out David merely using the Colonist to be turned ONE-BY-ONE into EGGS and also David is off to Origae-6 and i think another clue is when WALTER (David)  replied to Daniels when she asked WHAT KIND of a World they can now build... his reply "if they are kind it will be a kind world"  i think this here is the ROUTE that we are being taken.

We also need to look at the Reason for David Bombing the Engineers and his Hatred of Mankind, "They are a dying species, grasping for resurrection, They don't deserve to start again and I'm not going to let them."

David sees the Error of Mankinds ways, and it could be possible he actually has a change of heart and decides to maybe give the Covenant Colonist a Fresh Start, i also think he will come up with a Elaborate Excuse for the loss of the Colonist during the Solar Storm, and pass himself off as a Savior to those Colonist.  So i can see us arrive at a New Colony set up where David will be seen as Walter and then i think we will see signs of David wishing to take control over Mankind and i think some event will trigger David realizing that these Humans are also the same as ones he has dealt with or they discover the truth.

The Alien Covenant Prequel also gives some hints to where its going too....  The group wishing to SABOTAGE the Mission were Afraid that Mankinds Deep Exploration could end up getting us NOTICED by other ALIEN Races and cause them to come to Earth.    And so i also see THIS being explored were for some REASON the Engineers never returned and left us to BE...

Why? maybe we will find out?

But the Antics of Mankind going to that PLACE (LV-223) believing it was a Invitation has lead to the Events that lead David to Bombard those Engineers and this ACTION could now have DIRE Consequences for Mankind.

@Lawrence of Arabia

Your replies are hitting the Nail on the head as to the point i was trying to make, its about the WHY and so when i meant the Xenomorph, i meant the One David created it was not handled well enough apart from to show HOW and WHY it was created.

The Problem was Alien Covenant was trying to cover too much, that it could not fully do justice to every element, a movie that would require better use of the Xenomorph and Neomorph and cover the Engineers a bit more would have required at least 3 hours.

Everything Xeno/Neo Morph related happened a bit to quick, I dont think having them was a mistake, it was just there was too much going on to really do them justice.

It appeared purely to be a case of LOOK this a Egg, LOOK this is a Face Hugger, LOOK this is a Xenomorph and LOOK how it goes around killing the Covenant Crew and SEE David Created it. But really this comes down to restraints of a running time for a Movie...

Alien Covenant would have worked better if it was  SPLIT into TWO movies but off course it would mean many more would need to be done to get to those ANSWERS in Alien which a lot of Fans Want and so a lot of Shoe-horning and brushing aside some things (not revealing much detail) has to be done.

Didn't Fox say they were going greatly shrink the funding for David 3? How do you see that playing out Bigdave?