Ridley Scott's "Alien 2": What Could Have Been?
Even though Ridley Scott's 1979 film *Alien* was both a critical and commercial smash hit, he wasn't at the helm for the sequel, *Aliens*. It would be over three decades before Scott returned to the franchise. Ultimately, he directed *Prometheus* (2012) and *Alien: Covenant* (2017), showcasing his vision for the series. The original *Alien* is considered a landmark science fiction achievement.
However, James Cameron directed *Aliens*, released in 1986. This proved to be an inspired choice, building on Cameron's success with *The Terminator*. Just as Scott's film launched the franchise, Cameron's sequel was also a resounding success. Still, it's interesting to consider the reasons why Scott didn't direct the sequel himself.
Why Ridley Scott Passed on "Aliens"
Hesitation to Direct a Sequel Scott, while a great fit for *Alien*, wasn't initially the studio's first choice. He was Brandywine Productions' fourth choice, eventually securing the role after his film *The Duelists* (1977) won an award at Cannes. Despite *Alien*'s success, the studio didn't immediately offer him the sequel. In a 2019 interview, Scott revealed he wasn't asked to direct the sequel, possibly due to his strong opinions during production. More importantly, he wasn't interested in doing sequels at that point. He would have declined even if offered the job. While Scott created *Blade Runner* in the 80s, instead of directing *Aliens*, Scott explored various genres, including action thrillers and historical dramas.
Scott's Vision for "Alien 2"
A Broader Scope Since Scott wasn't keen on directing a sequel, details about his vision for *Aliens* are scarce. However, he hinted at his ideas in interviews. The original *Alien* is a contained horror story aboard the Nostromo. Scott's sequel would have expanded the universe, becoming a larger-scale science fiction epic. According to some reports, Scott wanted to delve into the Xenomorph's origins. This would have involved "different planets, worlds, and civilizations." While the first film thrived on the Xenomorph's mystery, Scott aimed to reveal its beginnings, believing his sequel would be even more compelling.
"Prometheus" as a Glimpse
Scott's Return to the Universe Scott's ideas for an *Alien* sequel materialized in *Prometheus*, the fifth film in the franchise. Unlike the first four films focused on Ripley's encounters with Xenomorphs, *Prometheus* is set earlier in the timeline, answering long-standing questions about the series. *Prometheus* reveals the Engineers created the Xenomorphs and possibly even humans. *Alien: Covenant*, a direct sequel to *Prometheus*, shows David, an android, wiping out the Engineers' civilization, leading to more Xenomorphs. These elements reflect Scott's initial concepts for an *Alien* sequel.
The Long Wait
A Return After Three Decades Scott's disinterest in sequels early in his career, combined with the studio's desire for fresh perspectives, meant he wasn't involved in the *Alien* sequels until *Prometheus*. The mixed reception of *Alien 3* (1992) and *Alien: Resurrection* (1997) possibly paved the way for his return in 2012. Scott is reportedly developing a sequel to *Alien: Covenant*, further exploring the series' mysteries. After over three decades, he felt compelled to delve deeper into the *Alien* universe.
While *Prometheus* is a prequel, it marked his first time expanding on a project he previously worked on, leading to *Alien: Covenant*. Even though James Cameron's *Aliens* was a triumph, it's fascinating to wonder what Scott's *Alien* sequel might have been like had he directed it in the 1980s. *Prometheus* and *Alien: Covenant* explore the grander themes Scott envisioned, dealing with multiple planets and civilizations – ideas constrained by budget in the original *Alien*.