This is neither terribly surprising or hugely informative, but Empire has an interesting discussion with Neill Blomkamp about the self-exploration and thought processes which lead him to become fully invested in his new ALIEN movie.
Of particular note is one sentence in the interview…
Then I started to realise there was a whole film – at least a film, if not more – that still contained Ripley, which I was really surprised by.
...says Blomkamp HERE. You can hear the same via the embed below.
So, potentially, this isn’t just a standalone undertaking. Whatever they do - may be more substantive than just being a ‘one last hurrah!’ sorta thing. I.e. potentially a franchise revitalization?
I’m racking my brain trying to figure out what the angle is here - beyond retcon, I mean. Presuming his recent comments about not wanting to undo ALIEN 3 and ALIEN RESURRECTION hold water, trying to figure out how to reconcile what appears to be a Ripley/Hicks story with the (as-presented) timeline of ALIENS and ALIEN 3. Unless, something happens to Sulaco between the end of ALIENS and the opening of ALIEN 3? Events we didn’t see and weren’t even alluded to? But, this would fly in the face of giving Ripley ‘a proper ending’- as Blomkamp’s new film/films would therefore need to leave Ripley alive for further adventures, thus undercutting the ‘ending’ they say they’re wanting to bring to that character.
It’s enough to drive one mad.
Ah, well. As long as the new movie feels something like this…
…everything will be shiny.
————
Glen Oliver
“Merrick”
