Posting some concept art on-line, filmmaker Neill Blomkamp parlayed his reimagining of the Alien franchise into a directing gig on a brand new sequel in the series. It is reported that Blomkamp will continue the story of Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver,) which takes place directly after James Cameron’s Aliens. The former follow-up sequels Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection will be sidelined and ignored.
On a press junket for his soon to be released action-sci-fi-thriller Chappie, Blomkamp and Weaver shared that they intend to give Ellen Ripley a “proper finish.” Blomkamp stated.
“I want this film to feel like it’s literally the genetic sibling of Aliens. So it’s Alien, Aliens, and then this movie.”
“I would love to take Ripley out of orbiting around in space, and give a proper finish to her story,” commented Weaver.
There is a different feel to Alien and Aliens. Alien was more of a suspense-horror film, while Aliens was more of an action-horror picture. Blomkamp wants to recapture the sinister tone of Alien, which was originally pitched as “Jaws in space.”
Blomkamp commented, “It’s a Freudian nightmare. That element to me is what is so appealing. To try to put the audience on the edge of their seat, in a traditional ‘monster stalking you in a dark corridor way.'”
Fans may or may not agree with the abolishment of Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection, but it would give the franchise a much needed boost and a chance to reinvent itself.
Blomkamp’s Alien film is tentatively scheduled for release sometime in 2017. Chappie will arrive in theaters on March 6th.
Sources: IGN, IMDb