A Franchise at a Crossroads
The Alien film series is currently pursuing three distinct paths that threaten to dilute its impact. While Fede Álvarez’s recent work and Noah Hawley’s television project have successfully revitalized interest in the property, a new development suggests the return of a more divisive approach. Ridley Scott recently announced plans to create a follow-up to his 2017 feature Alien: Covenant. This project intends to continue the story of David, the murderous android portrayed by Michael Fassbender, exploring his actions after the events of the previous film.
Scott stated the upcoming narrative focuses on David creating a new world for himself. He characterized the nature of artificial intelligence as a potential bomb that can go off without warning. This announcement comes after years of shifting plans. During the original release of Covenant in 2017, Scott suggested he would produce several more prequels to bridge the gap toward the 1979 original. He later claimed he was finished with the franchise entirely. The return to these specific narrative threads is notable given the mixed reception of his previous installments.
Shifting Priorities in Hollywood
The landscape for the Alien brand is fractured. Alien: Romulus remains a commercial success, with a sequel already in scripting stages under Álvarez. Meanwhile, the television series Alien: Earth provides a different, corporate-focused look at the universe. Managing these three separate visions creates a peculiar situation for the studio. One vision focuses on the visceral, survivalist nature of the xenomorph, while the other prioritizes theological and philosophical musings on the origins of synthetic life.
Fassbender’s character remains a high-profile element of the franchise, yet his presence in two previous films failed to resonate with the broader audience in the same way as the original creature features. The appetite for a third movie centered on his character’s existential ponderings is far from guaranteed. Fans often favor the straightforward, terrifying encounters between humans and the xenomorph over dense, metaphorical android dramas. When an audience expects a creature feature, slow-paced poetry readings often fail to deliver the anticipated experience.
The Problem with Origin Stories
There is a point where detailing the history of a monster diminishes its effectiveness. The terror of the original Alien film relied on the unknown nature of the creature and the hostile environment of space. By explaining every detail of the organism’s creation or the motivations of its potential creators, the mystery evaporates. Over-explaining a nightmare often turns a terrifying experience into something predictable and tedious.
If the studio believes David’s arc is necessary to conclude, television offers a more appropriate format. A limited series allows for the space to flesh out his motivations without forcing audiences to commit to another feature-length film that deviates from the core survival elements. Shifting this specific story to a streaming platform could satisfy those interested in the character while allowing the film franchise to return to its roots. The xenomorph serves its purpose best when it is free to hunt in dark, cramped spaces rather than being relegated to a secondary role in a story about robotic philosophy. The future of the franchise likely depends on whether the studio prioritizes the simple, effective horror that started it all.