Ridley Scott Reflects On ‘Alien’ Franchise Challenges, Accepts Partial Responsibility

Ridley Scott, the visionary director behind the groundbreaking 1979 film Alien, has taken a moment to reflect on the ups and downs of the franchise he helped create. 

In a recent interview with Deadline, Scott acknowledged his role in some of the series’ shortcomings while discussing the evolution of the iconic sci-fi saga over the past 45 years.

Scott’s Alien redefined sci-fi horror with its tense, claustrophobic atmosphere and minimal reliance on action or gore. The franchise took a turn in 1986 when James Cameron directed the sequel, Aliens, which leaned heavily into action. 

Scott praised Cameron’s work, calling it “a very good sequel,” but noted that subsequent installments failed to capture the essence of the original films.

“Three and four became more and more difficult,” Scott said. “As it unrolled, I thought, ‘Oh God, they’re [messing] it up.’ And then from that, honestly, I said, okay, that’s done.”

Scott attempted to reignite the series in 2012 with Prometheus, a prequel that sought to explore the origins of the Xenomorph while delving into existential themes. Initially marketed as a standalone story, the film’s ties to Alien were later revealed, leading to mixed reactions. 

Scott followed up with Alien: Covenant in 2017, aiming to bridge the gap between Prometheus and the original film. Despite his efforts, fan reception was lukewarm, and plans for a prequel trilogy stalled.

Reflecting on this period, Scott admitted to losing control of the franchise. “We were asleep at the wheel,” he said. “My advisors, who frankly no longer are with me, were asleep at the wheel, certainly. And I partly blame myself, except I was busy making other films. And so it was let go, and it shouldn’t have been.”

Despite past missteps, the franchise has recently shown signs of revival. This year’s Alien: Romulus performed well at the box office and received strong reviews, proving there is still an appetite for Xenomorph tales. 

Looking ahead, Noah Hawley’s TV series Alien: Earth is set to debut in 2025, marking the first installment set on Earth and raising high expectations among fans.

For Scott, the enduring popularity of the series underscores its cultural significance. As he put it, “There’s life in the beast, yet.”