**Sir Ridley Scott Bids Farewell to the Alien Franchise, Declares ‘I Think I’ve Done Enough’**
Acclaimed director Sir Ridley Scott has announced that his journey with the iconic ‘Alien’ film franchise has come to a close, marking the end of an era for both the filmmaker and fans of the science-fiction horror series. At 87, the celebrated British filmmaker reflected on his longstanding relationship with the sinister Xenomorph universe, sharing candid thoughts about the legacy he leaves behind.
Scott, who originally directed the ground-breaking 1979 ‘Alien’ film, revolutionised the science-fiction genre with its harrowing atmosphere and memorable imagery. Despite stepping away from the franchise after the original, he later returned to helm the 2012 prequel ‘Prometheus’, followed by ‘Alien: Covenant’ in 2017. Speaking in a recent interview with Screen Rant, Sir Ridley stated, “Where it’s going now, I think I’ve done enough, and I just hope it goes further.” This statement has put a gentle yet unmistakable full stop on his involvement with the franchise he helped create.
Recalling his decision to revisit the ‘Alien’ universe years after his original film, Scott spoke of how he and writer Damon Lindelof built ‘Prometheus’ from scratch, crafting a fresh narrative with the aim of breathing new life into the story. “It was very present and very welcome. The audience really wanted more. I said, ‘It needs to fly.’ No one was coming for it, and I went once again and made ‘Alien: Covenant’, and it worked too,” Scott explained.
Following his original directorial outing, the ‘Alien’ series underwent a variety of reinterpretations by other high-profile directors. James Cameron’s action-packed sequel ‘Aliens’ in 1986 remains one of the most acclaimed instalments, while David Fincher’s darker, third chapter arrived in 1992. French filmmaker Jean-Pierre Jeunet took the reins for 1997’s ‘Alien: Resurrection.’ The franchise later branched out with crossover films alongside the ‘Predator’ franchise, including ‘Alien vs Predator’ in 2004 and its sequel in 2007.
Scott candidly offered his perspective on these subsequent interpretations, stating, “I think mine was pretty damn good, and I think Jim’s was good, and I have to say the rest were not very good.” He lamented the creative direction the franchise took, remarking, “I thought, ‘That’s the end of a franchise which should be as important as ‘Star Trek’ or ‘Star Wars’.”
Giving further insight into the origins of the original ‘Alien’, Scott shared an anecdote about the project’s early development. Despite his now-legendary status, he revealed that he was far from the studio’s first choice to direct the film. “I was the fifth choice… Why you offered Robert Altman ‘Alien’, God only knows. Altman said, ‘Are you kidding? I’m not going to do this,’ and I went, ‘Are you kidding? I have to do this’, because it borders and verges on heavy metal,” Scott recalled, reflecting on his initial enthusiasm for the project.
He also cited his fascination with the work of French comics artist Jean Giraud Moebius as a key inspiration. “Because designer is in my blood and DNA, I just knew what to do with it,” Scott explained, emphasising how his visual sensibilities shaped the now iconic aesthetic of the original film.
Scott’s influence has undoubtedly left a lasting mark on the franchise, with the original ‘Alien’ and Cameron’s sequel often cited as definitive works in both science fiction and horror cinema. Despite his decision to step back, he expressed hope that the series would continue to evolve creatively under new stewardship.
As Sir Ridley Scott moves on, speculation will likely continue regarding the future of the ‘Alien’ franchise. With new projects rumoured and fan interest undimmed, it remains to be seen what direction this storied series will take next—now without the guiding hand of the filmmaker who first brought its terrifying vision to life.