Alien Prequel To Be Written

Posted on July 31, 2009 | by admin


Wow, this is shocking. I can’t believe they’re doing this. Variety is reporting…

“Twentieth Century Fox is resuscitating its “Alien” franchise. The studio has hired Jon Spaihts to write a prequel that has Ridley Scott attached to return as director.

Spaihts got the job after pitching the studio and Scott Free, which will produce the film.

The film is set up to be a prequel to the groundbreaking 1979 film that Scott directed. It will precede that film, in which the crew of a commercial towing ship returning to Earth is awakened and sent to respond to a distress signal from a nearby planetoid. The crew discovers too late that the signal generated by an empty ship was meant to warn them.”

Read the rest of the story at Variety.

If you’re not familiar with Joh Spaihts, it just so happens I reviewed one of his scripts here on Scriptshadow. To check that out, go here!

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  • Milan

    Well…at least Scott is directing, so there is a hope the film will be good. I started “Passengers” but never read it to the end, I hope the “Alien”-script will be out there soon.

  • Milan

    @ Carson: Fan of the “Alien”-movies? :)

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02163221455899041141 Emily Blake

    This could be so awesome or it could be so very awful. I don’t think it will be mediocre.

  • Anonymous

    At least Scott is doing it, and he’s at a point in his career where I don’t think he has to do it… so maybe he’ll push as hard to make it great as he did the first film.

  • Anonymous

    Having read both Spaihts’ “Shadow 19″ and “Passengers”, I’m just… shocked. Both of those were good concepts that were poorly-executed in every respect: structure, dialogue, character, absolutely devoid of strong themes, and lacking in any sort of real tension or stakes. If his name were thrown into the mix on an open assignment I wouldn’t even take a meeting with him. Scott Free either has some seriously bad executives or Spaihts has some seriously good representation.

  • Anonymous

    PASSENGERS was not a very good script. But Ridley will make sure he shoots the script he wants. He has people like Monahan, Zallian and Helgeland in his back pocket. I’m guessing that Spaiht will not be the only writer on the project of something this important. He might have had a good take, but from the one script I read, his execution was not interesting or exciting. PASSESNGERS was a very bland script. I always felt like the two leads were teenagers for some reason.

  • Anonymous

    He should have Ingelsby take a crack at it. I’d like to read that.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08439555051697115476 Carson Reeves

    I love Alien. Though I saw it when I was really young so it freaked the hell out of me. I wonder what they’re going to do here. Is the “prequel” talk code for “reimagining”?

  • Anonymous

    After the AvP nonsense, I see it as a reboot. I think getting Scott on board was an olive branch to fans and pretty much anyone who liked that first couple of films.

  • Anonymous

    It would be cool to see a young Ripley do a lot of ass kicking. The very few women who actually do action films are not very successful. But this has a built-in fan base, so…

  • karaff

    I thought Passengers was an excellent script and based on that I think Spaihts can turn in a rocking story for the Alien prequel.

    I wonder if it will be titled “Alie”.

  • Anonymous

    I wonder if it will be titled “Alie”.

    LOL.

  • http://www.yahoo.com SAM

    Anonymous:

    If its a prequel then we won’t see a young Ripley doing anything.

    SAM

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08439555051697115476 Carson Reeves

    The way they’re doing things now though, you can take pre-existing characters and do whatever you want with them, regardless of how it fits into the mythology. So we may yet see Ripley again!

  • Mike

    Wow. I just finished “Passengers”. It is a fantastic script. Sorry Carson, for the first time since I began reading your reviews I have to disagree with you.

    In fact, I think your review is inaccurate. The script does a very good job of explaining how the hibernation pod malfunction happens and weaves the reason wonderfully into the story to give justification for Jim’s creepy stalking behavior in Act I.

    Anyhoooo, I was a bleh when I heard this Alien prequel news, but now that I read Passengers I am very intrigued.

  • Anonymous

    Did IQs just drop while I was away?

    It amazes me that two people can look at the same script and see completely different things. In my opinion, PASSENGERS, by Spaihts, is a brilliant script. Well written, well structured, wonderful characterizations, sharp, in character dialogue. I could go on and on, but it would be pointless. Furthermore, I think an ALIEN prequel is an excellent idea. And that Jon Spaihts is the perfect writer to tackle it, and having Ridley Scott on board, well, that just about raises the project to Defcon One. Fuck, I can’t wait!

    I’ve come to the conclusion that folks who can’t see that PASSENGERS is an excellent script, and that Spaihts is a terrific writer, just don’t get It. Yes, I wrote that with a capital “I”. At the very best, they’re forever stuck at that level just below working pro. Forever reading, and, if they’re diligent, writing scripts that are “pretty good.” But they just don’t have that something extra that gives them a voice that lifts them above the pack. That includes you, Carson. Those who can, do. Those who can’t, teach. And, apparently, those who can’t teach, blog about it.

    Carson, I think your journalistic voice is one of the best I’ve heard in a long time. You’ve got a gift, and you’re using it well. Which is why it baffles me how you often can’t see awesomeness when it’s sitting right on the page in front of your nose.

    btw, why isn’t INGLOURIROUS BASTERDS in your top 25? I mean, it hasn’t opened wide to the public, yet, so it’s fair game, isn’t it? BASTERDS easily has to be one of the top 25 over the last year and a half.

    I was fortunate enough to catch an early screening of the film Wednesday night, and it’s amazing. Although I believe Brad Pitt is miscast, thank goodness the fulcrum of the story falls upon the sensuous shoulders of the effortlessly stunning Melanie Laurent, who plays Shoshanna (or Shosanna, depending on who you ask). Did you just forget this script, Carson? Or can you just not see how good it is?

  • Anonymous

    Basterds is a mess. The Basterds themselves have no purpose in the film and don’t do much of anything. The story of the movie theater revenge would have made a really cool thriller on its own, but Tarantino tried to combine that story with the Basterds one, and they both end up unsatisfying.

    It’s Tarantino, so it’s got a strong voice, some surprises, some fantastic suspense sequences, and some funny bits, but it’s also indulgent as hell (as all his movies since Pulp have been).

    It’s still a good script, no doubt, but far from one of the best in the last year and a half.

    It’s pretty jerkish to assume that if someone doesn’t like Passengers they are can’t be a working writer, or that Carson’s blogging because he can’t write OR teach.

    So while we’re being jerks, let me just say that only an infantile mind resorts to this kind of shallow “if you can’t create, you can’t criticize” way of thinking that is so prevalent on the internet.

    Criticism is an art form in and of itself. Pauline Kael never wrote a great film. That doesn’t invalidate her criticism.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08439555051697115476 Carson Reeves

    I actually haven’t read Inglorious Basterds. I believe Tarantino movies are the kind of movies that need to be seen. Therefore, I usually wait for the film. — I don’t think you can say that people who don’t like Passengers don’t get “it.” I don’t think you can say that about any script. Taste plays such a huge part in it. And since we’re all the sum of our experiences and our experiences are so varied, unique, and complicated, anybody can hate anything, no matter how “great” it is.

  • Anonymous

    Carson, you’re so nice to assholes.

  • Anonymous

    Did I mention, Carson, that other than having a great journalistic voice, you’re also a classy guy? I tend to get carried away when I read a great script and others just can’t see it. Mea Culpa.

    Anon 2:43 pm

  • Anonymous

    JJ says:

    The secret weapon of the Alien series was always Walter Hill and David Giler….they signed off on Jim Cameron’s script for the second film, gave the third what little coherancy and shape it had, and wrote the shooting draft of the first film, really setting the tone for everything that followed. Once you become even vaugly familiar with Hill’s voice as a writer, you immediatly feel his presence in Alien; and when you actually READ a draft of Alien it’s written in that famous minimalist, haiku style he was using in the 70s.

    Once Giler and Hill were no longer directly involved, we got the 4th film and the AVP movies. And the series crashed and burned like the Marine’s dropship.

    All that being said, the idea of William Monohan working on an Alien film–even uncredited–is a deeply exciting and intriguing one.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • Anonymous

    Actually a good portion of the blame for Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection can be laid at Sigourney Weaver’s feet. According to Cameron, she’s the one who wanted no weapons, wanted Ripley to die and wanted to make love to the alien. Cameron wisely nixed those ideas, but they ended up in the next two films and Weaver is credited as co-producer in both. Coincidence that they both stunk? I don’t think so.

    Also, though Hill and Giler did a good job on the rewrite of Alien, they’re also responsible for the Godawfulness of Alien 3. Their script for the film is so full of plot holes that it could double as a cheese grater.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    “Having read both Spaihts’ “Shadow 19″ and “Passengers”, I’m just… shocked. Both of those were good concepts that were poorly-executed in every respect: structure, dialogue, character, absolutely devoid of strong themes, and lacking in any sort of real tension or stakes. If his name were thrown into the mix on an open assignment I wouldn’t even take a meeting with him. Scott Free either has some seriously bad executives or Spaihts has some seriously good representation.”

    ———————————————-

    To the 5th Anonymous reply:

    Wow! It amazes me how some people miss the entire point, such as yourself. It’s okay to not like the Passengers script – as it indeed does come down to taste. But when you take cheap pot-shots at the writer himself, just because he got a gig you could only ever dream about, it comes off as being a little tired. I’m sure Scott Free have wonderful execs and Spaihts has wonderful reps.

    I guess that’s why they’re in the movie biz, making the movies they love, and you’re not.

    I wish Spaihts the best of luck. Getting into a room to pitch to these guys is an accomplishment in itself, let alone winning a pitch and scoring a gig with Ridley.

    And for the record: I enjoyed Passengers. ;-)

  • Anonymous

    Well put, Tarson. I sometimes wonder if we’re all reading the same scripts.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    This comment has been removed by the author.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    Indeed. Just goes to show how subjective all this stuff really is.

    A finished script – in any form – is a huge accomplishment. Writing is hard. I tip my hat to anyone ballsy enough to take a stab at it.

    In all honestly, I read Spaihts’ other spec SHADOW 19 and felt it read more like a video game than a movie. But there’s no denying, he really does know how to write sci-fi – hence the reason he got the gig.

    I for one will be looking forward to reading his take on the franchise.

    Peace.

  • Anonymous

    Spaihts’ PASSENGERS was not a terrible script- far from it. It’s not perfect, but lots of people thought it packed an emotional punch which is more than you can say for 95% of the scipts out there.

    SHADOW 19 isn’t as strong, & it’s almost unfilmable, but it has some cool ideas in it.

    Both scripts show Spaihts to be a good, imaginative writer, in command of his craft. I would read anything of his, including the new ALIEN.

    It’s sad how the studio has raped the ALIEN franchise over the years. Hopefully this project will redeem the franchise a bit.

  • Anonymous

    Wanted to add…

    I love ALIEN 3. I like even better than Cameron’s ALIENS.

    Never understood why people trash it so hard. It’s pretty solid movie & Fincher did a good job. I like the prison setting and the dynamic between Ridley and the men.

    Anon 7:17

  • Anonymous

    Edit: make that “Ripley and the men”.

    – Anon 7:17

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    I agree. Alien 3 is an underrated gem in my opinion. Considering all the bullshit Fincher went through to get it made, it turned out ok.

    Far from great, but ok.

    Back then, no one understood Fincher’s dark take on the franchise. And a lot of people were expecting another ‘Aliens’ movie. Fincher kind of made everyone go WTF?! Fox clearly had another movie in mind – as opposed to what Fincher had. They meddled with the script, and gave Fincher such a hard time, he nearly gave up his career in feature film.

    20th Century Fox are notorious for interfering with directors and scripts – even weeks/months after shotting has begun.

    AVP is a great concept – and the comics and video games are waaaay more compelling than the films, but the franchise does need a reboot – badly, and who better person than Ridley Scott to give it the jumpstart it needs. And as much as I like the Beattie’s, Logan’s, Kurtzman’s and Orci’s of the screenwriting world, I like the fact that a new, younger, unproduced writer got the job.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/02957497301088190235 Tarson Meads

    Oh – but that’s not to say he’ll be the sole credit on the finished film. My bet is that they’ll get at least half a dozen A-list writers to add their tweak on the script, way before any cameras begin rolling.

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08439555051697115476 Carson Reeves

    Hmm, Shadow 19 review in the future?

  • Anonymous

    Where is the Script Challenge for this month or rather, where is the script for it? Or is that also killed off by copyright concerns?

  • http://www.blogger.com/profile/08439555051697115476 Carson Reeves

    Killed off by copyright issues. But I have an idea to keep it going. Stay tuned.

  • Anonymous

    Corona’s Coming Attractions has an article about the four story options they think the new Alien movie could go:

    http://coronacomingattractions.com/news/directors-cut-four-ideas-ridley-scotts-new-alien-movie

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