Alien’supcoming entry directed by Ridley Scott is already is a stronger position than 2012sPrometheus. With theAlienfranchise actively alive again, the future of the popular sci-fi horror series is bright. But, in the history of the films, the reputation of the films has been a lot more volatile. Initially, the 1979 Alien movie directed by Ridley Scott was incredibly popular.
Then, seven years later in 1986, James Cameron was brought in to direct the sequel,Aliens, which gained similar praise and fanfare from audiences and critics alike. However,Alien 3andAlien: Resurrectiondid not manage to climb to the same heights of popularity, and it seems that the franchise was well and truly extinct by 1997. So, whenScott was announced as the director for another sequel, there was a lot riding on the back ofPrometheusfor thefuture of theAlienmovies.
Prometheus' Mixed Reception Was Partly Due To Huge Expectations Over Ridley Scott’s Alien Return
There Were High Hopes For Prometheus From The Start
As outlined above, Alien underwent a lot of changes and developments as a franchise. Theoriginal film appeared to grow in popularitysince it’s debut in 1979, becoming hugely influential and paving the way for other sci-fi horror stories to be told. However, at the time, Scott was still a relatively unknown director with very little experience to his name. That is why the sequel was handed to James Cameron, as Scott remained a lesser known director.
Ridley Scott’s Dream Movie That Has Yet To Happen Sounds Way More Exciting Than Another Alien Movie
Ridley Scott’s dream Western movie would be much better than another Alien movie as it would enable the director to explore a new and different genre.
But, when the series was being revived in the early 2010s, Scott had become immensely more popular thanks to his work onBlade Runner,Thelma & Louise,Gladiator,Hannibal,American Gangsterand so much more. His talents for working in a variety of genres and creating incredible epic stories meant hisreturn toAlienwas hailed as the start of a new erafor a franchise that had dwindled into obscurity. However,whenPrometheusdebuted, the tonal shift and new narrative focus was a jarring move that created confusion among fans.
Prometheus' Reputation Has Improved Massively Since The Movie’s Release In 2012
Prometheus Is Aging Like Fine Wine In The Alien Franchise
Despite this, over time, people came to appreciatePrometheusmore for the value and expansion to the lore that it provided theAlienseries of movies. While many people were hoping for something more in line with the jumpscares and intense sci-fi horror of the original movie,Prometheuswas more psychological in its approach. Likely due to the years of storytelling which Scott had embarked on after Alien, as he helped to define compelling character stories and take a closer look at the minds and motives for these heroes and villains.
Hannibalbeing an example of a story where Scott took a deep dive into a definitively monstrous figure, but still found something compelling and engaging about its origin and narrative. This movie and the rest of Scott’s work likely prompted him to want toexplore theorigins of theAlienuniverse, and while this was initially seen as an odd new direction,Prometheusnow stands as one of the most important pillars in the franchise for having built the lore and wider world of the films. Especially considering the subsequent entries that continued to build on this new foundation.
Alien: Romulus Has Reinvigorated Interest In The Franchise
Alien Is Back In The Limelight Decades After It Started
Alien: Covenanttook some of the best parts of Prometheus, such as the android David, and put it into a story that was more similar to the old school movies, with the Xenomorph’s causing irrevocable destruction. However, Fede Álvarez 2024 contribution,Alien: Romulus,did even more tobring the series back to its roots. Romulus was more thoroughly a horror story, with a crew in distress trying to survive the relentless attacks of creatures whose powers and potential for destruction seems impossible to properly measure.
10 Prometheus & Covenant Mysteries Ridley Scott’s New Alien Movie Can Solve
Ridley Scott is making his directorial return to the Alien franchise, and his new film can solve these 10 Prometheus and Covenant mysteries.
While the movie had some aspects that have been criticized, the marketing and build-up to the film were huge. This has seen a seismic shift in the modern audiences' view of theAlienfranchise, and helped to bring some old fans back to the series with renewed vigor. All of which will be a tremendous help and benefit toScott’s upcomingAliensequel. With Scott’s reputation still on the up and up, theAlienfranchise now back in vogue, and excitement at an all-time high, the new movie is already in a far stronger position thanPrometheuswas back in 2012, which could help make the movie a huge success.
Prometheus
Cast
Prometheus, released in 2012, is a science fiction film directed by Ridley Scott. It follows a team of explorers as they uncover clues about humanity’s origins, embarking on a perilous interstellar expedition where they confront formidable challenges to secure the future of mankind.
