Exclusive: Neill Blomkamp's Revealing Insights on the Cancelled Alien Sequel with Sigourney Weaver's Iconic Ripley

Director Neill Blomkamp discusses the emotional impact of the cancellation of his proposed Alien sequel, which would have featured the return of Sigourney Weaver's character, Ellen Ripley. Blomkamp's project was abandoned by 20th Century Fox after the initial pitch, despite high anticipation. In an interview with Empire magazine, the director reflects on his career in the 2010s, including the disappointment of several scrapped projects such as the Alien sequel and two sequels to his film Chappie. Despite the setbacks, Blomkamp used the opportunity to reassess his goals and establish Oats Studio, where he could develop his own ideas. Read Blomkamp's full recollection below.

The projects that have had the greatest impact on my career are the ones that never came to fruition, with Alien being the most significant. If I were more inclined to work within the mainstream film industry, like a director who regularly churns out films for major studios, I could have continued in the US film system. However, as an artist who doesn't conform to the Hollywood game, I made the decision to step away and reassess my approach. Upon my return, I came back with a fresh perspective on how to navigate the world of Hollywood.

How Alien: Xeno Would Have Altered The Franchise's Trajectory

Although Alien: Xeno's development was cut short, it provided valuable insights into how Blomkamp's movie would have changed the series. The concept art not only brought back Ripley, Hicks, and an older Newt, but also suggested a new direction for the narrative by disregarding their deaths in Alien 3. Along with the beloved characters, the concept art showcased new types of Xenomorphs, a jungle setting, different factions of mercenaries, and deadly androids.

Despite the cancellation of Blomkamp's sequel, the franchise continued with Ridley Scott's planned prequels, starting with Alien: Covenant. However, the underwhelming box office numbers of Scott's film led to a hiatus for the franchise under Fox, leaving Scott's plans unfinished. With the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, it was confirmed that several new projects were being developed for the Alien franchise, such as a film directed by Fede Álvarez and a TV series created by Noah Hawley set to air on FX.

Blomkamp's abandoned Alien: Xeno will forever be seen as a lost chance by many dedicated Alien fans. The franchise not only missed the opportunity to showcase the acclaimed science fiction director's vision but also neglected to include Ripley's comeback, which would have seamlessly aligned with the recent returns of other iconic horror characters in films like Halloween (2018) and Scream (2022). While Blomkamp and audiences may lament over the possibilities, this experience has influenced the director's perspective on shaping his future career.