The Unfortunate Fate of Alien: Covenant and the Missing Sequel

The Unfinished Story of Alien: Covenant

Alien: Covenant, the sequel to Prometheus, left fans eagerly anticipating the next chapter in Ridley Scott's Alien prequel franchise. However, the anticipated sequel that would have provided closure to David's story and bridged the gap to the original Alien films never materialized. This absence of a sequel has left the Alien prequel duology incomplete and has raised questions about the direction of the franchise.

An image of the David inspecting an object in Prometheus

Ridley Scott's vision for the Alien prequels introduced new ideas and expanded the mythology of the franchise. Prometheus and Covenant delved into the origins of the Xenomorph species and explored the enigmatic character of David, portrayed by Michael Fassbender. Despite their ambitious narrative, these films failed to capture the essence of the original Alien (1979) and left fans yearning for a more cohesive connection to the iconic series.

A custom image featuring David and the Xenomorph in Alien Covenant

The narrative of Prometheus and Covenant centered around David's quest for understanding and his role in creating a new species. The films grossed a combined $664 million, signaling the audience's interest in the expanded universe of the Alien franchise. However, the absence of a conclusive sequel has left a void in the narrative, rendering the prequels incomplete and raising concerns about the future direction of the franchise.

The Implications of an Unfulfilled Sequel

More than six years after the release of Alien: Covenant, it has become evident that a third installment in Ridley Scott's Alien prequel franchise is unlikely to materialize. Despite the success of the previous films, Scott has shifted his focus to other projects, leaving the fate of David's story and the Xenomorph origins unresolved.

The absence of a sequel has left the Alien prequels feeling incomplete and has cast a shadow over the narrative arc that began with Prometheus. While Disney's upcoming Alien movie is positioned as a reboot, it remains unclear whether it will address the unresolved plot threads from the prequels. This uncertainty has left fans disheartened, as the potential for a cohesive conclusion to David's story and the connection to the original Alien films remains unfulfilled.

The revelation of the origins of the Xenomorph and its connection to humanity, albeit unnecessary to some, held promise for a compelling resolution. However, without a definitive conclusion, the prequels, particularly Alien: Covenant, lose their intrigue and fail to provide a satisfying narrative closure. The significant gap between Covenant and the events of the original Alien films remains unexplored, leaving fans craving a resolution that may never materialize on the big screen.

The Unfulfilled Vision of Ridley Scott's Alien Prequels

In discussions about the proposed sequel to Alien: Covenant, Ridley Scott outlined the potential for a conclusive exploration of the Alien origin story. The third installment in the Prometheus-Covenant franchise was expected to delve into David's pivotal role in creating the Xenomorph species, providing a definitive link to the events of the original Alien (1979). Scott's vision aimed to resolve the timeline discrepancies and reshape the narrative continuity of the franchise, setting the stage for a new era in the Alien universe.

The absence of a sequel has left fans pondering the unresolved mysteries surrounding the Nostromo's mission on LV-426 and the enigmatic connection between David's storyline and the events of Alien (1979). A potential Covenant sequel held the promise of bridging the narrative gaps and offering a fresh perspective on the franchise's mythology. However, the absence of this conclusion has left the Alien prequels in limbo, with the fate of David's storyline and the Xenomorph origins remaining shrouded in uncertainty.

The conceptual retcon of the Alien franchise, particularly the revelation of David as the creator of the Xenomorph, introduced a bold and controversial narrative shift. While it promised to reshape the franchise's mythology, the absence of a conclusive sequel has left fans with unresolved questions and a sense of unfulfilled potential. The missed opportunity to conclude the Alien prequel saga has raised concerns about the future direction of the franchise and the possibility of redefining its narrative continuity.