Paul W.S. Anderson writing Alien 6?
Oct 18, 2004 by Vic Holtreman
I don’t know if this is just rumour, but according to sources close to the director, Paul W. S. Anderson (Alien vs. Predator”, “Resident Evil) is slated to write the fifth movie in the Alien franchise. I say “fifth” because I really don’t consider AVP as part of the franchise… I consider that more of an “alternate reality” storyline (to put it as politely as possible).
The word is that Anderson has been asked by Twentieth Century Fox to write a script that fits in with the previously established Alien story. It is unclear whether it will include the Ellen Ripley character (Sigourney Weaver), but I have read elsewhere that she would come back for the right script.
Anderson is not slated to direct at this time.
The phrase that comes to mind when thinking of Twentieth Century Fox’ handling of this franchise is “stupid is as stupid does”. This falls squarely in the “What are they thinking?” category. Take away the fact that Alien vs. Predator really annoyed fans of the Alien series, or that the movie was almost universally panned by critics, and you’re still left with the fact that “AVP” was not a roaring box office success once production and marketing costs are subtracted. Combine domestic and overseas box office and the movie only cleared about $10 million based on an investment of approximately $95 million.
I’m here to tell you that is not the rate of return studios want to see on their investments. Based on that alone you think they’d avoid Anderson by a wide margin.
The really frustrating thing about this is that as recently as 7 months ago, Ridley Scott (director of the first Alien film) was quoted as saying that things were progressing with the film, with him being involved in developing the story. Last year there were rumblings that James Cameron was definitely interested in doing the film.
How did we go from James Cameron and Ridley Scott to Paul Anderson?!?
Grumble…
Source: Dark Horizons
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My best guess is that Ridley Scott and James Cameron were smart enough to see the project for what it was and get out while the getting was good. Anderson, on the other hand, probably needs the paycheck, so he’ll play the game the way the suits want him to play it. Still, with epics such as Event Horizon and Mortal Kombat under his belt, it’s a real mystery how the guy is still allowed on a movie set.
Brian
That’s my point. How does this guy stay employed?
Vic
I really hope that Ridley Scott will make another Alien movie
I’d love to see that myself, but I don’t know if it’s in the cards…
Vic
One of the greatest franchises, that unfortunately has absolutely been shredded. There was a dropoff between Aliens 2 & 3. Nothing like the precipice between 3 & 4. AVP was more Predator than Alien. I’ve been hoping that 1 of the first 3 directors would come back to the fold. However, to my knowledge, I don’t believe that Scott has ever done a sequel. Cameron stopped making films altogether and Fincher, my personal favorite, is probably still jaded toward the franchise from his now underrated Alien 3.
Yeah, the “Alien” franchise has been ground into a fine powder… As far as Fincher goes, I still can’t forgive him for killing off the corporal and the little girl from “Aliens”.
Vic
Vic,
I concur 200% on your feelings of killing off Hicks and Newt…not to mention killing off Ripley herself after everything she had previously survived.
“Alien 3″ was a well crafted film (especially if you watch the Director’s Cut), but it was just…WRONG to do that to the characters.
I’m a fairly firm believer that once Cameron has touched a story it should be hands off for anyone but him to make a sequel to it (that should probably go for a lot of writer/directors now that I think about it).
Dale
I thought that Weaver was the Exec. Producer on Alien 3. Combine that with the fact that you have a first time director in Fincher and you probably have a director who’s control was probably seriously compromised. I heard during a junket at time of release that Weaver did not want to be tied to Ripley her entire career. I can’t imagine that if Weaver didn’t want Ripley to die then Ripley wouldn’t have “died”.
Anonymous is correct on both counts, she did exec produce and didn’t want to be tied to the role (at the time). It certainly didn’t prevent her from playing it again in “Alien Resurrection”.
If you don’t want a play a role there are better ways than accepting a script that kills your character unless you’re “dead” sure you never want to play the role again–or be prepared to pull a “Bobby Ewing in the shower” stunt to bring yourself back.
Further (and in some ways even more aggravating) by casually killing off all the other survivors from “Aliens” you close other avenues. I’d read an early draft script of “Alien 3″ that based the story around Hicks and Bishop, but left the door open for a Ripley return in future movies/stories if (as it came to be) Weaver was interested/coaxed into another film at some point.
I just hate when people (directors, actors, whatever) lock the door, slam it shut, throw away the key and then say, “Oops. I’d like back in.”
Dale
Paul W.S. Anderson – the unholy destroyer of movie-scripts, the man who can single handedly make anything look shocking with a brush of his artistic destruction wand. Resident Evil was a travesty to what the games brought about, to kick the fans when they’re down the studios let him be involved in a sequel, which also SUCKED. So he hops to another franchise and destroys any credibility it had as well (AVP), and now I hear FOX is gonna let him do it again with another installment.
Please God let the madness stop. Please God someone make a law that prevents Paul W.S. Anderson from a) writing scripts b) coming within 200 yards of any film set anywhere in the world.
Lewis, the problem is that when all is said and done (domestic and overseas box offic plus DVD sales), Anderson’s films turn a profit for the studio.
Don’t expect him to go away any time soon. :confused:
Vic