Neil Blomkamp Confirms He’s Doing New ‘Alien’ Film
Concept art shared by Chappie director Neil Blomkamp for a possible Alien film sparked a mini-firestorm on the internet, with fans of the director and franchise saying, “Yes, please!” Blomkamp beat around the bush with explanations of how the concept art came to be and his interest in doing a film, but he finally confirmed Wednesday that it is indeed happening.
Blomkamp surprised fans by posing the following to his Instagram account, confirming that he will be directing a new Alien film.
Um… So I think it’s officially my next film. #alien
A photo posted by Brownsnout (@neillblomkamp) on
The saga of Blomkamp’s vision of Alien has been full of twist and turns. 20th Century Fox first confirmed that the concept art produced by Blomkamp was done on his own accord and that no deal existed between the director and the studio.
Blomkamp later told Uproxx that he created the concept art while working with actress Sigourney Weaver on Chappie.
“She set off a bunch of thoughts in my head – I had come up with an idea that didn’t have Sigourney, it was a different idea. But I spent all of the shooting time with her, it was like … that could actually be really interesting. When I came back to Vancouver, I had an entire year to work on Chappie. And when I wasn’t needed in the edit, I could think about Alien,” he explained.
The reaction from fans to the concept art was overwhelmingly positive, and Fox seemed keen on the idea, but the holdup was apparently with Blomkamp. That obstacle appears to have been overcome, however.
Now the question is what direction Blomkamp will take the franchise. Alien and Aliens are considered hallmarks of science-fiction horror and sci-fi action, respectively. The following two Alien films weren’t as well-received by fans, and the Alien vs Predator crossovers were generally considered low points in the series. Prometheus was a return to the movie universe, but as a prequel that left mixed feelings with fans and critics alike.
Blomkamp’s concept art suggests the return of Weaver’s Ripley and Michael Biehn’s Hicks, however. That would require a reboot of sorts, unless the director takes a difference direction. Either way, fans will be anxiously watching for new information about Blomkamp’s Alien vision.
Update: The Wrap reports that Prometheus 2 is still being produced, with Ridley Scott directing. His Scott Free Productions company will be producing Blomkamp’s Alien film, which will come after Scott’s Prometheus sequel.
[Images via Neil Blomkamp Instagram]
