James Cameron on the ALIEN Franchise - “I Don’t Think It’s Worked Out Terribly Well”
I think we can all agree that Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens are incredible films in their own right. Every Alien film that’s been made since Cameron’s 1986 film has been mediocre at best. There have been opportunities to do great things with this franchise over the years, but filmmakers, including Scott, have dropped the ball.
Even Cameron hasn’t been impressed with any of the films since he released Aliens. While talking to Vulture, the filmmaker was asked how he feels about the upcoming film Alien: Covenant, and this is what he said:
“The franchise has kind of wandered all over the map. Ridley [Scott] did the first film, and he inspired an entire generation of filmmakers and science-fiction fans with that one movie and there have been so many films that stylistically have derived from it, including my own Aliens, which was the legitimate sequel and, I think, the proper heir to his film. I sort of did it as a fanboy. I wanted to honor his film, but also say what I needed to say. After that, I don't take any responsibility.
“I don't think it's worked out terribly well. I think we've moved on beyond it. It's like, okay, we've got it, we've got the whole Freudian biomechanoid meme. I've seen it in 100 horror films since. I think both of those films stand at a certain point in time, as a reference point. But is there any validity to doing another one now? I don't know. Maybe. Let's see, jury's out. Let's see what Ridley comes up with. Let me just add to that — and don't cut this part off, please — I will stand in line for any Ridley Scott movie, even a not-so-great one, because he is such an artist, he's such a filmmaker. I always learn from him. And what he does with going back to his own franchise would be fascinating.”
I’ll stand in line and buy a ticket to see any Ridley Scott film too! Unfortunately, that doesn’t mean it’s going to be good. I was disappointed with Prometheus, but I’m excited about Alien: Covenant! It looks like it’s gonna be a wickedly terrifying film. I love that Scott is going back to his horror roots with this next chapter of the story.