Ridley Scott confirms retirement from Alien franchise directing, marking an end to the legendary director’s hands-on involvement with the iconic sci-fi series. This announcement concludes decades of creativity that began in 1979 and leaves the future of the xenomorph saga open for new voices and directions.
Ridley Scott’s Alien Legacy Comes to a Close
Ridley Scott, now 87 years old, launched the Alien franchise with his groundbreaking work in 1979. He would later return to the story with two prequel films, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, establishing a wider lore that redefined the boundaries of science fiction cinema. Despite producing 2023’s Alien: Romulus, speculation about Scott’s possible return to direct was laid to rest when, over the weekend, he shared with ScreenRant that his journey with the xenomorph has officially reached its end.
Scott was candid regarding his view of the saga’s trajectory after the original masterpiece. He noted his pride in the films he made and appreciation for James Cameron’s acclaimed second installment, while offering a direct critique of later entries in the series.
“I think I felt it was deadened after 4,”
—Ridley Scott, Director
Scott’s comments alluded to the creative and tonal shift that occurred after Alien Resurrection, the fourth installment. He reflected on the first four films in the franchise, expressing admiration only for his own work and Cameron’s, and lamenting the downward turn he perceived in subsequent sequels. Scott placed the original Alien alongside genre-defining classics, comparing its impact to films such as Star Trek, Star Wars, and 2001: A Space Odyssey.
“I think mine was pretty damn good, and I think [James Cameron’s] was good, and I have to say the rest were not very good. And I thought, ‘F—, that’s the end of a franchise which should be as important as bloody Star Trek or Star Wars,’ which I think is phenomenal. At least, I think the first one by George is seminal – it was as seminal as 2001.”
—Ridley Scott, Director
From Reluctant Director to Franchise Architect
Looking back on his early involvement, Scott remembered the difficulties and unpredictability of launching Alien at a time when the science fiction genre looked vastly different than today. He wasn’t even the studio’s first pick to helm the project, yet he managed to shape one of the most revered stories in movie history. The unpredictable path from outsider to the architect of a franchise highlights the remarkable journey Scott undertook.
After a lull in popularity, Scott took the reins once more by developing Prometheus with Damon Lindelof. He described how the film was created from the ground up, meeting an audience eager for more xenomorph lore. The success of Prometheus encouraged Scott to direct Alien: Covenant as well, continuing to breathe new life into the franchise at a time when few others believed it could be revived.
“So that’s where I went, and then it died,”
—Ridley Scott, Director
Scott’s recollections demonstrate how personal his investment in the franchise has been, from inception through its multiple revivals. He detailed his motivations for crafting prequel stories and admitted that while he senses his creative contribution is complete, he hopes the saga can thrive moving forward.
“A number of years after, I said, ‘I’m going to resurrect this,’ [and wrote] Prometheus from scratch — a blank sheet of paper. Damon Lindelof and I sat then hammered out Prometheus. It was very present and very welcome. The audience really wanted more. I said, ‘It needs to fly.’ No one was coming for it, [and] I went once again [and made] Alien Covenant, and it worked too. Where it’s going now, I think I’ve done enough, and I just hope it goes further.”
—Ridley Scott, Director
New Projects and the Franchise’s Ongoing Future
While Ridley Scott confirms retirement from Alien franchise directing, the series retains significant momentum. The surprising reception of Alien: Romulus reaffirmed fan interest, and another project now stirs anticipation—Alien: Earth, a streaming series executive produced by Scott himself, set to premiere on Hulu on August 12th. This new installment demonstrates Scott’s willingness to support the lore behind the scenes, even if he steps away from the director’s chair.
Industry reports indicated last year that Scott had a hand in developing yet another prequel film, but after his recent statements, the status of that project is unclear. Whether it has been halted or completed remains to be seen; what is certain is Scott’s intent to move on from active creative duties within the franchise.
Watch the Entire Franchise and Upcoming Releases
For both longtime fans and newcomers, all seven Alien movies are available to stream on Hulu, offering a chance to revisit the cinematic journey that Ridley Scott began in 1979. With Alien: Earth making its debut later this year, the franchise shows no signs of disappearing, even as its founding director steps aside. Scott’s enduring influence remains, but the next chapter in this iconic saga will be guided by new creative forces, building on a legacy that helped define modern science fiction.
The question now facing both audiences and the entertainment industry is how the franchise will grow without Ridley Scott’s vision at the helm. As Alien: Earth approaches its release and with future movies and series possible, fans will watch closely to see if the xenomorph’s story reaches new heights and maintains the relevance Scott believes it deserves within the genre landscape.
