Plans for a Ridley Scott Alien sequel, often referred to as Alien 5, were ultimately halted, according to actress Sigourney Weaver. Speaking at a screening of the first Alien film in Paris, Weaver discussed how director Ridley Scott‘s decisions led to the project being shelved, despite early excitement from both cast and fans.
How Alien 5 Was Conceptualized
Following the anticipation built by director Neill Blomkamp after his breakthrough with District 9, Alien 5 promised to address controversial plot points from earlier franchise entries, including reversing the divisive character deaths from Alien 3. Blomkamp’s vision involved bringing both Weaver’s character Ripley and beloved character Newt back into the story, sparking optimism for a return to form for the science fiction saga.
Sigourney Weaver Shares Concerns Over Creative Direction
Weaver expressed admiration for Blomkamp’s creative approach and highlighted her joy in collaborating with him, referencing their previous collaboration on the film Chappie. According to Weaver, Blomkamp had developed a compelling plan for the next chapter of the Alien saga that excited both her and the broader fan community.
“Yes. Well, I think like many of us, I was a big admirer of Neill. His movie was so striking, and I worked with him on a movie called [Chappie]. And I loved working with Neil, and he had this idea of bringing Ripley and Newt back,”
Weaver said.
“It was a wonderful script, and unfortunately, it was at that point I think that Ridley Scott decided to be very possessive about the series and really drilled down on his prequels. And so I think it was a disaster for that project. We were never able to,”
she continued.
“I think Neil, in fact, just gave up, and he’s so talented. I wish him all the best.”
— Sigourney Weaver, Actress
Project Developments and Studio Decisions
The excitement around Alien 5 reached a high point in 2015, when Blomkamp unveiled concept art that featured Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley in unique Xenomorph-inspired bio-armor. This presentation fueled speculation about the script’s content, even as Ridley Scott denied that one existed. Both Weaver and director James Cameron, however, confirmed having read a draft and spoke positively about it.
Although 20th Century Fox initially approved Blomkamp’s vision for the film, those plans were soon supplanted by Ridley Scott’s return to the director’s chair for the prequel Alien: Covenant. The film left several storylines unresolved, and the series subsequently shifted again with Scott collaborating with Fede Alvarez on a new motion picture direction and with Noah Hawley to expand the universe in television.
Neill Blomkamp Reflects on the Abandoned Sequel
When questioned in 2021 about why the project did not move forward, Blomkamp explained that Ridley Scott’s loss of confidence in his direction played a decisive role. He elaborated that Scott’s influence over the Alien franchise, as its originator, gave him final authority over which creative projects would proceed.
“At the end of the day, even though Ridley Scott is producing it, he brought that to the world, so if he changes his mind or if there is a director on it he doesn’t want, whatever it may be, it’s his. I understand that it makes logical sense to me,”
said Neill Blomkamp, Director.
Significance for the Alien Franchise and Fans
The shelving of the Ridley Scott Alien sequel stands as one of the more significant missed opportunities in modern science fiction, leaving fans to wonder how the saga might have evolved under Blomkamp’s direction. Sigourney Weaver’s transparency about her support for the project and its script underscores the extent of the missed creative potential. The franchise continues to shift direction with contributions from Fede Alvarez and Noah Hawley, as well as legacy support from key figures like James Cameron, but Alien 5 remains an object of speculation and discussion among franchise devotees.
Concept art from Neill Blomkamp's canceled "Alien 5" https://t.co/U5YC6PU1HD pic.twitter.com/a2Yez1jJbX
— 𝐌𝐀𝐓𝐑𝐘𝐎𝐒𝐇𝐊𝐀𝐌𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐑𝐂𝐇𝐈𝐒𝐓🪆 (@pseudodeucalion) August 20, 2025
