This week, fans took to social media to debate whether Ridley Scott’sAlienis a horror film or not. Director Kevin Smith even got in on the fun by providing a simple but effective analysis of the iconic sci-fi franchise.
Alienpremiered in 1979 and is considered one of thegreatest sci-fi films of all timeby many. Dan O’Bannon penned the script and the cast included Tom Skerritt as Dallas, Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, Veronica Cartwright as Lambert, and Harry Dean Stanton as Brett. The blockbuster followed a crew who encounters a vicious extra-terrestrial creature in space.Aliengrossed approximately $79 million worldwide and launched the careers of both Scott and Weaver. Scott proceeded to make 1982’sBlade Runner, while Weaver was sooncast opposite Bill Murray inGhostbustersandWorking Girl.
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Due to the success of the originalAlien, three subsequent sequels and two prequels were released. James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet made the sequels, while Scott returned to direct the recent prequel series. Weaver, who played Ripley in fourAlieninstallments, revealed thatJames Cameron’sAlienswas the most satisfyingto make because it had the best-constructed story for her character.
The beloved sci-fi franchise was back in the news this past week after freelance writer, Elle Hunt, posted a highly controversial Twitter poll that asked whetherAlienis a horror film. In just 24 hours, over 119,000 people have responded, with an overwhelming 94 percent stating that the film is a horror flick. Hunt got the attention of many after she asserted that it couldn’t be considered a horror film because it was set in space. Kevin Smith, who most recently directed and starred inJay and Silent Bob Reboot,noticed the online debate and summed up the entire franchise in one tweet.
The future of theAlienfilm franchise is unclear at the moment. In 2019,Varietyreported that Scott is planning to direct a thirdAlienprequel film. Meanwhile,District 9director Neill Blomkamp spent a year trying to develop a fifth movie centered on Weaver’s character. Despite earning modest reviews from critics, 2017’sAlien: Covenantwas abox office bomb and grossed $150 million less thanPrometheus.
The 83-year-old Scott has a busy couple of years in front of him. He iscurrently filmingHouse of Gucciin Italy and has signed on to direct Joaquin Phoenix inKitbag. House of Gucciwill explore how Patrizia Reggiani (Lady Gaga) plotted to kill her ex-husband, Maurizio Gucci (Adam Driver). The all-star ensemble cast includes Jared Leto, Al Pacino, Jeremy Irons, and Jack Huston.
