We got an update on Ridley Scott’s Prometheus sequel Thursday, but it’s been a while since we heard about that other film set within the Alien franchise universe that’s in the works — the one directed by District 9 filmmaker Neill Blomkamp that unfolds on the opposite end of the series’ timeline.
With this year being the 30th anniversary of James Cameron’s Aliens, the cast and creative team on that film have been making the press rounds in honor of the 1986 sequel to 1979’s Alien, and franchise star Sigourney Weaver confirmed that Blomkamp’s film will indeed create a new timeline for the series.
“It’s just as if, you know, the path forks and one direction goes off to three and four and another direction goes off to Neill’s movie,” Weaver told Entertainment Weekly of the still-untitled film, confirming that Blomkamp’s plan is to ignore the events of 1992’s Alien 3 and 1997’s Alien: Resurrection and forge a new timeline set immediately after Cameron’s Aliens.
Despite all of the buzz surrounding the film, Blomkamp’s sequel to Aliens remains in a holding pattern of sorts as Scott finalizes his Alien prequel (and Prometheus sequel), Alien: Covenant, which is currently in production and scheduled to hit theaters in 2017. Whether the franchise will then jump ahead in the series’ timeline to Blomkamp’s movie or linger in the past for more Prometheus sequels is yet to be determined.
One thing that’s certain at this point is that Blomkamp intends to bring back both Weaver and Aliens actor Michael Biehn for his film, which already has concept art circulating online featuring both actors.
There’s currently no development timeline for Blomkamp’s film, but Alien: Covenant will hit theaters August 4, 2017.
