Genre: Science Fiction/Horror.
Studio:
20th Century Fox.
Production Company:
Brandywine.
Project Phase: In Development.
Who's In It:
Sigorney Weaver (Ripley, under negotiation); Winona Ryder
(unconfirmed).
Who's Making It:
Joss Whelan (Screenwriter); Danny Boyle (Director); Andrew MacDonald
(Producer.
Premise: The Company brings back Ripley from the grave - by the means of cloning. The Aliens will be back as well, but there is a possibility they may be improved upon in this installment. Although story details remain sketchy for the moment, one of the plotlines will center upon the horror Ripley now faces at being a replacement of the original person who died in the last film, in addition to realizing that not even the grave will shelter her from facing the creatures again.
Release Date: Unknown.
Comments: The ALIEN movies continue to remain one of the most favorite fan series, as well as in my own top ten favorite films. Whether it's the haunted gothic corridors of the Nostromo from Ridley Scott's original film; the kinetic roller-coaster ride James Cameron delivered in 1986's ALIENS; or the doomed, bleak setting provided by David Fincher in ALIEN^3, these films have provided the most nightmarish, terrifying monster of recent cinema history. A lot of 'us' like them - a lot.
Although no one can discredit Fincher's imaginative take on the series in the last film, storywise, it failed to capture the spirit. it destroyed all central characters, whether or not you agree with the film's central premise of alien eggs erupting on the Sulaco at the film's beginning. Screenwriter Whedon has been quoted that this movie will need to capture the element of futuristic horror present in the atmosphere in the first two movies, but in addition it must contribute to the mythos of the series in some new fashion.
Rumors:Taken from the Internet (September 1995)... Rumors place the casting of actress Shelley Duvall in the role of a second Ripley. During the growth/birth process of this clone, the Company tinkered with the genetic code sequence, in some Important Plot Device To Be Revealed Later On. However, due to unforeseen genetic twisting, the Duvall-Ripley clone emerges physically altered and weakened.
October 1995... Now rumors abound that 20th Century Fox execs want to push Whedon to come up with a storyline that absolves ALIEN^3 as a hypersleep dream, thus setting the stage for the return of the original Ripley, Hicks, Newt and Bishop. This goes against what Whedon has been reported to have said.
November 1995... Whedon denies the October 1995 rumor in an interview with Cinescape magazine. His script for the fourth movie, titled Alien Resurrection has been handed in to Fox, and now waits for a "go". Whedon's script has Ripley facing the Aliens on-board a gigantic spaceship. As well, her recreation brings her back from the dead along with Alien DNA embedded in her own genetic structure, questioning her humanity further.
Scoop Feedback:
January, 1995... ALIEN 4 is in development, the trade magazine Variety reports. Sigorney Weaver is reported to be undergoing negotiations to reprise Ripley, with director Danny Boyle (Shallow Grave) slated to direct for a Spring/Summer 1997 release. Also reported is the possible involvement of Winona Ryder to play a significant role in the film. [Confirmed week of January 16, 1996.]
Another ALIEN 4?: British-based screenwriter Stuart Hazeldine has penned another proposed treatment for ALIEN 4, which he is trying to forward to 20th Century Fox. You can read about his story (both proposal and his attempts at reaching Fox) by clicking on ALIEN 4: Earthbound.
Last updated: January 24, 1996.
Copyright © 1995 Corona Productions.