The Guardian | UK
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Memo to Ridley Scott: no one needs more Alien: Covenant movies – get the franchise back to stalk’n’slash
The Alien franchise has struggled for decades to recapture its former glory. Following James Cameron's 1986 film, numerous attempts were made, often with disappointing results. These included killing characters early, isolating Sigourney Weaver, cloning Ripley, and crossover films with Predators. There was even a costly film featuring Michael Fassbender teaching himself to play the flute. In 2024, Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus was released, which centered on xenomorphs chasing humans. This was followed by Noah Hawley's Alien: Earth in 2025. The latter film suggested that giant space insects were a lesser evil than tech billionaires. Despite these efforts, the franchise has consistently failed to deliver compelling narratives. The news of Scott working on a follow-up film raises concerns about the franchise's ability to innovate and surprise. It appears the series may be lacking fresh ideas.