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Ridley Scott provides update on potential Alien: Covenant sequel and reflects on Blade Runner rights

The director noted that an Alien: Covenant follow-up remains in development alongside other franchise projects as his latest film prepares for release.

The short version

  • Director Ridley Scott stated that a sequel to his 2017 film Alien: Covenant is still in development, focused on Michael Fassbender's android character, David.
  • The proposed sequel may face competition for approval at 20th Century Fox from a planned sequel to the 2024 film Alien: Romulus.
  • Scott expressed regret over losing control of the Blade Runner franchise rights and noted he is not creatively involved in the upcoming Amazon Prime series Blade Runner 2099.

Key facts

  • Ridley Scott stated in an interview with the L.A. Times that a sequel to Alien: Covenant centered on Michael Fassbender's character, David, remains in development.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • The Covenant sequel project is in development alongside a planned sequel to Alien: Romulus at 20th Century Fox.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Scott confirmed he holds an executive producer credit but no creative involvement in Prime Video's Blade Runner 2099 series, lamenting the past loss of the franchise's rights.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Scott stated that he does not use artificial intelligence tools in filmmaking but believes he can compete with current image-generation technology.[The Hollywood Reporter]
  • Scott's post-apocalyptic film The Dog Stars, based on a 2012 novel, opens in theaters on Friday.[The Hollywood Reporter]

What remains uncertain

  • It is unconfirmed whether 20th Century Fox will officially greenlight the Alien: Covenant sequel, the Alien: Romulus sequel, or attempt to combine elements of both stories.[The Hollywood Reporter]

Sources