In recent weeks it has been reported that Neill Blomkamp has been “given the keys to car” as it were, since he’s been green lit to develop the next movie in the Alien series.
Then, Blomkamp let it be known that his Alien movie would follow directly behind James Cameron’s, Aliens in the chronology of the series. In an interview with Sky Movies, Blomkamp stated, “I want this film to feel like it is literally the genetic sibling of Aliens. So it’s, Alien, Aliens, this movie.”
This move could effectively erase the events of David Fincher’s, Alien 3 and Jean Pierre Jeunet’s, Alien: Ressurection from the history of the series.
While this could stir many fans into a frenzy, Sigourney Weaver has given a strong vote of confidence to Blomkamp and his ideas for the of the direction next Alien film.
“I can’t think of a better director. He’s a real fan. I think he’ll be true to the world and take it in unexpected directions. It’s got a lot of sinew in it. It will certainly stand up to the others and probably break a lot of new ground as well.”
According to Variety, Blomkamp set the wheels in motion, when he took the opportunity to express to Weaver how much he admired the first two films in the Alien series, during their time together filming Chappie.
Weaver expressed her belief that a new Alien movie was inevitable, saying, “Suddenly it seemed so obvious that this would happen. We’ve been in touch the last year, and he’s shared wonderful artwork.” She also expressed how eager she is to bring Ripley back, when she told Sky Movies, “I would love to take Ripley out of, sort of orbiting around in space, and give a proper fintish to what was such an excellent story.”
Blomkamp’s first two films, District 9 and Elysium, examined social issues like apartheid and financial/class disparity using science fiction as a backdrop. Chappie will likely examine people’s concerns about the unpredictability of artificial intelligence and the possible ethical implications.
Directing a new Alien film will keep Blomkamp rooted in the familiar realm of science fiction, but it will plunge him into a world that is much more visceral and terrifying than he’s visited. It’s reasonable to believe that Blomkamp will find a way use the film to make a social statement as much as a career one.