Deadline previously reported that Fox was putting Neil Blomkamp's "Alien 5" on indefinite hold and the director is now moving on to direct a time-travelling film based on the "Tomorrow and Tomorrow" book series. Actor Michael Biehn, however, managed to unveil what kind of story Blomkamp's "Alien 5" would have centered on.
Speaking to Icons of Fright, Biehn dispelled the rumors that "Alien 5" was being cancelled and that Blomkamp was off the project. He clarified that as far as he knew, the film is still being made but priorities are being given to Ridley Scott's "Alien: Covenant," the sequel to "Prometheus."
"I know Ridley Scott is doing his movie first and is going to be the executive producer on this one, so I'm really looking forward to that," the actor stated. He continued to explain that Scott is currently pouring all his focus and effort on the "Prometheus" sequel and the studios did not want to release the two films at the same time.
That was when the actor started giving major story details. Biehn first confirmed that "Alien 5" would completely ignore the events of "Alien 3" and "Alien Resurrection" by continuing forward after the events of "Aliens," the second film in the franchise.
Not only was it retconning the franchise's canon but it was also going to star a 27-year-old Newt, who was a child in "Aliens," as well as Biehn himself reprising his role as Corporal Hicks. They would be in the film alongside Sigourney Weaver's Ellen Ripley.
Biehn then explained that it would be a moment to pass the torch from Ellen Ripley to Newt, who would then become the new face of the franchise.
"I know that every actress in Hollywood is going to want to play this one, it's really a passing of the torch between Sigourney and this younger actress who would play Newt. It would keep the franchise alive and the studios would make money, because that's what the bottom line is now: money."
"Alien: Covenant" is scheduled to begin production next year with a 2017 release date while "Alien 5," if it indeed moves forward as planned, will release in 2018.
