Neill Blomkamp's "Alien 5" is still underway but a recent report from Bloody-Disgusting has revealed that it won't hit theaters until 2018. The reason for the delay is that producer Ridley Scott wants "Prometheus 2" done first.
"'Alien 5' is still very much in the works, as Fox remains hot on the idea," said the website's unnamed source. "Blomkamp continues to work on the script (only an outline existed previously) and refine the tale he is telling. Ridley Scott is still producing, but has insisted on 'Prometheus 2' being made first."
The report also states that this delay will allow Blomkamp to avoid another potential roadblock along the way. Actress Sigourney Weaver is set to reprise her role for "Alien 5" but she is also returning for the three sequels to James Cameron's "Avatar" which is expected to enter production soon.
Scheduling conflicts might push Weaver out of "Alien 5" but now that the film is being delayed, with production reportedly beginning in 2017, Weaver will reportedly be free to shoot Blomkamp's film while still having done her scenes for Cameron's "Avatar" sequels.
If all goes well, "Prometheus 2" could enter production in early 2016 and see a 2017 release, while "Alien 5" might enter production in 2017 and be released the year after.
As pointed out during an episode of Collider Movie Talk, Ridley may be insisting on releasing "Prometheus 2" first in order to help push his film away from the "Alien" franchise. While the two are set in the same universe, they follow very different stories and characters, and it is mentioned that Scott wants "Prometheus" to be a separate entity instead of just being labeled as a prequel series to "Alien."
An additional piece of information from the report also cites that "Alien 5" might not entirely ignore the events in "Alien 3" and "Alien Resurrection." As Blomkamp is still developing the film and is in the early phases of writing the script, the story is still open to changes until cameras start rolling, presumably in 2017.
Actor Michael Biehn is also not yet confirmed to reprise his role as Hicks, although Blomkamp's concept art showcases Hicks alongside Weaver's Ripley. The actor has reportedly been talking with Blomkamp in developing the next film but has not yet officially signed on to star in it.
