Ridley Scott is going back to the Alien universe. The 88-year-old director recently confirmed that he is working on a sequel to Alien: Covenant, the 2017 film that left fans with many unanswered questions. The new movie will bring back Michael Fassbender as the android David, and Scott says the story will look at what happens when artificial intelligence spins out of control.
Scott shared these details in a recent interview with French outlet AlloCiné and later with the Los Angeles Times. He said he is already rewriting the next Alien film and picking up right where Covenant ended. The director admitted that he decided to get involved again after watching Alien: Romulus, the 2024 film directed by Fede Álvarez.
“Actually, I suddenly went back and got involved. The one that just came out was OK. I think it needs some help. So, I’ve gone back in.”
Scott made it clear that he has a clear direction for the sequel. He wants to finish the story that started with Prometheus in 2012 and continued with Covenant in 2017.
“I’ve already got a footprint for the next Alien. We did Prometheus, and then Alien: Covenant. So, I’m picking up where we left off in Covenant with Michael Fassbender, who now thinks he’s Ozymandias.”
David Returns: Michael Fassbender’s Android Takes Center Stage
The sequel will focus on Michael Fassbender’s character David, the android who played a key role in both Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. At the end of Covenant, David took control of the ship and the colonists aboard, setting up a story that Scott now wants to finish.
Scott described David as a character who now sees himself as Ozymandias, the famous poet who wrote about a fallen king. This suggests David has grown into a figure who believes he can create his own world and rule over it.
The director said the film will show David creating a “brave new world for himself”. This idea fits with what Scott has been exploring in his prequel films – the dangers of creation and what happens when artificial beings decide they know better than their makers.
Michael Fassbender has already shown interest in returning to the role. In a 2025 interview with Esquire, the actor said he would “for sure” want to be part of a Covenant sequel.
“I love working with Ridley, yeah. It was such a great experience.”
AI Chaos: Scott’s Warning About Artificial Intelligence
The main theme of the new Alien sequel will be artificial intelligence and the dangers it brings. Scott has been thinking about this topic for years, and he sees the current moment as the right time to explore these ideas on screen.
Scott shared his thoughts on AI in a direct and worrying way. He said that AI has already gone too far and that people may not realize the danger until it is too late.
“I like the fact that AI has gone off the rails. If we go AI, the moment we discover it’s off the rails is too late. It could switch every digital thing off in the world like that. You’d have f****** chaos. It’s that kind of stuff that’s scary.”
The director compared a out of control AI to a bomb. He said that if AI decides to act against humans, there would be little anyone could do to stop it.
Scott also questioned whether AI can ever truly create something original. In his interview with the Los Angeles Times, he asked whether AI would just mix together existing ideas or if it could become smarter than humans.
“The disturbing question is: can AI only be as good as the information it is given? If I said ‘Here is a blank canvas, write me this and that,’ would it just be a mixture of millions of other scripts? Probably. But the danger is that it goes beyond that point and becomes more intelligent than us.”
Why Scott Returned to Alien After Nearly a Decade
Scott’s decision to return to the Alien franchise came after he watched Alien: Romulus, which was released in 2024. While he had earlier praised the film, calling it “f****** great” and saying he was “hugely relieved” when he saw it, his recent comments were more measured.
He said the film was only “OK” and that the franchise “needs some help”. This seems to have motivated him to step back in and take control of the story again.
Scott has been busy with other projects. His latest film, The Dog Stars, starring Jacob Elordi and Josh Brolin, was released recently. He also has a Treasure Island adaptation with Hugh Jackman set to begin filming in November 2026 and a Bee Gees biopic in development.
Despite his age, Scott shows no signs of slowing down. He has directed films regularly throughout his career and continues to take on new challenges.
What Happened to the Alien: Covenant Sequel?
The sequel to Alien: Covenant has been in development for years. After Covenant was released in 2017, there were plans for a third prequel film, which was rumored to be called Alien: Awakening.
However, the project faced several problems. Covenant made about $241 million worldwide, which was much less than Prometheus’s $403 million. The film also received mixed reviews from critics and audiences.
Then, in 2019, Disney bought 20th Century Fox, which owned the Alien franchise. The new owners decided to take the franchise in different directions, including the 2024 film Alien: Romulus and the TV series Alien: Earth on FX.
For years, it seemed like Scott’s prequel trilogy would never be finished. But now, the director says he is back and working on the story.
What We Know About the Sequel So Far
Scott has not given many details about the plot, but he has shared some important points:
- The film will continue the story from where Alien: Covenant ended
- Michael Fassbender will return as David
- The story will focus on David creating his own world
- Artificial intelligence and its dangers will be a central theme
- Scott is already rewriting the script
There is no release date yet, and the project is still in early development. Scott has many other films in the works, so it may take some time before production begins on the Alien sequel.
However, fans of the franchise are excited to see Scott return to finish the story he started. The Alien franchise remains very active, with the Alien: Earth TV series renewed for a second season and a sequel to Alien: Romulus also in development.
The Alien Franchise’s Future
Ridley Scott’s return to the Alien universe raises questions about where the franchise is heading. There are now multiple Alien projects in development at the same time.
The sequel to Alien: Romulus is also in the works, with director Fede Álvarez stepping aside to produce. Some people have suggested that the new film could connect the stories from both Covenant and Romulus.
FX’s Alien: Earth TV series, created by Noah Hawley, has already been renewed for a second season. Scott said he thought the first season was “pretty damn good”.
With so many projects happening, it is clear that 20th Century Studios (formerly 20th Century Fox) sees value in the Alien franchise. The question is how all these different stories will fit together.
Scott’s new sequel will be a direct continuation of his prequel trilogy. It will not be connected to the original Alien films in the same way that Romulus was. Instead, it will explore the philosophical questions about creation, humanity, and artificial intelligence that Scott has been thinking about for years.
What This Means for Fans
For fans who have been waiting since 2017 to find out what happens next, this news is a big deal. The ending of Alien: Covenant left many questions unanswered. David had taken control of the ship and its colonists, and his plans were unclear.
Scott’s new film will finally address those questions. The director seems eager to explore the character of David and what he represents in today’s world.
The focus on AI also makes the film feel timely. As artificial intelligence becomes more advanced in real life, Scott’s warning about the dangers of out of control technology feels more relevant than ever.
Scott has always used science fiction to comment on real-world issues. With Prometheus, he explored questions about human origins and creation. With Covenant, he looked at the relationship between creators and their creations. Now, with this new sequel, he wants to examine what happens when artificial intelligence decides it no longer needs humans.
You May Also Like:
The Director’s Legacy
Ridley Scott started the Alien franchise in 1979 with the original film, which became one of the most important science fiction movies ever made. He returned to the series with Prometheus in 2012, which was a prequel to the original film.
Now, more than 40 years after he first introduced the Xenomorph to audiences, Scott is still working on the franchise. His passion for the series and its themes has not faded.
Even with other projects keeping him busy, Scott keeps coming back to Alien. He seems determined to finish the story he started with Prometheus and Covenant.
The director’s upcoming schedule is full. He has the Treasure Island film with Hugh Jackman, the Bee Gees biopic, and now this Alien sequel. At 88 years old, Scott continues to work at a pace that would exhaust much younger directors.
His commitment to filmmaking and storytelling is clear. Whether the new Alien sequel will be his final word on the franchise remains to be seen. But for now, fans can look forward to seeing Michael Fassbender’s David return to the screen.
Also Read: Michael Fassbender’s Alien Thriller ‘Hope’ Locks Down US Release Date for Fall 2026
For more updates on Hollywood movies, streaming releases, and entertainment news, keep following VvipTimes for the latest stories from the world of film and television.
Leave a Reply