It’s hard to imagine a world without Ridley Scott’s Alien, but that almost became a reality. An unexpected event pushed Scott to change his course, leading to the creation of one of the most iconic sci-fi horror films in history.
The Unexpected Spark from Star Wars
Forty-five years after the release of the first Alien film, the franchise continues to expand with the latest installment, Alien: Romulus. While Ridley Scott’s prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, were divisive among fans, the latest film has been handed over to a new director, Fede Alvarez. His vision places Alien: Romulus neatly between Alien and Aliens, anchoring it firmly within the most beloved chapters of the series.
Alvarez succeeded in delivering a horror film that not only pays homage to the original but also introduces fresh perspectives on space colonization and its political implications. Despite stepping back from the director’s chair, Ridley Scott remained deeply involved as a producer, actively promoting this new entry in the saga. During the press circuit, Scott reminisced about how his original Alien film almost never came to be.
In an interview with Letterboxd, Scott revealed that George Lucas’s Star Wars was the catalyst that led him to pivot from his original plans. After completing his debut film, The Duellists, which won a prize at Cannes, Scott was gearing up to direct Tristan and Isolde. However, the release of Star Wars made him rethink everything.
“One of the foundational films for me was Star Wars,” Scott shared. “I had just finished The Duellists, a very good film, and I was preparing Tristan and Isolde. But then I saw Star Wars at its premiere in Los Angeles, and I was depressed for three months. How could I make Tristan and Isolde after seeing that? I changed my plans and pitched Alien within six weeks. It was an accident. I just went in and said I’m doing it.”
A Twist of Fate
The idea that Alien might never have existed is almost surreal. Scott has shared this story before, offering more detail in a 2015 interview with Deadline. He explained that just weeks after seeing Star Wars: A New Hope, he received a script titled Alien.
“Someone sent me a script called Alien. I thought, ‘Wow, I have to do this,’” Scott recalled. “I was the fifth choice. It had been offered to Robert Altman. How could they pitch that to Robert? He must have thought, ‘A thing bursts out of a chest? You’re kidding me.’ But I knew what needed to be done. I was in Hollywood for less than 24 hours. They asked if I wanted to change anything, and I said no. They asked if I was sure, and I replied, ‘I love it. I adore it. I want to do it.’”
Scott’s decision to abandon Tristan and Isolde (a project he later produced in 2006) and take on Alien was a pivotal moment, not just for his career but for the entire sci-fi genre. His storyboards, particularly for the spaceships, were heavily influenced by Star Wars, showcasing just how much Lucas’s work impacted him.
For fans of the Alien universe, Alien: Romulus is currently in theaters, offering a direct connection to the original cult classic. And for those who admire Ridley Scott’s broader work, Gladiator 2 is set to hit theaters on November 13th in France.
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