Who would’ve thought that a career spanning six decades could be filled with so many extraterrestrials, dystopian futures, and historical epics? Well, that’s the case with Ridley Scott, one of cinema’s greatest visual storytellers and a true master of tone & genre. Thus, it’s no wonder he has three Academy Award nominations for Best Director under his belt and remains a hot topic among film buffs.
When Scott and Fede Álvarez were recently asked by Letterboxd to name their four favorite movies, the former’s list included George Lucas’ masterpiece Star Wars. And here’s a juicy tidbit: The Duellists director was so awestruck by Star Wars that it left him starry-eyed for three months, during which he ditched his project (at the time) and gifted us the masterpiece Alien.
Star Wars: How a Movie Made Ridley Scott Step Back and Create Alien
When it comes to Ridley Scott’s top film picks, it’s clear that his tastes are as eclectic as a mixed bag of popcorn flavors. Recently, when the director, 86, discussed with Letterboxd to dish out his four favorite flicks, his list reads like a director’s hall of fame: 2001: A Space Odyssey, Star Wars, Quest for Fire, and—one of his own works, Blade Runner.
But let’s be real, who wouldn’t be depressed after watching Star Wars for the first time and realizing they had to up their game? Scott himself admitted that he was in a funk for three whole months, wondering how he could top the cinematic chef-d’oeuvre that George Lucas had created. The former admitted:
I was depressed for three months.
Witnessing the sheer brilliance of Star Wars made him question how he could ever match its dazzling lightsabers and epic space battles. He even considered dropping his then project and, instead, decided to create the sci-fi horror classic Alien. In Scott’s own words:
Came here to see the opening night of Star Wars and I sat there, I was depressed for three months. How can I be doing Tristan and Isolde when this guy does this? Did a U-turn, offered Alien within six weeks.
Alien drew a mixed bag of reviews, but it struck gold at the box office and went on to snag the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects.
Now, as Scott gears up for Alien: Romulus and Gladiator II, it’s clear that his cinematic journey is far from over. And for the record, Fede Álvarez is working around the clock on this new project, Alien: Romulus. Scott has given Álvarez a big thumbs-up, hinting that this new installment could clean up any past mistakes and give the franchise a fresh start.
Ridley Scott’s Take: How Fede Álvarez Will Revive the Alien Franchise
When Ridley Scott, the maestro of sci-fi, handed over the reins of the beloved Alien franchise to Fede Álvarez, the baton was passed with high hopes and a touch of anticipation. And, judging by Scott’s enthusiastic endorsement, it seems like the franchise is in capable hands.
The director is no stranger to the pressures of maintaining a cinematic legacy, but his praise for the 46-year-old Álvarez is nothing short of a standing ovation. In a recent chat with the Los Angeles Times, Scott was effusive about Álvarez’s work on Alien: Romulus:
The danger of all franchises is they do die unless somebody suddenly decides to pick up the mat and run down the field with a ball. Fede is a surge of energy, and I had to step back and let him do it.
It’s clear that Scott sees Álvarez as the franchise’s new quarterback, ready to take it to the end zone. His words are practically a ringing endorsement, hinting that Álvarez’s fresh take might be just the jolt the saga needs.
If Scott’s glowing reviews are anything to go by, fans should brace themselves for a blockbuster that not only honors the franchise’s roots but also charts a thrilling new course.
Mark your calendars: Alien: Romulus is set to burst onto screens on August 16, 2024.
Star Wars is available on Disney+, while Alien is streaming on Hulu (as of August 16, 2024).
