The iconic series returns with more than one movie

The successful series titled "Alien" is slated for dynamic development in the very near future. Two more productions set in this universe are currently in the works. It's expected that these new additions will not only attract a variety of new fans but also fulfill the desires of long time franchise followers.

The almost 45-year cinematic journey with xenomorphs began in 1979 with Ridley Scott’s "Alien – Passenger 8 of Nostromo" ("Blade Runner", "Gladiator"). A relatively modest budget of $11 million was turned into nearly ten times the profit, with Sigourney Weaver in the iconic role of Ellen Ripley receiving special commendation.

Seven years later, the sequel, titled "Alien – The Decisive Battle", was directed by another great filmmaker, James Cameron ("Terminator", "Titanic"). The movie, which depicts the main character found after a 57-year hibernation agreeing to join a mission to eradicate threatening aliens, was again well-received by audiences, earning over $130 million with only a slightly larger budget than the original film.

Sigourney Weaver reprised the role of Ripley in two more sequels: "Alien 3" directed by David Fincher ("Seven", "Fight Club"), and "Alien: Resurrection" by Jean-Pierre Jeunet. However, she did not appear in 2017's "Alien: Covenant" and has confirmed that she won't be returning for any future roles involving acid-blooded aliens. The star openly admitted that she has no plans to reprise her iconic role.

There are some expectations around the two upcoming "Alien" projects. According to ScreenRant, Disney’s acquisition of 21st Century Fox has paved the way for a blossoming Alien franchise. Other significant properties acquired by the entertainment giant include "The Simpsons", Marvel's X-Men, and Fantastic Four.

Fans of the Alien franchise are in for a treat. Currently, work is underway on "Alien: Romulus" directed by Fede Álvarez ("Don’t Breathe"), which intends to return to the roots of the series. Alongside this, Noah Hawley, scriptwriter of hit TV series like "Bones", "Legion", "Fargo", is developing a prequel TV series for FX on Hulu.

What's causing this sudden surge in "Alien" popularity? The planned premieres of both these productions. The first one is slated for release in mid-August 2024, with the second to follow in early 2025. Considering the usual gaps of several years between consecutive segments of the saga, this close release schedule is unprecedented. The short period between successive titles might contribute significantly to the success of the series.