“I Did the Best One by Far” – Ridley Scott Boasts Reviving ‘Alien’ Franchise After Fourth Film Fell Flat

Published 08/31/2026, 9:21 AM EDT

Regisseur Ridley Scott (USA) anlässlich einer Podiumsdiskussion auf dem Talent Campus der 55. Internationalen Filmfestspiele in Berlin

Ridley Scott has recently opened up about reviving the Alien franchise following the fourth film’s failure. It seems like Scott’s press tour for his latest venture, The Dog Stars, has been taken over by discussions about his iconic Alien franchise. In recent days, he has been giving all sorts of updates and insights into his involvement in the film series. Now, he has given himself credit for bringing the franchise back to life after the fourth film killed it.

Scott boasted that he has made the best one in the popular film series by far.

How Ridley Scott revived the Alien series after Alien 4

Alien, released in 1979, is undoubtedly one of the best sci-fi movies to come out of Hollywood ever, and it also put Ridley Scott on the map with its epic success. The movie became such a phenomenon that it inspired an entire franchise from one wacky idea. However, after multiple sequels, the franchise lost its way somewhere, and after the fourth one came, the series was fighting for its last breath, until Scott resuscitated it.  

In a recent interview with the French outlet Brut, Scott asserted that he revived the franchise following the poor box office performance of Alien: Resurrection in 1997. He not only claimed to be the savior of the franchise but also the champion of the series, with his installment following the fourth film being the best one to come out of the franchise so far.

“I did the best one by far,” the director said in the interview.

EXODUS: GODS AND KINGS, director Ridley Scott on set, 2014. TM and Copyright Twentieth Century Fox Film Corporation. All rights reserved. Courtesy Everett Collection 20thCentFox Courtesy Everett Collection !ACHTUNG AUFNAHMEDATUM GESCHÄTZT! PUBLICATIONXNOTxINxCANxCHNxFRAxITAxJPNxNORxPOLxRUSxESPxUKxUSA Copyright: x20thCentFox CourtesyxEverettxCollectionx MCDEXGO EC008

Reflecting on the franchise's trajectory further in the Brut interview, Scott asserted that after the fourth installment, the series was effectively left to die. He explained that recognizing the studio's inaction motivated him to revive the property himself. According to the director, he collaborated with skilled writers - ultimately teaming up with Damon Lindelof - to spark a creative breakthrough that resulted in Prometheus

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Scott’s genius gave the franchise a second life, and the brilliant filmmaker is returning to build further on that lease on life.

Ridley Scott set to return to the Alien franchise

Ridley Scott also noted in the same conversation that Prometheus allowed him to trace the narrative back to its origins, shaking up the cinematic universe before following up with Alien: Covenant to ensure the franchise was once again up and running. And not too long ago, the director confirmed that he is returning to the franchise to conclude his prequel trilogy with Michael Fassbender.

“Actually, I suddenly went back and got involved,” he told French outlet AlloCiné last week.

May 4, 2017 - London, London, UK - Michael Fassbender and Katherine Waterston attend the world film premiere of Alien: Covenant World Premiere in London London UK - ZUMAt138 20170504_zap_t138_004

Sharing details on his own return to the director's chair, Scott revealed that he has already mapped out a footprint for the next film in the series. He explained that the project will pick up the narrative threads left dangling at the conclusion of Alien: Covenant, continuing the story of Michael Fassbender’s android character, whom Scott noted now views himself as Ozymandias. 

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What do you think of Ridley Scott’s Prometheus? Is it the best Alien movie so far, according to you? Do let us know.

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Harshit Kumar

747 articles

With nearly two years of experience in content writing, primarily in sports, Harshit has now ventured into the alluring alleys of Hollywood at NetflixJunkie. A true pop-culture fanatic and a certified cheat code for movie trivia night, he brings infectious enthusiasm to every conversation. He has strong opinions about everything from uplifting superhero spectacles to gripping psychological crime dramas, and he is never shy about backing them up.

Edited By: Itti Mahajan

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