Scot has said in decades past that he no longer desires to go through the extended development phases required for movies like Alien. BR and Legend. So, it' no surprise really. Developing the world/s for a story like this is so taxing on resources and time he'd want to spread it over a few movies. I do like the idea of an "Alien" trilogy. The franchise is so damaged now I wouldn't even mind JC going back and rounding out an "Aliens" trilogy. I'm a fan of A3 but this series needs a bypass, badly.

Hope "Robin Crowe" flops badly – maybe then those prequels won't happen.

I'm far more interested in what happens after the prequel(s).

Are the prequels going to get their own sequels? Will the original Alien series be remade?

Aliens has a kind of timeless quality to it I think, but Alien is incredibly dated (great though the film is), and the kids going to see Alien 0 simply aren't going to go on to watch Alien. In the age of the remake, the reboot and the rebootquel, I can't imagine it just stopping after the prequel(s), unless they really flop.

Dated? Boo-hiss…the only thing about its age that is at all detrimental (and even this is entirely arguable) is the man in suit Alien. Everything else is only 'dated' if by 'dated' you mean 'is concerned more with the trials of the ordinary guy in space' or 'is indelibly marked with intelligence and subtlety' or 'demonstrates the fearlessness of a young expert filmaker coming into his own.' Then I'd agree it's dated, and happily so.

Aliens is timeless but Alien is dated…? No, just no.

I think the original Alien has aged really well actually, minus a shot or two. It's also the scariest one of all of them. If the kids are smart they'll appreciate the classic.

Unfortunately, the kids are rarely smart and will write the original off as being dull due to not enough hyper-kinetic editing, not enough shaky cam and not enough tits and sploshuns.

I say go for it… we got 6 films with the Alien in it… the first 3 have aged badly, and the last three are unwatchably bad….

Alien is the best in the series… but, its age badly, and the creature is awesome in the beginning, but becomes nothing but a man in suite by the end… All you cameron haters, you can't even deny how well put together the Queen Alien was.. THAT, still holds up today… and that final scene.. with the power loader, and the queen doing battle.. .talk about great editing to put that together… still holds up, and its still the best moment of the whole series… even though the Kane chestburster scene comes close…

When it comes to the alien movies, it's easy to spot the near-sighted viewers: The first one is "okay," the third one is horrible, and the second one is a timeless masterpiece. It doesn't boil down to a difference of opinion; I'm fairly sure there is a factory somewhere pumping these people out with this exact view. But thankfully the fourth film is universally hated. I'm willing to give these prequels a chance, because quite frankly after the AVP "films", the treatment of this monster has nowhere to go but up.

Alien is dated?! Dear God. Where do they find these people? It's a masterpiece, and the director's cut proved the original is best left untouched. And as for the whole 'it looks like a man in a suit' thing? The Alien takes on the form of whatever being it impregnates. So if it bursts out of a human, it will be humanoid. Scott has confirmed in another interview that the new prequels will be 'nasty' so no one has to fear another sanitised AvP travesty at least…

um, Mathiue… Alien is DATED… it was made over 30 years ago… but so what if it is dated… Star Wars and Empire are dated too… doesn't make them bad films… I think Alien is a masterpiece, but just because I love it, doesn't mean I'm going to go republican, and pretend that it's flawless. The Alien in the end, looks like a man in a suit, because that's what it is… nevermind the whole DNA coding Alien trait logic your are talking about, it clearly looks like a man in a suit, like Godzilla… but it's no big deal, because it's a product of it's time.. just like the central station, where the mother CPU unit is located.. all the blinking lights… looks dated.. product of it's time… Alien is a film that is like a good cigar… it's a slow burn… it's builds up…

They got it right with Alien and Aliens imo then literally lost the plot. There should be more than just Alien v Predator. They need to open it out and include new. dare I say it, 'Aliens' which humans can work with and I'm not just talking about the Xenomorphs. This is what –I– would like to see and I think it would open out the franchise.

Alien is NOT dated. I have recently revisited these movies and Alien, for me, has reclaimed the top spot as the most innovative, believable and utterly scary of them all. It is a work of genius, largely because EVERY set and effect had to be achieved physically, and that makes the whole world of it very real and believable. I really hope that Ridley will retain this practical approach even in the face of all the CGI techniques that are now available, because those still just look like cartoons to me, no matter how elaborate they are. Physical effects look real, and in this day and age, they're the biggest part of what makes Alien possibly even scarier than it once was; nothing about it is fake or animated. I love that.

Alien feels real in some areas, because it was done on real sets… like many other movies… the team behind Alien did something that they have not got enough credit for, and that's hiring two completely different artists… one for the Alien world, and one for the human world… it brings that strong contrast that many movies don't hit upon… still, the movie is DATED… since when has DATED become a bad word? The movie is thirty fucking years old… it's going to look dated… to say it's not is lying.. with the obvious man in suit moment at the end, to the computer screens, to theb blinking light room. Ridley did what Speilberg did in Jaws.. knowing that the creature was scary only when hidden, and only showed parts of it, until the end…

Think you got that back-asswards, #3. "Alien" holds up perfectly well – all of it (unless claustrophobia, fear of the dark and isolation aren't relevant in "today's world"). "Aliens" is the one that's a bit dated – though still fun to watch.

uh…If you think alien and star wars are "dated" you don't know the meaning of the word. And you are a fucking moron.

I dont mean to be a shit-stirrer,
But over at Collider.com they have the same story but they dont mention Devin asking directly. Just thought he might want credit.

http://www.collider.com/2010/04/23/ridley-scott-confirms-alien-prequel-will-be-shot-in-3d

The only thing "dated" about 'Alien' are the computer screens, and that couldn't be helped. Scott's eye for production design was peerless–this film and 'Blade Runner' don't look dated because they continue to define the look of good design in science fiction cinema.

I share Devin's skepticism about this prequel, but anything that gets Scott behind the camera of a science fiction project is okay in my book. I'd prefer an original film/concept, but I'll take what I can get. It's a pity that his experience with 'Legend' soured him on fantastical cinema for such a long time.

Dated
dat·ed
   /ˈdeɪtɪd/ Show Spelled[dey-tid] Show IPA
–adjective
1.
having or showing a date: a dated record of all meetings.
2.
out-of-date; old-fashioned: a nostalgic program of dated songs.

—Synonyms
2. outmoded, passé, unfashionable

Hey Rotten666, why don't you look up the full meanings of words before you chalk someones statement up to be moronic… Dated = outmoded…. outmoded = no longer acceptable, current, or usable. Many of the technological apsects of the film Alien are DATED… again.. it doesn't make the fucking film bad… christ sake, what a bunch of fucktards you guys can be… is it the movies fault that it has become dated, NO, but it doesn't eliminate that it has become dated… talk about blind loyality… you would make a great Priest…

@Comment #8 (Nick)

Dude, you are a idiot or either highly short-sighted with complete ignorance let alone you are wrong on several levels.

@Comment #2 (Cromm Cruach)

STFU! You are just another typical moron speaking out of his @$$. Ridley's "Robin Hood" is going to be a solidified film. It has the potential to be one of the best films of the summer if not of the year. So, get bent dude!

@Comment #9 (Giraffe)

Yet just another individual who is incorrect & misguided. Calling "Alien" just "okay" shows it exactly what you know or in better words don't know.

P.S. Some of you people need to get over the "Dated" terminology. "Dated" isn't a bad thing by any means. I mean a film is "dated" within a years time but that doesn't mean $%&^. Hell, the greatest era in cinema known as the Golden Age Of Cinema (mid-1930's til mid-1970's) those are all dated films but the majority of them are better then most of today's films by a long shot. Some of you are just so ignorant that it's pathetic.

How so? Because I said a movie from 30 years ago has aged badly… any film that is that old, is going to age… maybe badly was a overexageration… but the original trilogy noticably aged… which isn't a bad thing because it's expected, and doesn't hurt the quality of a film because none really on the overall beleivabilty of it's FX to suceed in what they are doing… I look at Alien, the same way I look at Jaws… both films had obstacles to work with, but both filmmakers new that to make the film work, on a tension and horror level, the best method was the "less is more" was of filmmaking. Only showing portions of the monster not only was frightening, it allowed our imaginations to run wild with "what the fuck is that" moments… but of course, being a hollywood film, they HAVE to show the creature in the end… which come off as a man in a suit… so what? that's what it is.. it was the 70s, they had no other options besides maybe stop motion… the film still works, and works so well, that in the end, you don't really notice it's a man in a suit until you watch it for the 20th time… I hope you don't mean I'm wrong on "so many" levels because I'm called out Alien 4, and the AVP films as unwatchable… cause if so, your an idiot…

#21: If you're accusing me of calling the movie Alien "okay," then I think you missed the point of my post, which is confusing, since it's written in plain fucking English. Take a moment, reread it in its entirety. If you haven't changed your mind, kindly "get bent, dude!"

OMG, the war has begun. I'm confident Ridley will have some solid entertainment planned for the Alien prequels (I've been WTFing over the Space Jockey since 1979); it's not like the guy needs to bother with this sort of thing at this point in his career, and I'm honestly grateful that he is.

Geez, guys. It seems silly to debate the definition of "dated" when we can simply all agree to disagree on whether the look of "Alien" still holds up after 30 years (I, for one, think it remains absolutely amazing, thanks almost entirely to all the ingenius practical effects and brilliant sets).

What we're all missing out on here is, are finally getting the quality of Alien movie that we've been missing out on since "Alien 3"? Everything post-"Aliens" has been either a tired retread or a huge missed opportunity. After "Resurrection," I remember wondering, "Where the hell do you go from THAT? Seems to have pretty well run the series into the ground, right there."

I would've been happier going forward from "Alien 3" with Ripley-free sequels that explained more about not only the aliens themselves (their origins, etc.), but the "space jockeys" seen in the first film's derelict ship.

I think a sequel would have been the BEST approach for dealing with what has now been officially confirmed as the subject matter of the prequel(s), because doing it in the context of a prequel is almost certain to involve heavy human involvement that I think would FAR pre-date the 30-year timeframe Ridley is discussing for this film, given that the jockey was fossilized when the Nostromo crew found him. I think it's much, much better to leave the jockey's story an unsolved mystery for the past, and to use a sequel to have humanity finally confront his species out in space, and to discover their connection to the aliens that way. Forcing this all into a story that pre-dates "Alien" seems a tad far-fetched to me, but I'm hoping the ideas are there to make it all feel consistent with everything we already know and have seen. I was have more than happy to accept that the Company had simply intercepted the derelict's signal, deciphered it and re-routed the Nostromo to pick up the creature detailed in the derelict's warning. To build a big two-part story around that really destroys the sense of mystery that surrounds what was supposed to be humanity's first encounter with the aliens, which is to say the crew of the Nostromo.

BUT, I'll keep my fingers crossed that Ridley's got something brilliant up his sleeve for this one…

everyone's calling everyone an idiot .. there are so many mis-spellings and syntax deficiencies in these comments that it must be troo.

Regardless, Alien is a vintage piece of cinema.

I am thrilled about this development. With Scott at the helm again, the possiblities are intoxicating.

BTW – I have never understood how people can come to the conclusion that "Aliens" is better than "Alien". "Aliens" was a (fine) movie – but just a movie.

"Alien" was a work of art.

Weird. Sometimes I like the films, other times not so much. I mean, they look kinda old, but then some of the new stuff looks kinda retarded. So, I guess what I'm trying to say is…make a new one if it's good, but if it's gonna be a stinker, don't bother. Cheese.

#27, in response to the point you make about Alien being a work of art, for me that was 50% of the draw for me. Obviously the story has to be great, but it has to look not only real but grand, epic, different, original — I wish I could pick better words, but they describe every shot of Alien. There are no wasted shots, they are all works of art. And that shows dedication. I dont know if current filmmakers think thay way. There's psychology behind all of the shots as well. They are all designed to make you feel something. The long shot, used many times in Alien, is used for a reason, to have an effect on the viewer. I think whats missing are risk-taking, original artists behind new films, and I hope Scott goes back to his roots and does it again. One more point, JERRY GOLDSMITH. Unfortunately, he's gone. But the score still can be great. And it has to be, look back at Alien, the score is integral. It, just like many of the shots, is beautiful. It is classical. Do it again, Mr. Scott. Pick a crew that can bring as much beauty and originality to the new films as you did with the first. I am not optimistic it will happen, today's market is for those who like 2009's Star Trek over the originals. Id love to see a movie again that takes 40 minutes to set things up and be great — there's no patience in movies anymore. Good luck!

Same at JoBlo: http://www.joblo.com/index.php?id=31861

My trouser snake is dated.

Yes, the Space jockey was fossilized… I'm not a scientist, but for some reason I think it takes more then 30 years for that to happen. THERE IS NO NEED TO EXPLAIN THE SPACE JOCKEY SINCE IT'S AN EXAMPLE OF EXPERT FORESHADOWING. To me, the SJ, was basically a representation of what would happen to the human race, IF, we tried to mess with this spieceis. Obviously the Sj race was as advanced, if not more so then the humans in the film, and look what happened to him? He was nothing more then that… there is no need to explain what already has a meaning. It's like explaining why Anakin turned into Vader.. we just need to know that it DID happen, not why… same goes with the SJ.. we just needed to know that he died from the creature gestating within him, and that it was carrying hundreds of these eggs… that's it… to explain it, is to waste our time.. our imaginations give us mulititudes of different theories that over the last 30 years, can't be matched by anything put on screen.. that is one of the reason why prequels fail.. specially when it comes to a Classis film that has been out for decades… Ridley, look at what George Lucas did, your following his footsteps right now… STOP… STOP… STOP…. we all would like a new Alien film.. but it doesn't have to connect itself to the orginal trilogy… let it be a standalone film.. it can be ambigious too.. a prequel, a sequel.. a sidequel? Don't burden the story by adding an unneccesary element of connecting the film to Alien. Also, don't bother creating a strong female lead.. to me, that's homaging Ripley just for the sake of it… why bother?

In Alien the look of the computer screens and computer sound effects look are quite dated. Mother's room to me looks comically 70's. Thats it.

I recently re-watched Alien, and besides occasionally "dated" looking tech, the only thing distracting is the Dinnertime Chestburster scene which has been homaged and satired so many times, it's sadly the most goofy effect when it should be frightening as hell, and was initially, back in the day. Yeah, I can say that, I'm old. I'm really not keen on the Prequel idea, or explaining, expanding on ideas that are better left mysterious. It will have CG- because it's pretty much standard practice now, right? Hopefully it'll be good CG at least, and not Mega Piranha SyFy level CG! 😉

Alien is a classic suspense film fueled by dread. Aliens is a cartoon.

@johnjohn
thats not true
im 15 and me and my friends all agree the best horror films are the old ones like halloween and nightmare on elm street
not half the shit spewed out nowadays and the films dont need explosions
the big blockbuster actiuon films that come out every year are generally god awful
were not all stupid

Devin… Are you sure that YOU cornered him? 'Cause it kinda sounds like the dudes from Collider cornered him. N'est pas?
http://www.collider.com/2010/04/23/ridley-scott-confirms-alien-prequel-will-be-shot-in-3d/

I have seen all four alien movies more than 5 times. I am not very fond of the Predator-Alien movies. I agree that Alien is the best of all, followed by Aliens. I am happy to hear that there is going to be a prequel to Alien. In my opinion the prequel will not attract the younger audiences but it will certainly attract many of the older fans interested. There is certainly room to build up on a new story that will lead up to the first Alien. I really hope that the prequels turn out to be something very creative, innovative and exciting.

You know what would be great…
Allow the aliens to be the 'WMDs' of another alien race, and have some dialogue back and forth as to the spin Yutani and Weyland corp have come up with so as to say "No WMDs will ever be found… here's the excuse we've come up with."