Filming is underway at locations around Australia on the Ridley Scott-helmed Alien: Covenant. The film follows the mixed-bag prequel Prometheus and promises a direct link up to everyone’s favorite titular killing machines. It may also answer the questions posed in the prequel about why the Engineers seeded human life and created the xenomorphs.
At the conclusion of Prometheus, only one man (droid) was left standing – at least since Noomi Rapace dropped out of the prequel sequel – Michael Fassbender’s David. The hard-working actor, currently filming Covenant, had some impressive things to say about the upcoming production.
In an interview with the Philippine Daily Inquirer, Fassbender discusses his spate of upcoming and in-production films. Reprising his role in Covenant, the actor is in a unique position to compare and contrast the sets and conditions with its predecessor, as well as its unwinding path toward its founding film. Fassbender also teases what everyone’s been hoping for, those nasty little murder-machines:
“There are going to be great sets and aliens coming out of people. It’s amazing to watch Ridley work. I try to soak up as much knowledge as I can from him, because having worked on this kind of films a few times and having seen how many moving parts there are, how many people work on the set and how many departments need attention and the language, he’s an absolute master."
He also lauds the set design on Covenant. For an actor who’s worked on some highly inventive films (X-Men: Apocalypse and Assassin’s Creed, just to name two), his praise bodes well for the Prometheus follow-up.
Fassbender’s words are very encouraging to fans who, although excited by Prometheus, were somewhat underwhelmed by its payoff. Although much of the appeal of the Alien series was due to its fantastic futuristic set pieces and technology, it was the gritty realism of blue-collar space travel which helped audiences better identify with the characters.
“The sets are fantastic. Again, the most impressive sets I’ve seen since ‘Prometheus,’ which was the original setting. It’s a fantastic mixture of high-end technology and primitive elements. The way that I can explain it is the same way that Ridley did ‘Blade Runner.’
As more images emerge, it will be interesting to watch the films slowly connect to one another. However, it’s important Scott doesn’t crib too much of his earlier stylistic elements for Alien: Covenant. The key to creating a believable sequence of films leading back to the Alien is portraying the evolution (or devolution) of the universe along the way. While Fassbender would be foolish to criticize a film he’s currently shooting, hence promoting, his praise seems genuine. If Scott can capture his Blade Runner/Alien blend of high tech and “primitive” design, Covenant could be the Alien film fans have been waiting for.
Next: Alien: Covenant Official Image Reveals Weyland-Yutani Connection
Alien: Covenant opens in U.S. theaters on August 4, 2017.
Source: Philippine Daily Inquirer
