Ridley Scott has confirmed that live-action TV series of “Blade Runner” and “Alien” are fast progressing, with pilots written for both shows.
Speaking with the BBC on Monday, the “House of Gucci” helmer suggested the “Blade Runner” adaptation is being plotted as a 10-episode series: “We [have already] written the pilot for ‘Blade Runner’ and the bible. So, we’re already presenting ‘Blade Runner’ as a TV show, the first 10 hours.”
Scott said “Alien” was getting a “similar” treatment. A pilot is being written along with a bible of what transpires in 8-10 hours of the show.
News of an “Alien” series was first announced in December 2020. The show is being set up at cabler FX, with Noah Hawley attached as a showrunner. FX boss John Landgraf described the project last year as “the first ‘Alien’ story set on Earth—and by blending both the timeless horror of the first ‘Alien’ film with the non-stop action of the second, it’s going to be a scary thrill ride that will blow people back in their seats.”
Scott hasn’t previously discussed a “Blade Runner” TV show. An anime series based on the iconic movie, “Blade Runner: Black Lotus,” premiered earlier this month on Adult Swim.
Elsewhere in the interview, which aired as part of the BBC’s popular “Today Show” radio program, the director spoke out about the tragic death of “Rust” cinematographer Halyna Hutchins.
“I don’t know what a real gun or real ammunition was doing on the goddamned set,” said Scott. “Someone should get in trouble for that. Absolutely crazy. You never have any live ammunition near the set.”
The director said he frequently uses “guns that aren’t hollow, but the barrel is solid, so nothing can happen.”
“You get a click and a recoil but nothing will happen,” he continued. “You can put a cap in it but it’s not a blank.”
Scott’s next film is “Kitbag,” a biopic of Napoleon Bonaparte, starring Joaquin Phoenix as the French emperor and Jodie Comer as Marie Antoinette. The director confirmed that production will begin on Jan. 15.