Aliens' success resulted in immediate discussion of a sequel.[25] Alien 3 was released in 1992, after a tumultuous development involving several writers and directors; Cameron did not return.[256][257][258] The film was financially successful, but "generally panned" by critics, and its director, David Fincher, disowned it after the release, citing studio interference.[256] The film was also derided by fans because it killed the Hicks and Newt characters off-screen. Biehn called it one of his greatest disappointments and refused permission for the use of his likeness in Alien 3.[4][259] Regarding the treatment of his characters, Cameron said:
I thought [the decision to eliminate Newt, Hicks, and Bishop] was dumb ... I thought it was a huge slap in the face to the fans ... I think it was a big mistake. Certainly, had we been involved we would not have done that, because we felt we earned something with the audience for those characters.[31][260]
An early script for Alien 3, by William Gibson, was adapted as a 2019 audio drama, focusing on Hicks as the protagonist, with Biehn and Henriksen voicing their respective roles.[258][261] A five-hour 2017 audio drama, River of Pain, takes place between Alien and Aliens and covers the early days of the LV-426 colony and its downfall to the aliens. Actors returning to voice their characters included William Hope, Mac MacDonald, Stuart Milligan, and Alibe Parsons.[21] A third sequel, Alien Resurrection, was released in 1997.[262] Instead of a fourth sequel, Fox began development of a prequel crossover film, Alien vs. Predator (2004), pitting the series' aliens against the titular alien race of its science-fiction property, Predator;[263][264] the film was poorly received.[265][266] It was followed by a sequel, Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), the least financially-successful and worst-reviewed film in either franchise.[267]
Ridley Scott returned to the series for Prometheus (2012) (a prequel to Alien) and its sequel, Alien: Covenant (2017).[268][269] A fourth Alien sequel was in development by 2020, but was canceled by the Walt Disney Company following its acquisition of 20th Century Fox.[270][271] A stand-alone film in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, is scheduled for release in 2024; it is set between the events of Alien and Aliens.[272][273][274]
