Fox tackles new Alien shooter video game

FoxNext, the 21st Century Fox video game division, is getting ready to deliver some mighty xenomorphin' times to players after announcing a new shooter for PCs and consoles based on the Alien franchise.

The news, via press release, comes after the division acquired developer Cold Iron Studios.

According to the release, acquiring the developer is part of a “commitment to deliver new AAA offerings across numerous fan favorite properties and original games.”

Aaron Loeb, president of studios at FoxNext Games went on: “Cold Iron Studios has amazing design, craftsmanship and development talent that we are excited to welcome at FoxNext Games as we pursue our goal to build a multi-platform, multi-genre portfolio of great games ... I am a personal fan of Cold Iron’s previous work and all of us at FoxNext Games are thrilled to be working with them as they create an action-packed persistent world, steeped in the mysteries of this beloved Alien universe.”

Thus far Cold Iron hasn't shipped a game, but the team behind it has worked on BioShock Infinite and Metroid Prime 3.

Previous Alien video games -- Sega's Aliens vs. Predator (2010), Aliens: Colonial Marines (2013) and Alien: Isolation (2014) -- were all developed by Sega, and have a mixed record. But if FoxNext's faith is well-placed in Cold Iron, then there is a lot of opportunity to deliver a tense, horror-centric shooter that honors the franchise, and satisfies players.

Release is TBD.

What would you want to see from a new Alien video game?

-Aaron Sagers

The Old and New 'Ghostbusters' Meet in This 'Mashed' Animated Short

The peeps over at Mashed recently smooshed together the original four Ghostbusters with the "sexy, new, young, beautiful" Ghostbusters in this three-minute animated short. "Channing Tatum" leads the new crew and pranks the original team by calling them in to investigate a spooky, old orphanage.

Douchtastic Tatum uses terms such as "bro," "kegger" and "butthole" and he's just awful. The pranks include scaring the old guys with a Xenomorph from "Alien," sewing the three living Ghostbusters together ala "The Human Centipede" and scaring ghost-Egon with the Billy puppet from "Saw." Who wants to join me in kicking this new team's ass?

It's all in good fun, right? Check it out and let us know what you think. I kind of like how they're making fun of the future reboots but damn it, leave the fab four alone!

-Larissa Mrykalo

Neill Blomkamp and Sigourney Weaver Reveal Details About Next 'Alien' Film

We recently reported that Chappie director, Neill Blomkamp's persistence is resulting in a new, stand-alone Alien film but the only hints as to what may be heading our way, was through some concept art. Now we have more clues thanks to an exclusive Sky Movies interview with Blomkamp and Ripley herself, Sigourney Weaver.

The Blomkamp-directed, Ridley Scott-produced film will hopefully start production next year and since this is Blomkamp's next project, that goal will most likely be met. We can hope.

So what does he have in store for us? He reveals, “I want this film to feel like it is literally the genetic sibling of Aliens, so it’s Alien, Aliens and then this film.” He also stated, “It’s a Freudian nightmare. That element to me is what is so appealing; to put the audience on the edge of their seat the whole time in a traditional, monster-stalking-you, dark-corridor-way. I love that. And then when you mix in all of the deign elements and the life cycle of the alien, it’s a powder keg of creativity for me.”

So far, so good but how does Weaver feel? She mentions, “I would love to take Ripley out of sort of orbiting around in space and give a proper finish to what was such an excellent story. So when someone like Neill Blomkamp said, ‘Well, I’m interested in finishing the story,’ my little ears perked up… I think it’s a great series. It deserves a proper ending—I know the fans would love that.”

Would we? It should be interesting to see how this pans out and we'll keep you posted on any more luscious bites on this film. UPDATE: The video has been made private but the quotes above are the meat of the one and a half minute interview.

-Larissa Mrykalo

New "Alien" Film Confirmed

Courtesy Neill Blomkamp's Instagram

After months of speculation and teasing, it was just confirmed that there will indeed be a new Alien film. The sci-fi project is being developed by 20th Century Fox and they have closed a deal with director Neill Blomkamp, according to Variety.

The film is also not associated with Fox and Ridley Scott's Prometheus sequel. Blomkamp just posted his confirmation on Instagram proclaiming, "Um... So I think it's officially my next film. #alien"

We'll keep you posted on any new details but would love to hear what you think. I know I'm bursting at the chest with excitement!

-Larissa Mrykalo

New 'Alien vs. Predator' Maze Coming to Universal Studios Halloween Horror Nights

Have you ever wondered how you'd react if you ever came in contact with a Xenomorph or a Predator? Of course you have, and now thanks to a collaboration with Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products, Universal Orlando Resort and Universal Studios Hollywood are making this awesomeness happen.  Adding to their already epic line-up of scares, “Halloween Horror Nights" has added an "all-new, horrifying maze inspired by the cult sci-fi franchise AVP: Alien vs. Predator, beginning Friday, September 19, 2014."

Here are all the just-released details via Universal:

"AVP: Alien vs. Predator" is a sci-fi horror franchise that brings together the two iconic species spawned from two blockbuster films, Alien and Predator, to create a terrifying crossover of eponymous monsters in a raging battle against mankind struggling to survive amid the chaos that ensues from these two vengeful creatures. To mark the 35th anniversary celebration of Alien, and the 10th anniversary of AVP: Alien vs. Predator, “Halloween Horror Nights” guests and fans of these celebrated films will have a chance to live the horror of these diabolical beasts as they come face to face with the terror of Aliens and Predators.

Fox Celebrates 35th Anniversary of "Alien" with Release of First Ever Ellen Ripley Action Figure

Courtesy IMDB

For 35 years now, "Alien" has been a cross-genre fan favorite franchise. To commemorate this sci-fi horror film's anniversary, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and toy gurus, NECA, are making Lieutenant Ellen Ripley into the action figure she deserves to be for the first time ever. The action figure will feature the likeness of Sigourney Weaver, the Oscar Nominated actress that brought the bad-ass monster fighting Ripley to life.

Jeffrey Godsick, president of Fox Consumer Products, spoke on the commemoration by saying “As we celebrate the 35th anniversary of one of the most successful film franchises of all time, we are thrilled to introduce an array of commemorative products across different categories in partnership with iconic brands including NECA, SEGA and many more[...] In addition to the highly anticipated release of Alien: Isolation™, hardcore fans can finally add Lieutenant Ellen Ripley to their ALIEN collections as we welcome her NECA figures into the family of officially-licensed merchandise. Many other exciting first-time and limited edition products will also release to celebrate this exciting milestone this year.”

'Alien: Isolation' Officially Announced By SEGA

It was 35 years ago that audiences were terrified by a film that threatened, "In space, no one can hear you scream." The film was called "Alien" and fans can now engage in a terrifying experience, playing as Ripley's daughter, Amanda, with SEGA's soon-to-be-released, "Alien: Isolation." Three years in the making, SEGA finally made it official in an announcement via press release. Although discussion of the game and its features have been speculated on since October, we now have confirmation and the game is set to be released in late 2014.

"Alien: Isolation" is described as "...a thrilling first-person survival horror experience that will focus on capturing the horror and tension evoked by Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic film. Developed by Creative Assembly, "Alien: Isolation" is due for release in late 2014 on PlayStation®4 computer entertainment system, Xbox One, the all-in-one games and entertainment system from Microsoft, PlayStation®3 computer entertainment system, Xbox 360 games and entertainment system from Microsoft and Windows PC."

'Donkey-Me' Game Puts Your Favorite Movie Characters Back in Hero Mode

I can’t and don’t want to reveal how many hours and quarters I’ve spent in my youth playing Donkey Kong, but I can promise you, if I could choose a hero from one of my favorite films, it would be infinitely more. Imagine being able to choose Ellen Ripley from “Alien” or Luke Skywalker, or "Conan the Barbarian," or, my personal fav, Indiana Jones, instead of Mario. Oh and put them in their movie’s setting too. Well, an independent video game developer by the name of Bruno R. Marcos has made this a reality.

Marcos developed a game called “Donkey*Me” and by the looks of the promo video (see below), it’s a nostalgic, 8-bit-loving gamer’s dream! You get to choose the hero from films that range from “Star Wars” to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” to “Big Trouble in Little China.”

The full game is available for free download in Windows, Linux and Mac so check out Bruno's web site for further details. I downloaded it on my Mac via Dropbox. Who would you choose to rescue the Princess?



-Larissa Mrykalo

Alien collectible cups bursting onto scene

It doesn’t matter what shape or form it is in, anything collectible from the Alien franchise is really cool. They are the most fearsome, vicious and coolest looking creatures in the galaxy.

I wish I had rooms in my house designed to look like I live on the Nostromo, but I will settle for nifty little collectibles like these cups being released by Super7, which we first learned about from Dread Central. You may notice the style of these glasses makes them look as if they are cups you got from Burger King in the '80s (even notice how the Super7 logo kinda looks like BK’s?).

Read on for the official statement below and keep your eye out for these suckers! Stay Frosty!

Inspired by vintage "Fast Food" glasses, these four glasses from Super7 present a memorable scene from Ridley Scott’s 1979 sci-fi horror movie Alien on the front side, featuring colorful artwork created exclusively for this gift set. The backs reveal the four-part lifecycle of the Xenomorph – the menacing Alien creature itself. This collectible set includes: The Space Jockey, "Big Chap" aka The Alien, Kane’s Chestburster, and Ripley & the Airlock. Each 16-ounce Pint Glass measures approximately 5 ¾" tall. $49.99 Boxed Set of Four.

-Andrew Peters

'E.T.' designer Carlo Rambaldi: 1925-2012

Rambaldi and E.T., courtesy AICN,
Universal

I first saw this sad news over at Ain't It Cool News, and wanted to share. Carlo Rambaldi was one of those movie magic masters who helped create some of the most celebrated images from my childhood. In addition to his Oscar-winning design work on E.T. The Extra-Terrestrial, Rambaldi helped to design the sandworms in Dune, the aliens from Close Encounters of the Third Kind, and helped to create the Alien head.

As AICN aptly puts it, it was Rambaldi's work on E.T. that we'll remember him most fondly for because, "E.T. is squat, ugly, and completely loveable, and that's due to Rambaldi's ability to make him as real as possible, not only to the audience, but even to the actors on set."

-Aaron Sagers

Alien skull discovered in Peru? Probably not

This is a mummified alien skull. No, it is not just the noggin of a deformed child (or Helen Hunt), but a legit alien skull. How can we be so sure? Science tells us so.

Yahoo! News reports that a Peruvian anthropologist found the "triangle shaped" skull with a 20-inch body, and that news site RPP interviewed five anonymous Spanish and Russian doctors who pointed to the stars instead of some seriously messed-up human DNA.

According to RPP:

It has a non-human appearance because the head is triangular and big, almost the same size as the body. At first we believed it to be a child's body until Spanish and Russian doctors came and confirmed that, yes, it's an extraterrestrial being.

Well, we have all been hoping for some really conclusive evidence of alien life for some time now, so we might as well take the word of anonymous "doctors." Let's just chalk it up to an early Thanksgiving treat. Although we here are thinking one of those docs must actually be named Zoidberg based on their extensive knowledge of human anatomy.

(Note to collective self: Add "Have you ever declared deformed skeletal remains as alien?" to healthcare professional questionnaire.)