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James Franco secretly cast in Alien: Covenant!

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Scified2016-12-09 07:47:20https://www.scified.com/articles/james-franco-secretly-cast-alien-covenant-23.jpg
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The cat is finally out of the bag. James Franco will star in Alien: Covenant as the captain of the USCSS COVENANT colony ship. His casting was originally kept under wraps for reasons unknown. We can confirm through our own sources that this initial report by AvPGalaxy is not a rumor.

We also know his character's name is Branson and that he will act as the husband to Katherine Waterston's character Daniels. His screentime will not be as prevalent as some of the other cast, however and will appear primarily at the beginning of the film and briefly near the end.

Interestingly enough, Franco had also tried his luck at Shane Black's upcoming Predator sequel, but dropped out to pursue other interests.

What do you think of James Franco's secret casting? Let us know your thoughts below!

Do you have news to share on Fede Álvarez's Alien: Romulus? Click here to submit any information you have, or to ask any questions! Browse other conversations about Alien: Romulus by other Alien fans in the Alien: Romulus forums here.

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Written by ChrisPublished on 2016-12-09 07:47:20

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31 Comments

Durp004

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 7:59 AM

Wondering why this was kept a secret.

Chad Ripley

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 8:03 AM

Wow I don't know how they kept that a secret. He's definitely toast though lol. Maybe he's the one who gets bursted near the end during the shower scene. 

I could see him and Waterson thinking that their ok after battling some aliens and then bam a Alien bursts out of his back which turns Waterson into the badass of the series. Although before Franco dies I bet he gets Daniels (Waterson) pregnant with our one and only Ripley. 

The only reason I keep thinking that Daniels is her mother is because her name is just Daniels on IMDB. Plus this secret casting makes me believe it even further. I bet Franco's last name is revealed at the end as Ripley. 

David 7

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 8:04 AM

He most likely will stay aboard the Covenant as the Captain. Though, in the end I can see him sacrificing himself to save his wife.

David 7

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 8:07 AM

It also read over at AVP Galaxy that he shot some clips for "viral" footage. This then says they will update the Weyland Site with it now recruiting for colony jobs to build better worlds.

SuperBerserker

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:12 AM

 Oh God! Ripley's father?

BigDave

MemberDeaconDec-09-2016 8:13 AM

If its true regarding he is in the movie briefly at start and the end...

If this is not fabricated in anyway.. it to me gives the Plot away a bit... well makes me think about it...

Could he be the undercover slime-ball.... who abandons some of the Covenant Crew?

Surely if he is Captain flies a Large Ship and sends down the crew or some in a smaller one.... we have to ask when Hell breaks loose why would he not want to try and get them back ASP?

Unless he is not a bad guy but more of a Ripley... and this time he is in Space and not on the ground so we cant have no "sneaky ASH letting Kane in to break Quarantine Protocols" type of incident.

 

David 7

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 8:21 AM

Well, their transport does get destroyed, or so we think by the set pictures we saw. So, they must have two shuttles and possible and escape module of some sort. 

 

The quesuok as stated is will Franco be an agent of Weyland Yutani who knows about the signal coming from the planet 

SuperBerserker

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:23 AM

Well, if he's going to be Daniels's husband, I probably see him sacrificing himself to save his wife, as they've mentioned before. Or maybe roll a semi novel as it was to have originally with Ripley and Dallas in the first movie. If that's what it is, Daniels would have left alive and will find out she's pregnant later. The last name of the two is still a secret, one of them will be the connection with Ripley, Daniels we can assume it will be her mother, remains to know who gives the name? Is it Daniels Ripley or Branson Ripley?

SuperBerserker

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:27 AM

Maybe that explosion might be at the beginning of the movie. Covenant must be anchored as Nostromo stayed in ALIEN. After the repairs that come make the escape of the planet! However during the temporary stay in the same, they find David and the Xenos. And Shawn? Naomi made recordings, but nothing about her has been mentioned to this day.

Ronin

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:32 AM

Maybe he might also have an iconic scene like john hurt from alien. What do you guys think

MonsterZero

MemberXenomorphDec-09-2016 8:35 AM

Hmmm...Why a secret? Were they afraid they might have to cut the scenes? or is this some sequel spoiler?

 

Amazed nothing leaked about this during the summer!

Materializer

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:51 AM

Wasn't McBride... uhhm..

123Engineer

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 9:12 AM

Mhm I don't know what I should think about the fact that there are quite well known actors. In Prometheus I just knew Fassbender. Now we have actors like Demian Bichir, Danny McBride, James Franco and of course Rapace... Pearce..

However, I'm still extremely excited.

SuperBerserker

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 9:20 AM

Or maybe it parallels the previous death planned for Holloway, which was discarded. Therefore, Ridley will be taking advantage of a lot that was abandoned in the previous PROMETHEUS script.

Chris

AdminEngineerDec-09-2016 10:10 AM

Tbh when I first heard this I thought it was a joke. But, indeed it's legit. I suspect Franco stays on the ship and that's why we don't see much of him. Most of the film likely takes place on the planet's surface. I do kind of see him dying by Alien burst however, for dramatic effect.

Lone

MemberPraetorianDec-09-2016 10:17 AM

Still collating on this one!

Why the secrecy, why Franco? Ridley normally casts lesser known or character actors for his Alien movies.

Well, at least it's not Tom Cruise! Cast him in an Alien movie and I'm out for good!

Aorta

MemberFacehuggerDec-09-2016 11:00 AM

LOL with Cruise I think I'd give it a chance. But Schwarzenegger would put me off it.

Utahproject

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 11:18 AM

Clearly, James Franco is Danny McBrides weed dealer. So by default, being around this set some much, Ridley was like " you just wanna be in this thing or what"

Skysnap

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 11:26 AM

I think he'll make a good captain. Not sure why some casts were kept hidden. I guess even vickers will be shown in flashback. 

Centauri

MemberPraetorianDec-09-2016 11:39 AM

movie secrets are great and Franco is awesome, his character is probably going to die horribly...

Slavusha

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 12:28 PM

He is the lamest actor on the planet. Why Ridley, WHYYYYY?!

Chris

AdminEngineerDec-09-2016 12:50 PM

@Utahproject "you just wanna be in this thing or what" hahahaha Yeah I bet, eh! That's hilarious.

Lone

MemberPraetorianDec-09-2016 12:51 PM

@Aorta-Noob~ "Get to da choppa!" ;)

@UtahProject~ Hahahahah, that's brilliant!

Hudson25

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 2:47 PM

I like Franco, I like Alien.. together in the same movie? Eh... the jury is going to be out until I see it.  

However, with he and McBride together I would be remissed if they didn't pounce on the chance to give them the best stoner scene in sci-fi history.

Scene set inside the ship's hangar.

Their characters are busy toking up to ease the tension and fear.  Suddenly, they see the Alien emerge from across the room; they look at it, then look at each other.  Franco in his usual stoner voice; "hey....you think we should give him a hit?"  McBride laughs and eggs him on to do it.  The Alien takes its time approaching them and when it comes close, it stops to observe their weird behavior.  Puzzled by their lack of fear, the Alien just stands there allowing them to talk to it some more.  Franco offers the doobie to the Alien, the Alien then smacks it away and devours them.

End scene.

I would totally laugh my ass off if that happened.  Yes it would probably cheapen the movie as a whole, but that would be worth the price of admission!

Pineapple Express in Space!

 

BigDave

MemberDeaconDec-09-2016 5:03 PM

Sorry Hudson....

Been done before mate...... the Spaights and Lindeloff Fifield and Milburn Scene......  that was changed to the Space Cobra petting one in Prometheus LOL

But if its not been shown... then why not re-use the unused ideas.. and so Stoned Humans trying to talk and pet Aliens could be on the cards ;)

Hudson25

MemberOvomorphDec-09-2016 8:19 PM

Although true Dave, they would have classically trained stoners playing those roles this time around.  It could one up what we got in Prometheus. Lol

Neomorph

MemberChestbursterDec-09-2016 10:06 PM

Not exactly the choice of actor I'd expect but he might fit like a glove for the specific role sought out by the casting agents and Ridley. 

Patient Leech

MemberFacehuggerDec-11-2016 3:50 AM

Oh Christ. I can't believe this is for real... not James Franco... *Facepalm*

Lalo S.

MemberOvomorphDec-11-2016 6:42 PM

 I like it.

 

django421

MemberOvomorphDec-12-2016 5:20 AM

I am assuming since McBride is already involved, they didn't want people to make comedic assumptions about the film.

 

Neomorph

MemberChestbursterDec-12-2016 5:49 AM

Yeah McBride himself wondered whether he'd be the "comic relief" in this film in an interview, but realized and said that "there's no humour in this film att all"

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Alien: Covenant is a sequel to 2012's Prometheus as well as a prequel to 1979's ALIEN. Alien fans looking to know more about Alien: Covenant should check back often. Alien-Covenant.com is an information resource for film enthusiasts looking to learn more about the upcoming blockbuster Alien: Covenant. Providing the latest official and accurate information on Alien: Covenant, this website contains links to every set video, viral video, commercial, trailer, poster, movie still and screenshot available. This site is an extension of the Alien & Predator Fandom on Scified - a central hub for fans of Alien and Prometheus looking to stay up-to-date on the latest news. Images used are property of their respective owners. Alien: Covenant, Prometheus and its associated names, logos and images are property of 20th Century Fox and are in no way owned by Scified and its related entities. This is a fan-created website for the purpose of informing and exciting fans for Alien: Covenant's release. If you have any questions about this site, its content or the Scified Network in general, feel free to contact Scified directly.

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