Imitation is the sincerest form of flattery. And that’s just how acclaimed director Ridley Scott felt when he learned a group of New Jersey high schoolers had adapted his film Alien for the stage.
It all started when students of North Bergen High School set out to achieve the impossible and produce Alien: The Play. Mind you, the sci-fi blockbuster had never been adapted for the stage, but that didn’t bother the North Bergen Drama Club. Wondering how it turned out? Just watch a little clip here.
Yep, they completely crushed it. And while their visual FX aren’t quite on par with Scott’s film, they’re still wildly impressive. Impressive enough to garner Scott’s attention.
The 81-year-old director came across the clip on the internet and opted to write the drama club an encouraging letter.
He commended the students on their “ambitious show” and congratulated them on their “creativity, imagination and determination.”
And, since Scott has helmed momentous films such as The Martian, Gladiator and Blade Runner among many others, he knows a thing or two about production. So he offered a few words of advice. “Limitations often produce the best results because imagination and determination can surpass any shortfalls and determine the way forward—ALWAYS.”
He went on to encourage the high schoolers to carry on their ambitious paths and not let anything set them back. He concluded by saying he “felt very complimented” by their decision to reboot his film and also informed them of his plans to fund an encore performance of their play. While Scott was at it, he also suggested they try their hand at adapting another one of his films: Gladiator.
Your move, students of North Bergen High School.
