In the Alien: Earth series and its prequels, Xenomorphs are characterized as the ultimate life form. Through evolution, they have developed remarkable adaptability and have become swift, lethal predators that can complete their mission successfully regardless of location or opponent.
It’s not by chance that the Alien series has shown remarkable adaptability over the years. Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking film from 1979 set the stage for horror, which has since morphed into action (as seen in James Cameron’s Aliens), delved into philosophical prequels like Prometheus in 2012, and is now making its Earthly debut through a new TV series.
In a unique twist, the new Alien sci-fi series, titled “Alien: Earth,” doesn’t merely stick to the familiar territory of homebound settings. Set in 2120, a mere two years prior to Ridley Scott’s initial Alien film, creator Noah Hawley demonstrates an innovative approach, not adhering strictly to the canonical expectations one might anticipate.
Ever since Marvel and DC have captivated audiences with their expansive shared universes, it’s become increasingly common to embrace the incredible potential that comes from weaving a larger narrative tapestry across multiple projects. In this spirit, it seems logical to envision Alien: Earth as a seamless addition to the existing Alien timeline, drawing on an array of elements spanning its remarkable 45-year legacy.
If so, you assumed wrong.
In the course of their discussions, Hawley delved deeper into the topic alongside James Hibbs, who was a part of what they referred to as the “TopMob Writers’ Room.” During this conversation, he clarified why Alien: Earth chose to run concurrently with the films instead of directly drawing from them.
The concept must stand on its own. There are recognizable elements, nods to other works. In essence, just as Fargo does with a dash of Lebowski and certain tones or aspects, this will also incorporate those elements. For instance, the James Cameron film had Newt and Bill Paxton; she behaves like an adult, while he acts childishly. Similarly, in our case, these adult characters will display childish behavior. You might think, ‘Ah, that tone is reminiscent of Alien,’ so when you see these adults behaving immaturely, it’s because that tone is already present in the Alien series.
In simple terms, that scene is an excellent demonstration of capturing the spirit of a story without merely rehashing previous content. While the initial episode seems reminiscent of the 1979 version, it swiftly leads us down a unique and distinct path from the original Alien narrative.
The music and set design are charmingly nostalgic, yet Hawley doesn’t begin by referencing older Alien films. Instead, he does so to demonstrate that his team is well-versed in the universe they’re entering, showing they can dismantle and reimagine it while still maintaining what makes Alien distinctively “Alien”.
In much the same way as the Alien vs Predator films don’t align with the Alien series continuity, the show Alien: Earth doesn’t strictly adhere to connections within the larger universe. Notably, Hawley decided to predominantly bypass the prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, opting instead to primarily draw creative influence from the original Alien and its sequel, Aliens.
The original information about this topic was shared at a SXSW panel in May, as reported by Inverse. During this event, director F. Scott Hawley clarified his stance on where the movie “Alien” fits within the larger storyline. He explained that Ridley Scott’s film “Prometheus” dealt with the origins of these creatures, but it didn’t align with how he saw these movies playing out. Consequently, he decided not to include this part of the story in his work and instead focused on the Alien creature that was familiar to him.
In my creative process, I didn’t establish a comprehensive timeline encompassing every detail from previous writings about the events. However, this doesn’t necessarily invalidate or overwrite the prequel movies.
Although purists might find issue with this approach, it offers substantial advantages. Despite the quality of the prequels, their overly complex effort to unravel the beginnings of both Xenomorphs and humanity only left more mysteries unsolved. Blending such intricate mythology into Alien: Earth could potentially dilute Hawley’s gritty, no-nonsense portrayal of these monstrous creatures.
In the very same SXSW discussion, he emphasized, “Given its age and variety of films across different eras, if you attempt to follow every thread or scrutinize it all, you might just lose your mind.
In simpler terms, exploring every detail related to the Alien mythos can be quite extensive, given its complexity. And recent box office results from Marvel have shown that today’s viewers might not be as willing as before to invest time understanding all the intricate links in a shared universe, which often require some background knowledge.
Choosing a condensed yet clear introduction, “Alien: Earth” serves as an ideal starting point for viewers new to this universe’s complexities, offering them a straightforward entry.
Hawley demonstrates repeatedly that he has a knack for adding his unique touch to already recognized works, starting with his award-winning Fargo TV show, followed by the bold and nearly unidentifiable reinterpretation of X-Men in Legion, which left casual viewers somewhat bewildered.
In simpler terms, the movie “Alien” doesn’t exactly start everything from scratch like some other movies might. Instead, it blends the essence of the earlier Alien films while still carving out its own unique identity and not being completely tied down by those predecessors.
The shift in their location, transporting the Xenomorphs from outer space to Earth, offers a fresh perspective on them. This transformation illuminates the dread these creatures instill in a completely new way. In doing so, Hawley succeeds in making the horror they embody feel more tangible and “less theoretical” than it has ever been before.
Or simply:
The move from space to Earth reveals the Xenomorphs in a brand-new light, making their terror more relatable and “less intellectual” than previously imagined.
Hawley indicates that it’s clear to him that none of us have had the experience of being on a spaceship before, isn’t that correct? He explains that we don’t inhabit space environments like these creatures do. However, when you see these creatures near trees or in yards, those are environments familiar to us because we live in homes. The intriguing aspect of placing these creatures within real ecosystems is that it provides a wealth of both visually appealing and compelling storytelling possibilities.
By deviating from the established storyline (or canon), the series can avoid one significant problem. For instance, since no subsequent tales refer to an Xenomorph invasion back on their home planet, it’s puzzling why Earth’s inhabitants always seem taken aback by these fearsome creatures when they appear. Considering how sensational such an event would be, wouldn’t there have been news reports or public awareness about the aliens beforehand? Thus, freeing the show from canon allows for a more plausible and engaging narrative as we encounter the Xenomorphs on Earth without prior knowledge of their presence.
It’s plausible they kept their actions hidden from the public if they successfully contained their attacks. Additionally, it’s conceivable that corporations like Weyland-Yutani deceitfully informed their employees and pretended to be shocked, all in an effort to keep these secrets under wraps.
Regardless of which path we take, it’s all pretty much the same. That’s the freedom of deviating from established stories. If Hawley chooses to clarify any inconsistencies, he certainly has that option, but there’s no necessity to intricately plan for it in the script to ensure its occurrence.
This versatility allows Hawley and his team to adjust their approach at their discretion, enabling them to concentrate on crafting an outstanding tale. And judging by the feedback, it seems they’re doing a fantastic job indeed.
Starting this week, new installments of “Alien: Earth” will drop on Disney+ each Wednesday. Consider signing up to Disney+ today for just £4.99 per month or save with an annual subscription at £89.90!
Don’t forget to include ‘Alien: Earth’ in your watchlist using the TopMob: What to Watch application. Get it today for personalized daily TV suggestions, special features, and much more!”
By breaking down the original sentence into simpler phrases and eliminating some unnecessary words, I aimed to create a version that is easier to understand while still conveying the same meaning.
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2025-08-15 09:40