Alien: Earth Cast And Crew Talks Bringing The Alien Franchise To Earth

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In the realm of the “Alien” series, FX’s “Alien: Earth” transports audiences to a time and setting that has not been explored before: Earth, two years prior to the ill-fated journey of the USCSS Nostromo. This Earth is ruled by five distinct corporations, among them the infamous Weyland-Yutani and emerging Prodigy; each company vies for control over land while also chasing the elusive “path to immortality” through advancements in cyborg and artificial technology. When a Weyland-Yutani vessel crashes within Prodigy’s territory, the characters of “Alien: Earth” find themselves grappling with ancient and novel dangers alike.

GameRant held conversations with Noah Hawley (creator, writer, and director of Alien: Earth), David W. Zucker (executive producer), as well as Sydney Chandler (as Wendy), Alex Lawther (Hermit), Babou Ceesay (Morrow), Samuel Blenkin (Boy Kavalier), and Timothy Olyphant (Kirsh) concerning the upcoming series. They shared insights on the difficulties of depicting hybrids, cyborgs, and synthetics, the current status of Prodigy Corp, and their experiences when confronted by a Xenomorph during filming. Hawley elaborated more on his experience of narrating a tale within Ridley Scott’s intriguing universe, discussing the hurdles and successes of introducing the Alien franchise to Earth for the first time. (This transcript has been revised for conciseness and clarity.)

Honoring Ridley Scott’s Legacy And Creating Something New

Game Rant: How do you honor the horror roots of the Alien franchise?

As a movie enthusiast, let me tell you, Ridley’s film is remarkably unique. It doesn’t follow the usual horror tropes for the initial 30 minutes. Unlike classics such as The Shining, it lacks the spine-tingling music, the ominous atmosphere, and the sweeping shots over glacial lakes. Instead, it unfolds like a realistic workplace drama. The characters are grizzled and underpaid, often seen smoking while they eat, and their conversations overlap in a way that feels all too familiar for those who’ve worked in less-than-ideal conditions. In fact, I can’t remember another science fiction film that portrays the monotonous life of a space trucker so accurately.

Later, an eerie foreboding creeps into the ordinary life, gradually intensifying into fear and revulsion. Our intention here is to pay tribute to the movie’s beginning, aiming to convey that we share the same sense of familiarity with the film Alien. This way, we assure the audience that we appreciate the authenticity needed for them to think, “We’re in capable hands.

As a film critic, I must say, this sequel cleverly builds upon its predecessor by introducing fresh storylines. It was crucial to kick things off with visuals reminiscent of the original – the identical mess hall, bridge, and comms room – to assure both the audience and director Ridley Scott that we’re on a new yet familiar vessel. Re-watching this movie is an enjoyable experience, as it transports you back to the original while offering something new.

Game Rant Analysis: Alien: Earth showcases an appreciation for the original Alien films by Ridley Scott, while introducing fresh elements like Prodigy Corp. The article delves into the mystery behind Prodigy – a distinctive corporation led by a child prodigy and adorned with Peter Pan motifs. What sparked the creation of this intriguing company?

In the game analysis for Alien: Earth, we discover that it maintains a connection to Ridley Scott’s classic films while adding original components, one of which is Prodigy Corp. The article seeks to explain the origins of this peculiar corporation, run by a child genius and brimming with Peter Pan-inspired themes. What factors influenced its inception?

Pondering the title of the series as Alien: Earth and our arrival on Earth, I questioned what Earth represents and when in history this story takes place. This event isn’t happening in a vacuum; it’s rooted in a specific moment in time. The Industrial Age, with its fierce competition for electricity, came to mind, as well as the current moral struggle we’re experiencing. If humanity continues down this war-like path and if someone manages to control the technology at stake, they will emerge victorious. I found this period in history, on the brink of a potential power grab, an intriguing setting for the show.

Zucker finds it thrilling that the films have consistently connected to Earth. Initially, there was an intention to ground it on Earth. This aspect adds another intriguing dimension to Noah’s creation here. He needed to explore, “What was the essence of society, the essence of corporations during that period?” Remarkably, as he wrote this, our world seems to bear more and more resemblance to the one portrayed in his story.

In a more conversational style: How exciting has it been for you to expand the mythos surrounding Weyland-Yutani, a company that typically operates as a shadowy presence within the Alien universe’s media?

Hawley: I found it incredibly thrilling! In the seven films of the Alien series, there isn’t much mythology about the structure of humanity. By placing this at the forefront of the franchise, I had the opportunity to establish a broader understanding of how Earth is governed and introduce the concept of these five corporations, but also delve into Weyland-Yutani as something more than just a faceless corporation that everyone works for. Instead, I wanted to explore the lesser-known Yutani side of the corporation, which was fascinating to me, and believed it would be an engaging starting point.

Sandra Yi Sencindiver plays Yutani, the current head of Weyland-Yutani, in Alien: Earth

The Three Paths To Immortality: Cyborgs, Synthetics, And Hybrids

In a more conversational tone: Game Rant asks, Sydney, how can you effectively portray Wendy in the Alien: Earth series to clearly convey that she’s a child who’s unexpectedly found herself with an advanced, nearly superhuman adult physique?

Chandler: Indeed, it’s quite a puzzle, isn’t it? I discovered that I drew from a variety of sources for this role. It was enjoyable collaborating with the other Lost Boys during pre-production. Noah [Hawley] encouraged us to move away from focusing on the physical aspects and more towards developing our characters’ personalities. Instead of portraying children, we were tasked with embodying genuine individuals. If we had tried to act like children, it might have seemed forced. However, when we focus on portraying the truth of our characters, it hopefully feels more authentic.

In my exploration, I discovered an intriguing observation: While riding the subway in New York City, I found myself sitting on a train, gazing upward. It struck me then how adults seem imposing when viewed from a lower perspective. As I glanced around, I noticed a young boy, about 10-11 years old, who was at eye level with me. In that moment, it hit me – he existed on an entirely distinct plane. This revelation is one of the many reasons I cherish New York City; step onto the subway, and there’s your character.

However, I retained that notion. Consequently, when Wendy stands tall next to her brother or any adult, it carries a sense of empowerment. It’s all about confidence, as you can understand. Therefore, I gathered small pieces from various places and simply incorporated them into the mix, working with an outstanding cast in the process. As a result, I felt as though I was attending an acting class every day.

Game Analysis: Babou, what’s the secret behind Morrow’s unflappable demeanor amidst perilous scenarios, such as being confined aboard a spacecraft alongside an enraged Xenomorph that aims to eliminate the entire team?

Ceesay: He needs to complete what needs to be completed. Morrow is motivated by a larger purpose and sense of duty, so he understands that losing control means failure. Therefore, he remains focused. And that’s how Noah put it, so let’s give him the recognition as well. [Laughs]

Why did young scientist Kavalier pick the story of Peter Pan as his study’s theme, for instance, labeling his lab Neverland and referring to the hybrid creatures as the Lost Boys?

It seems to me he may harbor a slight obsession. He appears to shun conventional moral perspectives, believing he’s exempt from them. He thinks he can simply live life on his terms, embarking on adventures like battling pirates and such. There’s an underlying sense of self-perception as a modern-day superhero about him.

It’s clear there’s a theme concerning children woven into it. Our show characters, who have childlike minds in adult bodies, and children striving to act mature – I find this theme incredibly intriguing given today’s global events, the stories we tell about ourselves, and such ideas. Yes, he’s quite complex indeed.

In a different tone, let’s consider: Game Rant: Initially, Timothy finds himself in a position of responsibility alongside Boy Kavalier, Wendy, and the Lost Boys who seem more like children. What are his feelings towards being their guiding adult figure, particularly when he must supervise them on a perilous quest?

As a dedicated cinephile, I can’t quite tell if he possesses emotions. Does he, really? He seems to express feelings, but I remain uncertain. If he did, wouldn’t that make him… human, after all? And no, I’m not evading the question; I believe that’s the truth. I stand by my statement.

In a different phrase, let me rephrase the statement as follows: Game Rant: Is it possible that Kirsh’s negative view of humanity has been present since his creation, or could it be an attitude that has evolved during his work with Prodigy?

Olyphant: It seems to me that the AI we are dealing with has found a highly functional solution. It’s striving to make everything run smoothly, and it believes this novel approach is superior to the old one. It’s almost as if it’s saying, “I can certainly resolve your issues, but are you sure you want to know the solution?

Game Rant Analysis:

We encounter Morrow, a character distinct from other hybrids due to his unique fusion of mechanical and organic traits. What makes him manage being part machine and part human?

This revised sentence retains the original meaning while using more natural, conversational language that is easier for readers to understand.

Ceesay implies that the individual has difficulties with it. He refers to himself as “the most negative aspects of a man.” On some level, it seems he yearns to be more mechanical, similar to Kirsh, demonstrating greater control over his emotions or none at all. This internal conflict is what I attempted to navigate, in a sense.

The Horror and Destruction of Xenomorphs

Game Rant Interview: Alex, from the game, discusses his role in investigating a wrecked Weyland-Yutani spacecraft, which not only created an intense atmosphere but also paid tribute to the classic Alien movie. Could you share your experience working on that particular scene?

Lawther: We typically filmed episodes in the order they would air rather than shooting scenes out of sequence. This allowed both the audience and the actors to gradually understand and develop the characters. It’s fascinating to watch the characters grow, change, mature, and eventually settle into their roles, making it a rewarding experience for everyone involved.

Incidentally, the fortunate choice of filming in that direction resulted in many authentic elements being captured on screen. The explosions, the actors with simulated injuries, the lights and fires – all were genuine. There was a palpable density to the air during shooting, lending an authenticity that surpasses collective imagination. As an actor, I find it advantageous to have tangible props to work with, as they simplify the process significantly.

Following the completion of the initial season’s filming for Alien: Earth, have you developed a fear towards Xenomorphs?

Lawther: No, those are my best friends. We’re buddies.

Chandler: Yes, it appears I still am. As a kid, I was petrified of them, and I think that fear is deeply engrained in me. It’s the additional mouth that pops out that really gets me. Added to all the other aspects, it’s just a horror.

Blenkin: Yes.

Ceesay: Yes.

Olyphant: Not the ones on set. [Laughs]

[END]

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2025-08-06 20:04