You Won’t Believe How ‘Alien: Earth’ Connects to the Original Franchise

by

After the triumph of “Alien: Romulus” in August last year, fans won’t have to endure a long wait for the next installment in the “Alien” universe. Slated for a summer 2025 premiere on Hulu, the popular science fiction horror franchise will make its small-screen debut with the launch of the continuous FX series titled “Alien: Earth“.

The new show titled “Alien: Romulus” is set before the events of the original 1970s and 1980s Alien movies. Created by Noah Hawley (known for Fargo) and overseen by Ridley Scott, who directed the first installment, the series promises to delve into the origins of the terrifying Xenomorphs on Earth. It aims to blend fresh ideas with the groundbreaking storytelling that made the original films legendary. While details about the show are scarce, here’s what we currently know regarding its position in the timeline, plot developments, cast information, and potential connections to the original movie’s mythos.

The ‘Alien’ Timeline, Explained

A total of nine movies make up the Alien series, starting with its debut in 1979 and stretching as far as Alien: Romulus in 2024. Following the initial movie, various prequels and sequels were added to the mix, creating a somewhat confusing chronology due to their scattered release order.

‘Alien’ in Release Order

The sequence in which they were initially released is as follows: “Alien” (1979), “Aliens” (1986), “Alien 3” (1992), “Alien: Resurrection” (1997), “Alien vs. Predator” (2004), “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” (2007), “Prometheus” (2012), “Alien: Covenant” (2017), and, coming up next in 2024, “Alien: Romulus”.

Movie Release Year
Alien 1979
Aliens 1986
Alien 3 1992
Alien: Resurrection 1997
Alien vs. Predator 2004
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem 2007
Prometheus 2012
Alien: Covenant 2017
Alien: Romulus 2024
Alien: Earth 2025

‘Alien’ in Chronological Order

In contrast, many of the more recent instalments are actually prequels to the first film. This means that a timeline would place “Alien vs. Predator” through “Alien: Covenant” before the 1979 original, and “Alien: Resurrection” immediately after it. However, fans have the freedom to watch them in any order they prefer, though following the series in its original release order often provides a better understanding of its development over time.

Movie Release Year
Alien vs. Predator 2004
Alien vs. Predator: Requiem 2007
Prometheus 2012
Alien: Covenant 2017
Alien: Earth 2025
Alien 1979
Alien: Romulus 2024
Aliens 1986
Alien 3 1992
Alien: Resurrection 1997

Regarding the eagerly awaited show titled “Alien: Earth“, earlier reports had suggested that the plot unfolds towards the end of the 21st century, a few years prior to the events in Prometheus (2093), and approximately three decades before the original film, set in 2122. However, following the release of a teaser trailer, we’ve learned that the series actually begins in 2120, which is just two years before Ridley Scott’s iconic movie introduced us to the crew on the Nostromo. Therefore, this timeline places the series as an interquel, occurring right before the film “Alien” and following the events of “Alien: Covenant“.

What Can Fans Expect to See in ‘Alien: Earth’?

To date, details about the storyline of “Alien: Earth” are scarce, with FX’s synopsis only providing a basic outline: “A young woman named Sydney Chandler and a team of tactical soldiers encounter a grave danger when an unidentified spaceship crashes on Earth.” Given that the original “Alien” also centers around a strong female lead and her crew coming across deadly organisms, it appears that the series will revisit its origins while offering fresh characters new challenges as the aliens threaten their home planet.

In light of the scant clues provided, I, along with fellow fans, have been pondering over the potential narrative based on its 2120 setting. Some speculate it might delve into the Weyland-Yutani megacorp’s intricate connections to the Xenomorphs. Meanwhile, others are eagerly anticipating a sequel that revisits the original crew of the Nostromo as we approach their timeline more closely. Regardless, it remains a mystery as to which path the showrunners will choose and how they’ll portray the ominous presence of the alien threat amidst bustling human populations rather than isolated groups. However, one thing that has been confirmed is that Noah Hawley aims to distance himself from the backstory presented in Prometheus and instead stay true to the original movie series’ lore.

The Main Cast of ‘Alien: Earth’ Hints at Continued AI Theme

With the impending premiere of Alien: Earth, viewers are getting a glimpse into the characters and actors involved, shedding light on possible storylines. According to Deadline, Sydney Chandler (from Don’t Worry Darling) will take on the role of Wendy, a meta-human with the mind and consciousness of a child within an adult body. This recalls the novel Poor Things, but we’ll see how the creators put their unique spin on this character. Sharing the screen with her is Timothy Olyphant (known for his role in The Mandalorian), who portrays Kirsh, a synth serving as a protector or mentor for Wendy. It’s suggested that he may be shaping her young mind into one of the soldiers at the heart of the series, similar to Alex Lawther (Star Wars: Andor) who has been cast as trooper CJ.

In the upcoming series, since Kirsh is an android, it seems probable that they’ll delve deeper into this underdeveloped aspect of the Alien saga. For those who may need a refresher, synths are advanced artificial beings designed to resemble humans. A classic example is Ash from the 1979 film, whose mission was to safeguard the Xenomorphs, regardless of the danger to the crew. By featuring a key character as a synth in the new show, the creators can not only provide more insight into these beings, but also explore the topical theme of artificial intelligence.

In the end, the makers of “Alien: Earth” haven’t revealed much about the storyline, even during promotions. Therefore, eager fans will simply need to be patient and find out the details when the series is finally released towards the end of this year.

Alien: Earth will be available to stream on Hulu later this year.

Read More

2025-02-03 01:35