Summary
Alienis a beloved franchise that has seen a mix of results over the past couple of decades. From the critically acclaimed first entry starring Sigourney Weaver, to the recently releasedAlien: Romulus, theAlienfranchise has continued to thrive. Now, after ruling the big screen, the franchise is set totake to the small screen withAlien: Earth, helmed by writer and directorNoah Hawley.
The series is currently drawing skepticism from fans of the franchise because the Xenomorphs will be brought to Earth — a fair concern. However, Hawley already has an impressive resume of tackling well-established properties and making something special. WithAlien: Earth, Hawley looks set to bring his unique touch to a franchise that could benefit from a new approach.
Hawley’s Short, Yet Impressive Resume
Hawley got his start in Hollywood by writing the screenplay for 2006’sLies and Alibis.From there, he went on to join the writers' room for the hit seriesBones, where he also served as a producer. He would later go on to penThe UnusualsandMy Generation, before he would eventually get his big break with 2017’s Marvel series,Legion.
The X-Men series starred Dan Stevens as David Haller/Legion as a troubled young man who was diagnosed as schizophrenic, only to find he has special powers that would change his life forever. It was the second X-Men series on Fox, followingThe Gifted, and washailed as an intelligent and visually arresting pieceof television. It continued for three seasons, each one receiving a rating of at least 90%. Along with stunning visuals, the series' focus on bizarre world-building and mind-bending horror worked wonderfully with both the storytelling and acting from the show’s impressive cast.
Following his work onLegion, Hawley would go on to penLucy in the Sky, before returning to television with the critically-acclaimedFargo,based on the movie of the same name.Each season ofFargotook elements from the film and told a story that was both familiar, yet different.
Alien: Earthwill mark the third popular IP Hawley will tackle, and perhaps the hardest of the three. TheAlienfranchise has tried to recapture the magic of the original films withPrometheusandAlien: Covenant, but has struggled to do so. However,Alien: Romulushas injected somemuch-needed new energy into the franchise. Hopefully, this will continue withAlien: Earth.
Why Fans Should Be Excited about Alien: Earth
When it comes to Hawley, the well-regarded writer is known for taking a property and putting his own spin on it, all while honoring the source material. In taking on theX-Men, his series captured the essence of Legion as a character and the feel of a comic book property, while also finding a way to put a horrifying twist on it. The same can be said forFargo. Rather than attempt to imitate the original film, Hawley found a way to both honor the film and yet deliver something new with each new season.
If there’s one person who can do theAlienfranchise justice, Hawley seems like the perfect fit. He knows how to capture the essence of what is needed, while still finding a way to do something new with a big-name property.Alien: Romulusshows that theAlienfranchise needed new blood in it. When others are allowed to play within the franchise, and focus on delivering a good story rather than trying to replicate what came before, the results are positive. The film not only earned aFresh rating on Rotten Tomatoeswith an impressive 80%, but it also surprised at the box office,pulling in $315.7 million worldwide. It’s a fresh start for theAlienfranchise, and one that has left fans wanting more. WhileAlien: Earthmight be different from what they imagined, with the Xenomorphs headed to Earth, it’s something fresh and unique in a franchise that often does much of the same storytelling-wise.
Alien: Earthis a prequel to theAlienfranchise. The Hulu series takes place three decades before the first film, when a mysterious vessel crash lands on Earth. A young woman and her ragtag team of scientists explore the crash, only to find themselves face to face with the deadly Xenomorphs. The project wasfirst announced in 2022, and is one of many projects expected to come out based on theAlienfranchise. It’s a project that both Fox and Hawley took their time on, rather than trying to rush it. The studio seems keen on trying to protect both theAlienandPredatorfranchises, by bringing in talent that is capable of elevating the material while still honoring the legacy of what came before it. Bringing in someone like Hawley, who understands what fans want, but also knows how to make these properties all the more exciting is a smart move for a franchise that was thought to have stalled out creatively.
