This article covers all known deleted scenes from the 2017 film Alien: Covenant. Some sequences never progressed past the early script or storyboard stages, while others were filmed before being cut during the editing process. Despite their removal, several such scenes were included in the movie's novelization.
Several of the film's deleted scenes have been officially released on home video; in such instances, the release(s) on which they can be found have been noted in this article. Where applicable, the names of deleted scenes below have been taken from these DVD/Blu–ray releases.
Prologue (extended)[]
David describing Das Rheingold to Peter Weyland
The opening scene with Peter Weyland and the newly activated David was originally longer, with more dialogue between the two. Specifically, David describes the conclusion of the opera Das Rheingold as he plays Wagner's music on the piano. The added dialogue also appears in the film's novelization.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
A star is born[]
Early versions of the film's script begin with an extreme closeup view of the birth a new star, this being the event that unleashes the energy shockwave that then damages the Covenant.[1]
- "Cosmic dust floats, moving faster now, spiralling into an inner, spinning core. FLASHES like heat lightning, until the hydrogen in the center IGNITES, bursting into BRIGHT FLAME--
A SHOCKWAVE ripples out, CRASHING PAST US, OBLITERATING EVERYTHING--" - ―Script
Walter in the greenhouse[]
Walter tends to the plants.
Originally, Walter was also to be seen checking on the Covenant's hydroponics bay before the neutrino burst hits the ship. As he tends to the plants, he whistles a tune, leading Mother to question him about the myth that playing music to plant life encourages it to grow. The scene ends with Mother informing him of the incoming neutrino burst, information he receives whilst checking on the sleeping colonists in the finished film. This scene is found in the novel.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Bitch[]
In the script, Walter continues to debate the merits of whistling to plants with Mother as he moves around the ship. When Mother flatly reminds him there is no purpose in life for machines such as themselves except efficiency, Walter calls her, "Bitch."[1] This was probably intended as a reference to Ripley calling MU/TH/UR a bitch in Alien after she refuses to deactivate the Nostromo's self destruct.
Showers[]
Included in the script is a scene where several of the crew shower following their unscheduled awakening from stasis. Meanwhile, other crew members get dressed in an adjacent locker room.[1]
Oram and Daniels (extended)[]
Oram tells Daniels to "cry it out".
After the crew meets on the bridge to assess the damage to the Covenant, Oram takes Daniels to one side and tells her how much he respected Branson, before telling her to take some time off to "cry it out", to which she responds with open anger. While this sequence is labelled "extended" on the film's Blu-ray release, no version of this meeting between Oram and Daniels actually appears in the theatrical cut. The scene is also found in the novelization.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Walter visits Daniels[]
Walter helps Daniels deal with her grief.
Another deleted scene that would have followed on from the above addition shows Daniels in her quarters, having been refused permission to work by Oram. Walter visits her and offers her some cannabis, which he has grown in hydroponics, telling her it will help her relax. Before leaving, he suggests getting back to work might help take her mind off of her grief. This scene appears in the novel.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Jacob's funeral (extended)[]
Walter offers to say a few words.
Before Branson's funeral, Oram sits alone on the bridge, fiddling with a set of worry beads as he looks at a photo of an old man (presumably his father). Elsewhere on the ship, Daniels and Walter prepare to jettison Branson's body from an airlock. Walter asks why she asked him to join her, and Daniels points out that she is now alone on a ship full of couples, something she shares with Walter. They are then joined by Tee and Faris, the former presenting a bottle of Branson's favourite whiskey. The scene then continues as in the theatrical release. This extended scene appears in the novelization.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Paradise[]
In early drafts of the script, Shaw's transmission is not merely an errant recording of her singing but an actual message she is broadcasting out into space. In it, she implores anyone who hears it to follow her to the planet she has found, which she dubs "Paradise".[1]
Record player[]
While mourning Branson alone in her cabin, Daniels was to listen to music on his record player.[2] Shots of the record playing appeared in the film's trailers.
Daniels' bedroom flashback[]
Daniels and Branson at home.
The film originally featured an additional Earth-set flashback after the Covenant has changed course to investigate Planet 4. Sitting alone in her room once more, Daniels remembers being with Branson in their New York apartment. As snow falls outside the window, Branson discusses changes he has made to the layout of their planned log cabin, mentioned several times in the finished film. While this scene appears in the novelization, it is moved to the beginning, in the form of a dream Daniels has whilst in hypersleep.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Power failure part I[]
In an early draft of the film's script, Lander One was to suffer a brief power outage during its descent, momentarily threatening the safety of the craft and all on board. However, the situation corrects itself before any harm can come to the crew and the shuttle lands safely.[2] This scene was intended to tie into a later sub-plot aboard the Covenant that was likewise removed from the film.
Sampling the air[]
Footage was shot of Walter leaving Lander One alone ahead of the rest of the crew and checking Planet 4's air for any potentially harmful contaminants with a handheld device.[2] Only when he determines it to be safe does he call the rest of the team out.
Life[]
In the film, Planet 4 is conspicuously devoid of any kind of fauna, yet in early versions of the script it still harbors insect and amphibian life, and even small mammals. At one point, Hallett is frightened by a salamander-like creature than crawls across his boot; Karine captures the organism and puts it in a specimen jar.[1]
Infection vector[]
Originally, hosts were not infected with Bloodbursters via motes ejected from an egg sack, but rather when they are bitten by microscopic insects.[1] This would have linked into the insect samples later seen in David's lab.
Eggs[]
Early script drafts had the team discovering smashed Steatite Ampules within the Juggernaut, around which have grown "prototype Alien Eggs" covered in mould. Hallett goes to touch one, but is called back at the last moment by Lopé.[1] The team moves on, but when Hallett senses movement from the Egg he returns to look, leaning over it. The top of the Egg begins to move, leading the viewer to suspect a Facehugger will burst forth, but instead part of the mould covering the Egg lances out and pricks him in the face, infecting him with a Bloodburster.[1]
Ankor's discovery[]
Another brief scene found in the script would have shown Ankor discovering several rotting Engineer bodies through a rupture in the Juggernaut's hull while he is standing guard outside the vessel. As the mist around him begins to clear he sees more corpses scattered down the mountainside below, with broken Steatite Ampules lying among them.[1] He calls in the discovery, and the rest of the team joins him outside to see for themselves. The mist continues to clear, eventually revealing the rotted remains of thousands Engineers littering the mountainside. Disturbed by the sight, Daniels suggests they evacuate the planet immediately, and Oram agrees.[1]
Ledward's fall[]
Karine tries to get Ledward on his feet.
A brief addition while Karine is leading Ledward back to Lander One shows Karine helping the stricken man back to his feet after he stumbles.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Power failure part II[]
Following on from the earlier scene where Lander One loses power during its descent, there was originally a more substantial sub-plot set aboard the Covenant that would have explained why the crew is unable to rescue their comrades from Planet 4. This would have begun with Tee moving the Covenant into a lower orbit when things begin to go wrong on the surface, so as to improve the transmission quality with Lander One. However, as soon as he does so the Covenant suffers a total power failure, with all lights and comms going offline.[1] Tee, Ricks and Upworth wait for backup power to kick in but it fails to do so, before artificial gravity also fails, leaving them floating helplessly inside the ship.[1]
This entire sub-plot was essentially removed from the film and the severe ion storms developed as a more straightforward reason why the crew cannot get to the surface to save their shipmates.
Come with me…if you want to stay alive[]
When David saves the Covenant crew from the surviving Neomorph in the wheat field, instead of simply telling them, "Come with me," he originally added, "…f you want to stay alive."[2]
Power failure part III[]
After David saves the survivors on the ground from the Neomorphs, the next installment of the deleted power failure sub-plot would have occurred. On the Covenant, the stasis systems are also failing, jeopardizing the lives of every colonist and embryo on board if the crew cannot restore power soon.[1] Meanwhile, Tee is attempting to jury-rig the cargo lift's radio to make contact with the team on the surface. He is interrupted by Ricks, who has learned that the power outage is a result of them drifting into an energy field around the planet when they lowered their orbit, and he has come up with a plan to get the Covenant back online — he suggests they extend one of the vessel's solar recharge sails and link it directly to the engines, hopefully generating enough power to get them online and return to a higher orbit.[1]
Here are the facts[]
In the film, David says almost nothing to the Covenant crew until they reach the citadel, but in early iterations of the script much of the expository dialogue he delivers once they arrive is instead given while the group is making their way there. Additionally, in the script he tells the survivors of the energy field surrounding the planet and warns them that had they tried to leave in Lander One, they never would've made it through. He and Walter also talk about Weyland Corp, with Walter pointing out it is now known as Weyland-Yutani.[1]
Crossing the plaza (extended)[]
The hangar and the ship within.
The scene where the survivors cross the open plaza in the ruined Engineer city was originally longer, showing what is within the vast opening in the ground that they pass. Pausing next to the chasm, Lopé lights a flare and tosses it into the hole, revealed a hangar below similar to the one seen in Prometheus, filled with vessels.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Daniels thanks Walter[]
Daniels thanks Walter for saving her life.
Inside the citadel, Walter tells Daniels that David was an advanced prototype created by Weyland and was presumed lost on the Prometheus expedition, after which Daniels thanks him for saving her from the Neomorph. As they talk, she lights some fires for warmth. The scene continues with Daniels pointing out that David's presence on this desolate planet does not make sense, and Walter promises to discuss it with his counterpart. The latter dialogue is featured in the finished version of the film but occurs earlier, just after they arrive in the temple, immediately after David has left to show Lopé and Cole to the roof.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Power failure part IV[]
In order to carry out Ricks' plan to power up the Covenant, Tee is forced to manually open the vessel's solar sail, going outside in an EVA suit and hauling it out by hand. Meanwhile, Ricks and Upworth work in the engine room to connect the sail's output directly to the core.[1]
Energy field[]
Another scene tied to the removed power failure sub-plot had David explaining to Daniels and Oram that the disruptive energy field surrounding the planet is generated by a pair of satellites that orbit above the planet's poles, and that taking one of them out will deactivate the field. Daniels responds that, as a colony ship, they have no weapons to do this, but subsequently suggests they could use some of the terraforming equipment on board to destroy the satellite.[1]
Flashback: The Crossing[]
Unlike the other short films produced to promote Alien: Covenant, The Crossing was initially intended to be a part of the movie itself in the form of an extended flashback sequence recounting David's arrival on Planet 4 and his genocide of the Engineers.[2] Additionally, at least one early cut of the film featured an even longer version of the flashback, beginning with David's severed head floating in space outside the Juggernaut — a furious Shaw has jettisoned him from an airlock, threatening to abandon him. However, he is able to convince her to bring him back aboard and repair him, as seen in the released short film.[2]
Cole's wife[]
A brief dialogue scene in the script had Daniels talk with Cole about his wife and unborn child, both of whom are in stasis aboard the Covenant.[2]
Rosenthal prayer[]
Rosie utters a prayer.
While she washes, Rosie originally said a short prayer in Hebrew. As she does, the Neomorph is seen sneaking up on her through a dark passageway.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Rosie's death[]
In early cuts of the film, Rosie's death was slightly longer, with the Neomorph seen slowly rising behind her before she notices it. The creature also paused longer before killing her, during which time Rosie was to swear at the creature and try to reach for her sidearm.[2]
Walter reports back[]
Walter shares his thoughts on David.
Another dialogue scene cut while the survivors hole up inside the citadel has Walter returning to Daniels and Oram to report on his discussions with David. He says that he is concerned by David's mental state and the fact he has obviously not been receiving proper maintenance whilst alone on Planet 4. Oram asks if he thinks David could be dangerous, but Walter merely labels the situation "disturbing". The group then notice Rosie is missing as in the theatrical version. This scene is included in the novelization.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
Stairs to egg room (Extended)[]
David offers up the balm.
On the way down to David's Egg chamber, Oram originally balked at the smell. David subsequently hands him a balm to rub under his nose and mask the stench. This additional dialogue is found in the novel.
Availability:
- Alien: Covenant DVD
- Alien: Covenant Blu-ray
David looks into the egg[]
Footage was filmed of David leaning over the Egg that subsequently impregnates Oram to try and convince the captain it is harmless.[2] This sequence appears in the novel.
Walter vs. David[]
In an early workprint of the film, the conclusion of Walter's fight with David was edited differently. Most obviously, David was not seen reaching for a knife before the scene cuts away. Following this, the shot of "Walter" looking back into the citadel as he leaves was also missing.[2]
Praetomorph vs. Neomorph[]
The film was originally supposed to feature a confrontation between the Praetomorph and a Neomorph. The scene would have taken place when Daniels and Lopé are fleeing from the Engineer temple towards the cargo lift, whereupon they are attacked by a surviving Neomorph. The Praetomorph born from Oram then appears from the temple, attacks the Neomorph and quickly disembowels it as Daniels and Lopé run towards the cargo lift. A previsualization of the scene was made,[3], but it was cut from the final film. Despite the scene's removal, it was included in the novelization.
Ricks and Upworth's deaths[]
The Praetomorph draws Upworth towards it with its tail.
The scene where Ricks and Upworth are killed in the shower was originally longer; after headbiting Ricks, the Praetomorph was to use its tail to draw the terrified Upworth closer to it, before leaping onto her and driving them both through the glass behind her.[4] The scene was also trimmed slightly for violence, with the shot of the Praetomorph withdrawing its inner jaw from the back of Ricks' skull being shortened.[2]
Acrobatic Alien[]
The Praetomorph displays its agility.
The film's trailer featured a sequence showing a Praetomorph leaping down a red-lit corridor on the Covenant, but this footage does not appear in the finished film.
Walter's identity[]
In early cuts of the film, Daniels did not realise "Walter" was actually David before going to sleep aboard the Covenant.[2] This is how the conclusion plays out in the novelization.
References[]
- ↑ 1.00 1.01 1.02 1.03 1.04 1.05 1.06 1.07 1.08 1.09 1.10 1.11 1.12 1.13 1.14 1.15 1.16 Paradise Lost script (August 19, 2015 draft) by John Logan
- ↑ 2.00 2.01 2.02 2.03 2.04 2.05 2.06 2.07 2.08 2.09 2.10 2.11 "AVPGalaxy - Alien Covenant Deleted Scenes". Retrieved on 2019-09-10.
- ↑ AVPGalaxy Dane Hallett and Matt Hatton interview
- ↑ "YouTube - Alien: Covenant - Extended Shower Scene". Retrieved on 2022-04-25.