Xenopedia
Don't have an account?
Register
Register
Xenopedia
Xenopedia
7,993
pages
in: Franchises

Changes: Alien (franchise)

Back to page
Sign in to edit
Tag: Source edit
(31 intermediate revisions by 4 users not shown)
Line 1: Line 1:
 
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Alien'' (franchise)}}
  
{{DISPLAYTITLE:''Alien'' (franchise)}}
 
[[File:AlienFranchiseHeader.jpg|center]]
  
[[File:AlienFranchiseHeader.jpg|center]]
−
The '''''Alien'' franchise''' is a science fiction horror franchise, consisting primarily of a series of films focusing on Lieutenant [[Ellen Ripley]] (played by [[Sigourney Weaver]]) and her battle with the extraterrestrial species [[Xenomorph XX121 (Alien)|Xenomorph XX121]], commonly referred to simply as "the Alien". Produced by [[20th Century Fox]], the franchise started with the [[1979]] feature film {{A1}}, and continued with three sequels, {{A2}} ([[1986]]), {{A3}} ([[1992]]) and {{A4}} ([[1997]]). A [[Alien 5|fifth film]] is currently in development. The series has also inspired numerous books, comics and video game spinoffs.
 +
The '''''Alien'' franchise''' is a science fiction horror franchise, consisting primarily of a series of films focusing on the species [[Xenomorph XX121 (Alien)|Xenomorph XX121]], commonly referred to simply as "the Alien", a voracious endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species. Unlike the [[Predator (franchise)|''Predator'' franchise]], which mostly consists of stand-alone movies, the ''Alien'' films generally form continuing story arcs, the principal of which follows Lieutenant [[Ellen Ripley]] as she battles the Aliens in a future time setting. Newer films preceding Ripley's exploits center around the [[Synthetic|android]] [[David (USCSS Prometheus)|David]], exploring the possible origins of the Aliens and their connection to an ancient, advanced civilization known as the [[Engineer]]s. Produced by [[20th Century Studios]], the franchise began with the [[1979]] feature film {{A1}}, and continued with three sequels, {{A2}} ([[1986]]), {{A3}} ([[1992]]) and {{A4}} ([[1997]]); a potential [[Alien 5|fifth film]] has been in development hell since the release of ''Alien Resurrection''. A series of prequel movies has also been produced, including {{Pro1}} ([[2012]]) and {{Pro2}} ([[2017]]). As well as the feature films, the franchise also includes numerous "expanded universe" comic books, novels and video games.
   
−
In addition to the ''Alien'' franchise is the [[Alien vs. Predator (franchise)|''Alien vs. Predator'' franchise]], including the feature films {{AVP1}} ([[2004]]) and {{AVP2}} ([[2007]]), which pits the titular Aliens against the [[Yautja (Predator)|Predator]] creatures from the [[Predator (franchise)|''Predator'' franchise]].
 +
Related to the ''Alien'' franchise is the [[Alien vs. Predator (franchise)|''Alien vs. Predator'' franchise]], including the feature films {{AVP1}} ([[2004]]) and {{AVP2}} ([[2007]]), which pits the titular Aliens against the [[Yautja (Predator)|Predator]] creatures from the ''Predator'' franchise.
   
 
==Films==
  
==Films==
−
===''Alien'' (1979)===
 +
===Original series===
  +
====''Alien'' (1979)====
 
{{main|Alien (film)}}
  
{{main|Alien (film)}}
 
The commercial freighter ''[[USCSS Nostromo|Nostromo]]'' investigates a [[Acheron (LV-426)|desolate planetoid]] after receiving an apparent distress signal from a [[Derelict (LV-426)|derelict alien spacecraft]]. Whilst exploring the ship, one of the ''Nostromo<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s [[Thomas Kane|crew]] discovers an [[Ovomorph (Egg)|egg-like object]] which releases a [[Facehugger|creature]] that attaches itself to his face and renders him unconscious. After he is returned to the ship for medical attention, the parasite dies and the crewman wakes up, seemingly fine. However, an [[Chestburster|alien creature]] later bursts out of the man's chest and, after rapidly growing into an eight-foot tall [[The Alien (Xenomorph)|creature]], begins killing the rest of the crew.
  
The commercial freighter ''[[USCSS Nostromo|Nostromo]]'' investigates a [[Acheron (LV-426)|desolate planetoid]] after receiving an apparent distress signal from a [[Derelict (LV-426)|derelict alien spacecraft]]. Whilst exploring the ship, one of the ''Nostromo<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s [[Thomas Kane|crew]] discovers an [[Ovomorph (Egg)|egg-like object]] which releases a [[Facehugger|creature]] that attaches itself to his face and renders him unconscious. After he is returned to the ship for medical attention, the parasite dies and the crewman wakes up, seemingly fine. However, an [[Chestburster|alien creature]] later bursts out of the man's chest and, after rapidly growing into an eight-foot tall [[The Alien (Xenomorph)|creature]], begins killing the rest of the crew.
   
−
===''Aliens'' (1986)===
 +
====''Aliens'' (1986)====
 
{{main|Aliens (film)}}
  
{{main|Aliens (film)}}
 
Lieutenant [[Ellen Ripley]], the sole survivor of the ''Nostromo'' incident, awakens 57 years later from [[Stasis|hypersleep]] to discover that the planetoid where they discovered the Alien, now known as LV-426, is now home to a [[Hadley's Hope|terraforming colony]]. However, contact with the colony has been lost, and in response a squad of [[United States Colonial Marine Corps|Colonial Marines]] are sent to investigate aboard the {{USS|Sulaco}}, accompanied by Ripley. Once back on LV-426, they soon discover that the colonists had discovered the derelict ship and that the Aliens now infest the entire colony.
  
Lieutenant [[Ellen Ripley]], the sole survivor of the ''Nostromo'' incident, awakens 57 years later from [[Stasis|hypersleep]] to discover that the planetoid where they discovered the Alien, now known as LV-426, is now home to a [[Hadley's Hope|terraforming colony]]. However, contact with the colony has been lost, and in response a squad of [[United States Colonial Marine Corps|Colonial Marines]] are sent to investigate aboard the {{USS|Sulaco}}, accompanied by Ripley. Once back on LV-426, they soon discover that the colonists had discovered the derelict ship and that the Aliens now infest the entire colony.
   
−
===''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' (1992)===
 +
====''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' (1992)====
 
{{main|Alien 3}}
  
{{main|Alien 3}}
 
A fire aboard the ''Sulaco'' as it returns to Earth causes the surviving crew to be ejected in an [[Type 337 EEV|escape pod]], which then crash-lands close to a [[Fiorina 161 Class C Work Correctional Unit|prison colony]] on [[Fiorina "Fury" 161]], killing everyone on board except Ripley. Unbeknownst to her, a [[Royal Facehugger|Facehugger]] has accompanied her, and quickly spawns a new [[The Dragon|Alien]] in the prison. The creature soon begins a killing spree, while Ripley discovers there is also an Alien [[Queen (caste)|Queen]] growing inside her. 
  
A fire aboard the ''Sulaco'' as it returns to Earth causes the surviving crew to be ejected in an [[Type 337 EEV|escape pod]], which then crash-lands close to a [[Fiorina 161 Class C Work Correctional Unit|prison colony]] on [[Fiorina "Fury" 161]], killing everyone on board except Ripley. Unbeknownst to her, a [[Royal Facehugger|Facehugger]] has accompanied her, and quickly spawns a new [[The Dragon|Alien]] in the prison. The creature soon begins a killing spree, while Ripley discovers there is also an Alien [[Queen (caste)|Queen]] growing inside her. 
   
−
===''Alien Resurrection'' (1997)===
 +
====''Alien Resurrection'' (1997)====
 
{{main|Alien Resurrection}}
  
{{main|Alien Resurrection}}
 
200 years after the events on Fiorina 161, Ellen Ripley is [[Ripley 8|cloned]] and the Alien [[Cloned Queen|Queen]] inside her is surgically removed from her body. The [[United Systems Military]] hopes to breed [[Cloned Xenomorph|Aliens]] to study and research on the {{USM|Auriga}}, using [[human]] hosts kidnapped and delivered to them by a group of mercenaries. The Aliens soon escape their enclosures, and Ripley 8 and the mercenaries resolve to escape and destroy the ''Auriga'' before it reaches its destination — [[Earth]].
  
200 years after the events on Fiorina 161, Ellen Ripley is [[Ripley 8|cloned]] and the Alien [[Cloned Queen|Queen]] inside her is surgically removed from her body. The [[United Systems Military]] hopes to breed [[Cloned Xenomorph|Aliens]] to study and research on the {{USM|Auriga}}, using [[human]] hosts kidnapped and delivered to them by a group of mercenaries. The Aliens soon escape their enclosures, and Ripley 8 and the mercenaries resolve to escape and destroy the ''Auriga'' before it reaches its destination — [[Earth]].
   
  +
===Prequel series===
⚫
==Novels==
  
  +
====''Prometheus'' (2012)====
−
As well as novelizations based on the four ''Alien'' films, there are numerous expanded universe novels set in or based on the ''Alien'' series. The first nine of these (up to and including ''[[Aliens: Berserker (novel)|Aliens: Berserker]]'') are all adaptations of [[Aliens (comics line)|''Aliens'' comic books]] from [[Dark Horse Comics]]; subsequent novels have been original stories.
  
  +
{{Main|Prometheus (film)}}
  +
Several decades before the events of the original ''Alien'', archaeologists on Earth discover star maps apparently left by a race of [[Engineer|extraterrestrials]] involved in shaping humanity's ancient past. Securing financial backing from ageing industrialist Sir [[Peter Weyland]], an expedition is launched to investigate the distant system indicated by the messages, where the explorers hope to make contact with the aliens. However, what they find threatens not only their own safety but the future of the entire human race.
   
−
===Film novelizations===
 +
====''Alien: Covenant'' (2017)====
  +
{{Main|Alien: Covenant}}
⚫
*''[[Alien (novel)|Alien]]'' by [[Alan Dean Foster]]
  
  +
When the colony transport ship ''[[USCSS Covenant|Covenant]]'' detects a transmission seemingly of human origin being broadcast from an [[Planet 4|uncharted but verdant world]], the crew elect to divert their course and investigate. Upon landing, they encounter [[Neomorph|deadly alien life]] as well as the [[Synthetic|android]] [[David (USCSS Prometheus)|David]], the last survivor of the ''[[USCSS Prometheus|Prometheus]]'' expedition, who may be responsible for the very creatures that stalk the ''Covenant'' crew.
⚫
*''[[Aliens (novel)|Aliens]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  
⚫
*''[[Alien 3 (novel)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  
⚫
*''[[Alien Resurrection (novel)|Alien Resurrection]]'' by [[A. C. Crispin]]
  
   
−
===Original stories===
 +
===Future===
  +
Attempts at producing a sequel to ''Alien Resurrection'' have been trapped in development hell since the release of the film in the late 90s. Such a project almost entered production under director [[Neill Blomkamp]] in [[2016]]/2017, although the film was subsequently cancelled, with [[Ridley Scott]], director of ''Alien'', ''Prometheus'' and ''Alien: Covenant'', stating that Fox "didn't want to do it".<ref name="Guardian5">{{cite web|title=The Guardian - Ridley Scott: Neill Blomkamp’s Alien 5 is never going to happen|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/02/ridley-scott-alien-5-covenant-neill-blomkamp|accessdate=2017-05-30}}</ref>
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Earth Hive]]'' by [[Steve Perry]]
  
  +
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Nightmare Asylum (novel)|Aliens: Nightmare Asylum]]'' by Steve Perry
  
  +
Subsequent to the release of ''Alien: Covenant'', Scott has also been working on further prequel films. On March 3, 2017, it was reported that the next prequel film had already been written and would be ready to film in [[2018]], dependant on the success of ''Alien: Covenant''.<ref name="HeraldCrawford">{{cite web|title=The Sydney Herald - Ridley Scott promises a return to Alien-style horror in Alien: Covenant|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/ridley-scott-promises-a-return-to-alienstyle-horror-in-alien-covenant-20170222-guj8wk.html|accessdate=2017-03-05}}</ref> Later the same month, in an interview with Fandango, Scott appeared to accidentally reveal that the title of the next film would be ''Alien: Awakening'' and also seemed to suggest that it would be a prequel set between ''Prometheus'' and ''Covenant''.<ref name="Fandango Awakening">{{cite web|title=Fandango - HOW NOOMI RAPACE WILL RETURN FOR 'ALIEN: COVENANT,' PLUS: AT LEAST FOUR MORE 'ALIEN' MOVIES IN THE WORKS|url=https://www.fandango.com/movie-news/how-noomi-rapace-will-return-for-alien-covenant-plus-at-least-four-more-alien-movies-in-the-works-752049|accessdate=2017-03-20}}</ref> The director went on to state that there would be at least three further prequel films, assuming the two movies were successful.<ref name="Fandango Awakening" /> Regarding their content, Scott has suggested that in these subsequent films he intends to replace the Xenomorphs with AI-based antagonists, claiming that the sequels to the original ''Alien'' had reduced the creature's ability to scare audiences.<ref name="WatersonSequel">{{cite web|title=Alien: Covenant Star Hasn’t Heard About a Sequel ‘In Ages’|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-katherine-waterston/|accessdate=2018-04-25}}</ref> Thus the sequels will explore what a world created by AIs (without human interferance) would look like,<ref>{{cite web|title=Ridley Scott Teases Alien: Covenant Sequel Storyline|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-fassbender-david-details/|accessdate=2018-04-25}}</ref> although the Engineers are also said to be returning in a larger role.<ref name="YouTube Engineers">{{cite web|title=YouTube - Bravo! Sir Ridley Scott hints at sequels to Alien Covenant!|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yWxDGO_9ZPg|accessdate=2017-06-24}}</ref>
⚫
*''[[Aliens: The Female War (novel)|Aliens: The Female War]]'' by Steve Perry and [[S. D. Perry|Stephani Perry]]
  
  +
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Genocide (novel)|Aliens: Genocide]]'' by [[David Bischoff]]
  
  +
In April 2018, [[Katherine Waterston]], who played heroine [[Katherine "Danny" Daniels|Daniels]] in ''Alien: Covenant'', stated that she hadn't "heard anything in ages" regarding a sequel, but did reveal that she had heard rumors "a long time ago" as to where her character may go next. Following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, it was confirmed at the 2019 CinemaCon that future ''Alien'' films were still in development,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-avengers-endgame-scene-shows-captain-marvel-joining-team-1199385|title=New 'Avengers: Endgame' Footage Hits CinemaCon|accessdate=2019-04-28}}</ref><ref name="CBR-20190526">{{cite news |last=Webber |first=Tim |title=REPORT: Ridley Scott Developing A New Alien Prequel |url=https://www.cbr.com/ridley-scott-third-alien-prequel/ |accessdate=2019-05-27}}</ref> including Scott's third prequel, which is currently being written.<ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |title=Alien: Covenant Sequel Reportedly Being Written, Ridley Scott to Direct |url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-writer-director-ridley-scott/ |accessdate=2019-05-27}}</ref>
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Alien Harvest]]'' by [[Robert Sheckley]]
  
  +
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Rogue (novel)|Aliens: Rogue]]'' by [[Sandy Schofield]]
  
  +
==Web Series==
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Labyrinth (novel)|Aliens: Labyrinth]]'' by [[S. D. Perry]]
  
  +
===''Alien: Isolation - The Digital Series'' (2019)===
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Music of the Spears (novel)|Aliens: Music of the Spears]]'' by [[Yvonne Navarro]]
  
  +
{{main|Alien: Isolation - The Digital Series}}
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Berserker (novel)|Aliens: Berserker]]'' by S. D. Perry
  
  +
15 years after her mother Ellen disappeared along with the ''Nostromo'', [[Amanda Ripley-McClaren|Amanda Ripley]] searches for clues that might reveal her mother's fate. Her search leads her to [[Sevastopol Station]], where she finds herself trapped with terrified survivors and stalked by an [[Drone (Sevastopol)|Alien]] that has turned the station into a nightmare. An adaptation of the video game {{AI}}.
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Original Sin]]'' by [[Michael Jan Friedman]]
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: DNA War]]'' by [[Diane Carey]]
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Cauldron]]'' by Diane Carey
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Steel Egg]]'' by [[John Shirley]]
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Criminal Enterprise]]'' by S. D. Perry
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: No Exit]]'' by [[B. K. Evenson]]
  
⚫
*''[[Alien: Out of the Shadows]]'' by [[Tim Lebbon]]
  
⚫
*''[[Alien: Sea of Sorrows]]'' by [[James A. Moore]]
  
⚫
*''[[Alien: River of Pain]]'' by [[Christopher Golden]]
  
⚫
*''[[Alien: Invasion]]'' by Tim Lebbon
  
⚫
*''[[Aliens: Bug Hunt]]''
  
   
 
==Comic Books==
  
==Comic Books==
 
===Dark Horse Comics===
  
===Dark Horse Comics===
 
{{Main|Aliens (comics line)}}
  
{{Main|Aliens (comics line)}}
−
The vast majority of the comic books based on the ''Alien'' franchise have been published by [[Dark Horse Comics]]. These include adaptations of three of the four ''Alien'' films, as well as a large number of original stories set in the ''Alien'' universe.
 +
The vast majority of the comic books based on the ''Alien'' franchise have been published by [[Dark Horse Comics]]. These include adaptations of three of the four ''Alien'' films and several unproduced scripts, as well as a large number of original stories set in the ''Alien'' universe.
   
 
====Film adaptations====
  
====Film adaptations====
Line 62: Line 53:
 
*''[[Alien 3 (comic)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]''
  
*''[[Alien 3 (comic)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]''
 
*''[[Alien Resurrection (comic)|Alien Resurrection]]''
  
*''[[Alien Resurrection (comic)|Alien Resurrection]]''
−
*''[[William Gibson's Alien 3]]''
 +
*''[[Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay]]''
  +
*''[[Alien: The Original Screenplay]]''
   
 
====Original stories====
  
====Original stories====
  +
 
<div style="float:left; width:50%;">
  
<div style="float:left; width:50%;">
 
*''[[Aliens: Outbreak]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Outbreak]]''
Line 92: Line 85:
 
*''[[Aliens: Alien]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Alien]]''
 
*''[[Aliens: Music of the Spears]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Music of the Spears]]''
−
*''[[Operation: Aliens (comic)|Operation: Aliens]]''
 +
*''[[Operation: Aliens]]''
 
*''[[Aliens: Stronghold]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Stronghold]]''
 
*''[[Aliens: Mondo Pest]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Mondo Pest]]''
Line 132: Line 125:
 
*''[[Aliens: Dust to Dust]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Dust to Dust]]''
 
*''[[Aliens: Resistance]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Resistance]]''
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Rescue]]''
 
</div>
  
</div>
 
<br clear="all" />
  
<br clear="all" />
Line 144: Line 138:
 
*''[[Do Aliens Dream?]]''
  
*''[[Do Aliens Dream?]]''
 
*''[[Illegal Aliens]]''
  
*''[[Illegal Aliens]]''
  +
  ⚫
==Novels==
  +
''Alien'' franchise novels have included both novelizations (of films, comic books and video games) and original stories.
  +
  +
===Novelizations===
  +
====Film novelizations====
  ⚫
*''[[Alien (novel)|Alien]]'' by [[Alan Dean Foster]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens (novel)|Aliens]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  ⚫
*''[[Alien 3 (novel)|Alien<sup>3</sup>]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  ⚫
*''[[Alien Resurrection (novel)|Alien Resurrection]]'' by [[A. C. Crispin]] and [[Kathleen O'Malley]]
  +
*''[[Alien Resurrection: The Official Junior Novelization]]'' by [[Terry Bisson]]
  +
*''[[Prometheus (novel)|Prometheus]]'' by Joe Spies and Damon Lindelof
  +
*''[[Alien: Covenant (novel)|Alien: Covenant]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  +
*''[[Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay (novel)|Alien 3: The Unproduced Screenplay]]'' by William Gibson and Pat Cadigan.
  +
  +
====Comic novelizations====
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Earth Hive]]'' by [[Steve Perry]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Nightmare Asylum (novel)|Aliens: Nightmare Asylum]]'' by Steve Perry
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: The Female War (novel)|Aliens: The Female War]]'' by Steve Perry and [[S. D. Perry|Stephani Perry]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Genocide (novel)|Aliens: Genocide]]'' by [[David Bischoff]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Alien Harvest]]'' by [[Robert Sheckley]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Rogue (novel)|Aliens: Rogue]]'' by [[Sandy Schofield]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Labyrinth (novel)|Aliens: Labyrinth]]'' by [[S. D. Perry]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Music of the Spears (novel)|Aliens: Music of the Spears]]'' by [[Yvonne Navarro]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Berserker (novel)|Aliens: Berserker]]'' by S. D. Perry
  +
  +
====Video game novelizations====
  +
*''[[Alien: Isolation (novel)|Alien: Isolation]]'' by [[Keith R. A. DeCandido]]
  +
  +
===Original stories===
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Original Sin]]'' by [[Michael Jan Friedman]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: DNA War]]'' by [[Diane Carey]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Cauldron]]'' by Diane Carey
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Steel Egg]]'' by [[John Shirley]]
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: Criminal Enterprise]]'' by S. D. Perry
  ⚫
*''[[Aliens: No Exit]]'' by [[B. K. Evenson]]
  ⚫
*''[[Alien: Out of the Shadows]]'' by [[Tim Lebbon]]
  ⚫
*''[[Alien: Sea of Sorrows]]'' by [[James A. Moore]]
  ⚫
*''[[Alien: River of Pain]]'' by [[Christopher Golden]]
  ⚫
*''[[Alien: Invasion]]'' by Tim Lebbon
  +
*''[[Aliens: Bug Hunt]]'' (anthology)
  +
*''[[Alien: Covenant - Origins]]'' by Alan Dean Foster
  +
*''[[Alien: The Cold Forge]]'' by [[Alex White]]
  +
*''[[Alien: Echo]]'' by [[Seanan McGuire|Mira Grant]]
  +
*''[[Alien: Prototype]]'' by [[Tim Waggoner]]
  +
*''[[Aliens: Phalanx]]'' by [[Scott Sigler]]
  +
*''[[Alien: Into Charybdis]]'' by Alex White
  +
*''[[Aliens: Infiltrator]]'' by [[Weston Ochse]]
   
 
==Video Games==
  
==Video Games==
Line 169: Line 211:
 
*''[[Aliens: Armageddon]]''
  
*''[[Aliens: Armageddon]]''
 
*{{AI}}
  
*{{AI}}
  +
*''[[Alien: Blackout]]''
  +
*''[[Aliens: Fireteam]]''
   
 
==Gallery==
  
==Gallery==
Line 176: Line 220:
 
Alien 3 Poster.png|Theatrical poster for ''Alien<sup>3</sup>''.
  
Alien 3 Poster.png|Theatrical poster for ''Alien<sup>3</sup>''.
 
Alien Resurrection Poster.png|Theatrical poster for ''Alien Resurrection''.
  
Alien Resurrection Poster.png|Theatrical poster for ''Alien Resurrection''.
  +
Prometheus Poster.png|Theatrical poster for ''Prometheus''.
 
Covenant Pray.jpg|Theatrical poster for ''Alien: Covenant''.
  
Covenant Pray.jpg|Theatrical poster for ''Alien: Covenant''.
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>

Revision as of 12:30, 12 March 2021

AlienFranchiseHeader

The Alien franchise is a science fiction horror franchise, consisting primarily of a series of films focusing on the species Xenomorph XX121, commonly referred to simply as "the Alien", a voracious endoparasitoid extraterrestrial species. Unlike the Predator franchise, which mostly consists of stand-alone movies, the Alien films generally form continuing story arcs, the principal of which follows Lieutenant Ellen Ripley as she battles the Aliens in a future time setting. Newer films preceding Ripley's exploits center around the android David, exploring the possible origins of the Aliens and their connection to an ancient, advanced civilization known as the Engineers. Produced by 20th Century Studios, the franchise began with the 1979 feature film Alien, and continued with three sequels, Aliens (1986), Alien3 (1992) and Alien Resurrection (1997); a potential fifth film has been in development hell since the release of Alien Resurrection. A series of prequel movies has also been produced, including Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017). As well as the feature films, the franchise also includes numerous "expanded universe" comic books, novels and video games.

Related to the Alien franchise is the Alien vs. Predator franchise, including the feature films Alien vs. Predator (2004) and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), which pits the titular Aliens against the Predator creatures from the Predator franchise.

Films

Original series

Alien (1979)

Main article: Alien (film)

The commercial freighter Nostromo investigates a desolate planetoid after receiving an apparent distress signal from a derelict alien spacecraft. Whilst exploring the ship, one of the Nostromo's crew discovers an egg-like object which releases a creature that attaches itself to his face and renders him unconscious. After he is returned to the ship for medical attention, the parasite dies and the crewman wakes up, seemingly fine. However, an alien creature later bursts out of the man's chest and, after rapidly growing into an eight-foot tall creature, begins killing the rest of the crew.

Aliens (1986)

Main article: Aliens (film)

Lieutenant Ellen Ripley, the sole survivor of the Nostromo incident, awakens 57 years later from hypersleep to discover that the planetoid where they discovered the Alien, now known as LV-426, is now home to a terraforming colony. However, contact with the colony has been lost, and in response a squad of Colonial Marines are sent to investigate aboard the USS Sulaco, accompanied by Ripley. Once back on LV-426, they soon discover that the colonists had discovered the derelict ship and that the Aliens now infest the entire colony.

Alien3 (1992)

Main article: Alien 3

A fire aboard the Sulaco as it returns to Earth causes the surviving crew to be ejected in an escape pod, which then crash-lands close to a prison colony on Fiorina "Fury" 161, killing everyone on board except Ripley. Unbeknownst to her, a Facehugger has accompanied her, and quickly spawns a new Alien in the prison. The creature soon begins a killing spree, while Ripley discovers there is also an Alien Queen growing inside her. 

Alien Resurrection (1997)

Main article: Alien Resurrection

200 years after the events on Fiorina 161, Ellen Ripley is cloned and the Alien Queen inside her is surgically removed from her body. The United Systems Military hopes to breed Aliens to study and research on the USM Auriga, using human hosts kidnapped and delivered to them by a group of mercenaries. The Aliens soon escape their enclosures, and Ripley 8 and the mercenaries resolve to escape and destroy the Auriga before it reaches its destination — Earth.

Prequel series

Prometheus (2012)

Main article: Prometheus (film)

Several decades before the events of the original Alien, archaeologists on Earth discover star maps apparently left by a race of extraterrestrials involved in shaping humanity's ancient past. Securing financial backing from ageing industrialist Sir Peter Weyland, an expedition is launched to investigate the distant system indicated by the messages, where the explorers hope to make contact with the aliens. However, what they find threatens not only their own safety but the future of the entire human race.

Alien: Covenant (2017)

Main article: Alien: Covenant

When the colony transport ship Covenant detects a transmission seemingly of human origin being broadcast from an uncharted but verdant world, the crew elect to divert their course and investigate. Upon landing, they encounter deadly alien life as well as the android David, the last survivor of the Prometheus expedition, who may be responsible for the very creatures that stalk the Covenant crew.

Future

Attempts at producing a sequel to Alien Resurrection have been trapped in development hell since the release of the film in the late 90s. Such a project almost entered production under director Neill Blomkamp in 2016/2017, although the film was subsequently cancelled, with Ridley Scott, director of Alien, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, stating that Fox "didn't want to do it".[1]

Subsequent to the release of Alien: Covenant, Scott has also been working on further prequel films. On March 3, 2017, it was reported that the next prequel film had already been written and would be ready to film in 2018, dependant on the success of Alien: Covenant.[2] Later the same month, in an interview with Fandango, Scott appeared to accidentally reveal that the title of the next film would be Alien: Awakening and also seemed to suggest that it would be a prequel set between Prometheus and Covenant.[3] The director went on to state that there would be at least three further prequel films, assuming the two movies were successful.[3] Regarding their content, Scott has suggested that in these subsequent films he intends to replace the Xenomorphs with AI-based antagonists, claiming that the sequels to the original Alien had reduced the creature's ability to scare audiences.[4] Thus the sequels will explore what a world created by AIs (without human interferance) would look like,[5] although the Engineers are also said to be returning in a larger role.[6]

In April 2018, Katherine Waterston, who played heroine Daniels in Alien: Covenant, stated that she hadn't "heard anything in ages" regarding a sequel, but did reveal that she had heard rumors "a long time ago" as to where her character may go next. Following the acquisition of 20th Century Fox by Disney, it was confirmed at the 2019 CinemaCon that future Alien films were still in development,[7][8] including Scott's third prequel, which is currently being written.[9]

Web Series

Alien: Isolation - The Digital Series (2019)

Main article: Alien: Isolation - The Digital Series

15 years after her mother Ellen disappeared along with the Nostromo, Amanda Ripley searches for clues that might reveal her mother's fate. Her search leads her to Sevastopol Station, where she finds herself trapped with terrified survivors and stalked by an Alien that has turned the station into a nightmare. An adaptation of the video game Alien: Isolation.

Comic Books

Dark Horse Comics

Main article: Aliens (comics line)

The vast majority of the comic books based on the Alien franchise have been published by Dark Horse Comics. These include adaptations of three of the four Alien films and several unproduced scripts, as well as a large number of original stories set in the Alien universe.

Film adaptations

Original stories


Non-Dark Horse comic books

While Dark Horse are by far and away the most prevalent publisher of Alien comics, a small number of officially licensed comic books based on the franchise have also been released by other publishers, most notably the adaptation of the original 1979 film. These are not considered a part of Dark Horse' continuity, and have never been collected together with Dark Horse stories.

Film adaptations

Original stories

Novels

Alien franchise novels have included both novelizations (of films, comic books and video games) and original stories.

Novelizations

Film novelizations

Comic novelizations

Video game novelizations

Original stories

Video Games

There have also been numerous video games based on the series, some of which have been (sometimes loose) adaptations of the films.

Gallery

See Also

References

  1. ↑ "The Guardian - Ridley Scott: Neill Blomkamp’s Alien 5 is never going to happen". Retrieved on 2017-05-30.
  2. ↑ "The Sydney Herald - Ridley Scott promises a return to Alien-style horror in Alien: Covenant". Retrieved on 2017-03-05.
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 "Fandango - HOW NOOMI RAPACE WILL RETURN FOR 'ALIEN: COVENANT,' PLUS: AT LEAST FOUR MORE 'ALIEN' MOVIES IN THE WORKS". Retrieved on 2017-03-20.
  4. ↑ "Alien: Covenant Star Hasn’t Heard About a Sequel ‘In Ages’". Retrieved on 2018-04-25.
  5. ↑ "Ridley Scott Teases Alien: Covenant Sequel Storyline". Retrieved on 2018-04-25.
  6. ↑ "YouTube - Bravo! Sir Ridley Scott hints at sequels to Alien Covenant!". Retrieved on 2017-06-24.
  7. ↑ "New 'Avengers: Endgame' Footage Hits CinemaCon". Retrieved on 2019-04-28.
  8. ↑ Webber, Tim. "REPORT: Ridley Scott Developing A New Alien Prequel". Retrieved on 2019-05-27. 
  9. ↑ Schaefer, Sandy. "Alien: Covenant Sequel Reportedly Being Written, Ridley Scott to Direct". Retrieved on 2019-05-27. 
Community content is available under CC-BY-SA unless otherwise noted.
More Fandoms