How 'Alien: Earth' Ties Into the 'Alien' Franchise

The Expanding Universe of Sci-Fi Storytelling

In today's entertainment landscape, we're witnessing an explosion of interconnected worlds, universes, and franchises. From television to film, the industry is leaning heavily into creating stories that build upon existing narratives where audiences already feel a sense of familiarity and connection. This trend is evident in upcoming projects such as Peacemaker season 2, which continues the DC Universe, HBO’s Welcome to Derry, a prequel to Stephen King's It, and The Paper, a new series expanding on The Office.

These expansions reflect a broader cultural shift toward immersive storytelling, where fans can explore deeper layers of established worlds. But what does this mean for a project like Alien: Earth? Given its title, one might expect it to fit neatly within the nearly 50-year-old Alien franchise that began with Ridley Scott's iconic 1979 film. However, the reality is more complex.

A New Chapter in the Alien Saga

Before Noah Hawley, the creator of Fargo, joined the Alien franchise, the series had always taken some creative liberties with traditional "canon." The films often span vast time periods, vary in tone, and don't always align perfectly with each other. There are also sub-franchises like Alien vs. Predator, along with various comics, video games, and other media that further complicate the narrative.

Hawley, known for his unique approach to storytelling, has a history of reinterpreting existing works while making them his own. His Fargo series pays homage to the Coen Brothers' original film but creates a distinct narrative that feels entirely new. Similarly, Legion is loosely connected to the X-Men universe but operates independently from the Fox-produced movies, carving out its own unique path.

This same philosophy applies to Alien: Earth. The show isn’t retconning any previous events or attempting to create a direct throughline to the original Alien films. Instead, it establishes itself within the larger Alien universe while maintaining its own identity.

Understanding the Timeline and World-Building

Set in the year 2120, Alien: Earth takes place just two years before the original Alien (2122), with Alien: Romulus set in 2142 and Aliens in 2179. Ridley Scott’s prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, are set even earlier, in 2093 and 2104 respectively.

Despite these connections, Alien: Earth doesn’t aim to tie directly into those films. Hawley has stated that he didn’t find much in Prometheus or Covenant that resonated with him. He explained that he preferred to focus on the version of Alien that he had grown up with, rather than engaging with the new origin story introduced by Scott.

"I lived for 28 years of my life believing that this creature was the perfect organism that had evolved over millions of years. Right? Then, Ridley made Prometheus and engaged with another idea in terms of the origin of these creatures," Hawley said at an SXSW panel. "It just wasn’t part of my DNA of how these movies worked. So I chose not to engage with that part of the story."

A Unique Take on the Alien Universe

While Alien: Earth exists within the same universe as the films, it doesn’t feel constrained by the need to align with every detail of the previous stories. As FX Entertainment president Gina Balian noted in a Variety cover story, the show exists "in parallel to the film franchise." Fans aren’t expected to see everything connect in the same way they would in a franchise like the MCU.

This approach allows Alien: Earth to tell its own story without being bound by the expectations of the larger Alien canon. The show introduces new elements, such as the Prodigy corporation and the character of Kid Cavalier, played by Samuel Blenkin. These additions enrich the world while keeping the core themes of space exploration, corporate greed, and the ever-present threat of the Xenomorphs.

Conclusion

Alien: Earth may not be a direct continuation of the original Alien films, but it still belongs to the same universe. It embraces the spirit of the franchise while forging its own path. With its unique storytelling and rich world-building, the show offers a fresh perspective on one of science fiction’s most enduring icons. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the Alien universe, Alien: Earth promises an experience that is both familiar and entirely new.