Good news for fans of the “Alien” franchise who want to see more xenomorphs soon: Deadline reports that Noah Hawley‘s FX prequel series “Alien” will begin shooting this year.
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FX head John Landgraf talked about the upcoming series at TCA earlier today, saying that Hawley will start production on “Alien” after he finishes shooting “Fargo” Season 5. “Noah is currently in production on the fifth season of “Fargo” but he’s in active preproduction on “Alien,” he’s written scripts,” confirmed Landraf. “Active preproduction” sounds very promising indeed. “I think he’s meeting with his production designer in Austin this weekend,” Landgraf added, “gearing up for production this year after he completes the fifth season of “Fargo.””
Landraf also talked a bit about “Alien” at last winter’s virtual TCA for those who don’t recall. Last year, Landraf mentioned that Hawley’s show “takes place before Ripley. It’s the first story that takes place in the “Alien” franchise on Earth.” So, in the franchise’s timeline, the upcoming takes place before Ridley Scott‘s original 1979 film and before 2012’s “Prometheus.” Landgraf also confirmed no prior characters from the series, including Ripley, will be part of the Hawley’s project. “Ripley won’t be a part of it or any of the other characters of “Alien” other than the alien itself,” said the FX head.
FX first announced Hawley’s “Alien” at the Disney Investor Day in December 2020. It’s the first “Alien” project since Scott’s 2017 film “Alien: Covenant,” which received polarizing reviews from critics. But audiences liked it well enough, making nearly $241 million off an $111 million budget. But to reiterate, Hawley’s series won’t ouch upon any of Scott’s films, or the sequels by James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet.
In the meantime, before “Alien” heads into production, there’s “Fargo” Season 5 to look forward to. The latest season of Hawley’s critical sensation stars Juno Temple, Jon Hamm, Joe Keery, Lamorne Morris, and Richa Moorjani.  David Rhysdahl, Sam Spruell, Jessica Pohly, Dave Foley, and Nick Gomez also star in the new season. Expect the next rendition of “Fargo” to drop sometime this spring or early summer at the latest.
Are audiences ready for a new take on the “Alien” franchise? Ridley Scott is likely too busy to return to the series he built with his upcoming “Gladiator” sequel. Still, some fresh blood may be exactly what the “Alien” property needs. More news on this show to come.