“Alien: Earth” Creator Noah Hawley Reveals Stark Commentary on Modern Billionaire Culture & Retro-Futurist Design Choices
Los Angeles, CA – May 16, 2024 – Ahead of its August 22nd premiere on FX and Hulu, Noah Hawley, the creative force behind “Fargo” and “Legion,” is unveiling the intricate world of “Alien: earth,” a new series expanding the iconic Alien universe. In a recent interview, Hawley detailed the show’s intentional parallels to contemporary issues of wealth disparity and the anxieties surrounding unchecked power, alongside a meticulous commitment to the original 1979 Alien‘s aesthetic.
While the series ventures far into the 22nd century, hawley’s inspiration is firmly rooted in the present. “Alien: Earth” doesn’t simply offer new monsters; it presents a chilling reflection of our own world, dominated by increasingly powerful and often detached billionaires.
The series unfolds across a stratified future. We see glimpses of opulent, self-contained corporate cities – one specifically described as evoking a Chicagoan aesthetic – and the extravagant lifestyles of the ultra-rich. A key scene involves characters stumbling upon a lavish, Louis XIV-themed party reminiscent of J.G. Ballard’s dystopian novel High-Rise,highlighting the decadence and isolation of the elite. The story begins even higher, introducing Elias Vance, the CEO of Weyland-Yutani, in a scene set thousands of feet above an unnamed metropolis recognizable to Chicago residents.(Hawley did not specify which chicago landmark inspired the setting.)
At the heart of this world is Boy Kavalier, portrayed by Samuel Blenkin, the “youngest trillionaire ever.” Kavalier, who founded the tech giant Prodigy at age six and is now in his early twenties, serves as a direct commentary on figures like Elon Musk, currently projected to become one of the first trillionaires. Hawley explicitly draws a connection between Kavalier and the character of Peter Pan.”The CEO of this company tells himself he’s Peter Pan,” Hawley explained, “And then you read Peter Pan and you go, ‘That’s a dark book.’ he’s kidnapping these children, he’s taking them to this island, [and] it’s implied that when they start to grow up, he gets rid of them.” This parallel is visually reinforced through Kavalier’s research facility on the secluded island of Neverland, where the first human-alien hybrids are created and named after the Lost Boys.
Hawley and costume designer Suttirat Anne Larlarb opted to dress Kavalier exclusively in pajamas without shoes,a deliberate choice reflecting his absolute ownership and detachment from conventional value. “Everything’s his house,” Hawley stated. “The thing about money that I’ve observed is at a certain point, everything is just free. You don’t feel the loss of the money, you’re not actually buying anything or aware of the transactions.”
This mindset extends to Kavalier’s callous treatment of others, moast starkly demonstrated in his instruction to “triage the rescue by income bracket” following the catastrophic crash of the transport ship Maginot. Hawley sees Kavalier as a “literalization” of a growing concern: “Where are the adults? Where are the people who think more about tomorrow than today?”
A Return to Retro-Futurism & authentic World-Building
Beyond the social commentary, “Alien: Earth” is deeply committed to honoring the visual language of Ridley Scott’s original Alien. The series opens aboard the Maginot, meticulously recreated to mirror the nostromo from the 1979 film. Hawley emphasized the importance of “retro-futurism” – the aesthetic of outdated technology that felt futuristic at the time – including cathode ray tube monitors,green ASCII text,and uniquely designed keyboards.
The production team utilized original Nostromo blueprints, ensuring accuracy “down to the props.” Hawley acknowledged the challenge of establishing the world quickly, aiming to replicate the 40-minute character introduction of Alien within the first four minutes of the premiere episode. He specifically noted the importance of grounding the series in the established alien canon,making it feel authentic to long-time fans.
Key Details Not in Original Article:
Premiere Date: August 22nd, 2024
Streaming Platform: FX and Hulu
Actor Playing Boy Kavalier: Samuel Blenkin
Specific Reference to Chicago: The unnamed corporate city is designed to be recognizable to Chicago residents, though no specific landmark was named.
Transport Ship Name: Maginot
Emphasis on Blueprint Usage: The Maginot was designed using original
