(Image credit: FX)
Alien: Earth showrunner Noah Hawley took a unique approach while crafting the new sci-fi horror series by reaching out to Dune director Denis Villeneuve. Intrigued by Villeneuve’s ability to depict grandeur, Hawley explains, “I had a conversation with Denis Villeneuve because his movies show scale like no other.” This insight is shared in the latest issue of SFX magazine, featuring Alien: Earth on the cover, launching Wednesday, July 16.
Hawley emphasized the importance of distinguishing scale, saying, “Crafting that sensation of being dwarfed by massive entities like a ship or a sandworm was crucial. It wasn’t about trade secrets; intimacy is equally important.” His objective was to blend grandeur with subtlety, a task he believes they’ve successfully accomplished.
Appreciatively reflecting on his interaction with Villeneuve, Hawley remarked, “It’s quite the name drop, isn’t it? The man’s a master, truly one of the greats. Story reigns supreme; when style overtakes substance, you’re lost.” His conversation underscored the balance between practical and visual effects, highlighting Hawley’s model of achieving more with fewer resources. “Vision and execution are key, but wisely allocating resources makes everything seem grander.”
This series marks a departure for the iconic Alien franchise, being the inaugural set on Earth. Taking place two years pre-1979’s Alien, the narrative follows Wendy (played by Sydney Chandler), a synthetic character on a mission to recover enigmatic cargo from an extraterrestrial crash site.
For those who haven’t subscribed, you can subscribe to SFX to have the latest issues delivered straight to your home or device! Alien: Earth is set to premiere on Hulu in the US on August 12 and Disney Plus in the UK on August 13. Dive into the freshest issue of SFX magazine, on sale starting Wednesday, July 16, and check out the Alien: Earth cover at your local newsstand.
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