The latest trailer for Alien: Earth has finally given us a glimpse of a xenomorph on Earth, along with an unsettling moment involving a sheep’s eye. This new FX series dives deep into a mysterious space research vessel, the USCSS Maginot, which crash-lands on Earth.
Wendy (Sydney Chandler) and a group of tactical soldiers make a chilling discovery that pits them against not only the iconic xenomorph but also a variety of other alien species.
One of the most striking images from the trailer is the final shot, where a lone xenomorph is seen within what appears to be a crater, created by the crash. It’s a stark departure from what we’ve come to expect from the franchise, as we’re used to seeing these creatures wreak havoc in confined spaces like spaceships. But this time, the question is: what happens when a xenomorph finds its way to Earth? Things likely won’t go as planned.
Yet, the xenomorph is just one of five alien creatures aboard the Maginot. Previous trailers hinted at these beings, including a strange plant-like entity. This latest clip focuses on one particularly creepy alien – a creature obsessed with eyeballs, which seems to have sinister intentions with a poor sheep. The sheep is seen hooked up to a device that suggests it’s being used in some kind of twisted experiment, perhaps to study the effects of this alien species on living creatures.
A brief moment later in the trailer shows a woman fighting off the same alien, which seems intent on invading her eye. It’s a truly grotesque sight, and it adds to the growing sense of horror that this show promises.
Alien: Earth is shaping up to be a thrilling addition to the franchise, and with each new trailer, the excitement grows. The big question remains: how will this new series tie into the original Alien movies and the infamous Weyland-Yutani corporation’s plans for the xenomorph? The show is set in 2120, two years before the events of the first Alien film, and Earth is now ruled by five major corporations, including Weyland-Yutani, Prodigy, and Threshold.
Wendy, the protagonist, is a hybrid – a humanoid robot with human consciousness – and a key part of the ongoing quest for immortality that’s a recurring theme in the Alien universe. As the series progresses, we’ll undoubtedly learn more about the sinister motives of these corporations and their experiments.
Alien: Earth premieres with two episodes on August 12 on Hulu at 8pm ET and on FX and Disney+ at 8pm PT / ET (August 13 in the UK). New episodes will follow each Tuesday for the duration of the eight-episode season.
Showrunner Noah Hawley recently discussed his decision to move away from the Prometheus backstory, explaining that he preferred the “retro-futurism” of the original films. While Ridley Scott had a hand in the series’ development, Hawley ultimately chose to explore a different narrative, one less focused on the bioweapon angle that was introduced in the prequels.