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Films/TV => FX's Alien Series => Topic started by: RidgeTop on Aug 04, 2022, 02:52:46 AM

Title: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: RidgeTop on Aug 04, 2022, 02:52:46 AM
Via THR: https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/tv/tv-news/fx-fargo-season-5-alien-1235191920/
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 03:17:56 AM
QuoteAsked if the Weylan-Yutani corporation is the show's focus, Landgraf says, "The Alien cinematic universe is that it's a world where that's sort of dominated by large corporate entities, and Weylan-Yutani has been in an important component of the movies. There are references to that corporation in this show. But it actually takes place in the territory of a different corporation that Noah invented."

The executive went on to compare the series to the first two Alien films, both of which were critical and box office hits with their own uniquely creative approach.

"I'm a big fan of Alien and Aliens and I remember watching both of them in the theater and how how shockingly original and surprising each of them was in its own way," Landgraf says. "And so, similar to his approach to Fargo, Noah decided to not to take Ripley or any character from Alien – except perhaps the xenomorph itself – but go back and figure out what made the franchise so great and so durable in the first place and see if he could find an experience that felt like walking into a theater and seeing one of those first two movies, where you get caught off guard. That's all I can say at this point though."

TL;DR: it takes place somewhere some time and is hopefully good
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 04, 2022, 03:26:00 AM
The bit about this centering around a new corporation lines up with the leaks we've seen and Hawley's own comments from interviews a year or so ago, so not much surprise there.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Mike’s Monsters on Aug 04, 2022, 05:45:22 AM
Maybe they'll take a hint from Prey and go back to basics. From the leaks, not sure if that's the case. But with Hawley's track record, I'm very optimistic. Cautiously optimistic.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 05:50:24 AM
He seems to think the basics are transhumanism and class struggles so I'm really, really not optimistic on that front.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Immortan Jonesy on Aug 04, 2022, 05:57:50 AM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 05:50:24 AMclass struggles

But what about "crew expendable" and the "bonus situation"?  :o
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 06:02:39 AM
Important thematic elements but not the foundation of the film's success. The foundation was that it was a f**king scary movie about a face-raping chest-erupting monster with production design infinitely better than the concept deserved. The rest is icing on the cake.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: T Dog on Aug 04, 2022, 06:16:09 AM
What's the cannon situation with this show? Is it in it's own timeline apart from the movies?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 04, 2022, 10:46:18 AM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 06:02:39 AMImportant thematic elements but not the foundation of the film's success. The foundation was that it was a f**king scary movie about a face-raping chest-erupting monster with production design infinitely better than the concept deserved. The rest is icing on the cake.

And yet Landgraf's making the point that Alien was scary, but each entry after that's put their own spin on the concept for better or worse.

The thematic stuff's what survived from entry to entry and has persisted, not the fact it is horror, or action or thriller, or drama. 

And the Alien itself, although I'd argue it's not really been the focus for the last three films at all in the franchise either, not including the AVPs.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 10:51:30 AM
So neither scary nor exciting?

Which seems accurate from everything said so far.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 04, 2022, 11:19:04 AM
Quote from: Mike's Monsters on Aug 04, 2022, 05:45:22 AMMaybe they'll take a hint from Prey and go back to basics. From the leaks, not sure if that's the case. But with Hawley's track record, I'm very optimistic. Cautiously optimistic.

I don't really expect something "back to basics" from this series. From the Alvarez film, however...
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: T Dog on Aug 04, 2022, 04:38:10 PM
Quote from: Nightmare Asylum on Aug 04, 2022, 11:19:04 AM
Quote from: Mike's Monsters on Aug 04, 2022, 05:45:22 AMMaybe they'll take a hint from Prey and go back to basics. From the leaks, not sure if that's the case. But with Hawley's track record, I'm very optimistic. Cautiously optimistic.

I don't really expect something "back to basics" from this series. From the Alvarez film, however...
"We are planning a dark, gritty reboot of Alien, a take like nobody has ever seen before!
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BigDaddyJohn on Aug 04, 2022, 05:10:46 PM
I'm more keen on seeing the Alvarez movie also, but I'm still interested in what this show will bring to the table.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 04, 2022, 05:15:46 PM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 10:51:30 AMSo neither scary nor exciting?

Which seems accurate from everything said so far.


This' more horrific to me than Alien ever was honestly, in a completely different way though, and it is in essence about body horror through transhumanism.


The Alien being the catalyst for that or intervening aspect, could be absolutely fantastic, like Cold Forge or Into Charybdis.



It's what I'd call conceptual horror, (Enigma of Amigara Fault, Legion FX in this example being having your body taken over and your personality changed unwillingly and Under the Skin) instead of adrenaline horror, (Alien and The Thing and Predator and Jaws) my favourites being where you mush the two together though, such as Silent Hill and Dead Space as big examples.

But I have always found the psychology stuff more scary than the monster chasing you part.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 06:08:29 PM
As Prey seems to be proving, you don't need to reinvent the wheel to keep the franchise fresh.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 06:10:43 PM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 10:51:30 AMSo neither scary nor exciting?

Which seems accurate from everything said so far.

Are we talking about Alien 3 now?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Gimitko on Aug 04, 2022, 06:27:49 PM
Noah said in a fairly recent interview that hes realized all of his recent work is about the exploitation and abuse of children. This show seems to be following that tradition by having numerous Peter Pan references already, with a character being called Wendy, the first episode "Neverland" and a very young naive CEO running what is essentially a factory for superhumans. Considering he said the show will be about "humanity at its worst" I expect childish naivete to be used for horrible ends and for core tension of the show to come from there. The young CEO of Prodigy is mentioned to have a manipulative old advisor and judging from what we have heard so far, I suspect that old advisor might desire to take over the body of his young master, transferring his conciousness to it. Hawleys villains are always remarkable. Just musing about what the show might be about, considering I know Noahs work inside and out.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BigDaddyJohn on Aug 04, 2022, 06:58:29 PM
How dare you.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 04, 2022, 07:22:25 PM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 06:08:29 PMAs Prey seems to be proving, you don't need to reinvent the wheel to keep the franchise fresh.
Do you know that as yet?
Not like Aliens changed the genre or anything and then Alien³ changed it again.


Quote from: BigDaddyJohn on Aug 04, 2022, 06:58:29 PMHow dare you.

That's okay, they can be incorrect about that, and are incorrect about this as well in my opinion. Just like so many wrote off Prey immediately. That's what my intuition tells me though anyway.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 08:29:10 PM
From what we know that post seems pretty accurate.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 04, 2022, 08:38:25 PM
Quote from: Gimitko on Aug 04, 2022, 06:27:49 PMNoah said in a fairly recent interview that hes realized all of his recent work is about the exploitation and abuse of children. This show seems to be following that tradition by having numerous Peter Pan references already, with a character being called Wendy, the first episode "Neverland" and a very young naive CEO running what is essentially a factory for superhumans. Considering he said the show will be about "humanity at its worst" I expect childish naivete to be used for horrible ends and for core tension of the show to come from there. The young CEO of Prodigy is mentioned to have a manipulative old advisor and judging from what we have heard so far, I suspect that old advisor might desire to take over the body of his young master, transferring his conciousness to it. Hawleys villains are always remarkable. Just musing about what the show might be about, considering I know Noahs work inside and out.

f**k yes.

Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 08:47:21 PM
This is still an Alien show, right?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 08:49:57 PM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 08:47:21 PMThis is still an Alien show, right?
The producer didn't even seem sure if they took the Alien from the movies so I'm not getting my hopes up.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 08:57:11 PM
Quote from: SiL on Aug 04, 2022, 08:49:57 PM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 08:47:21 PMThis is still an Alien show, right?
The producer didn't even seem sure if they took the Alien from the movies so I'm not getting my hopes up.

Then why should we watch it?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 04, 2022, 09:18:16 PM
Because of Noah Hawley. Not because "insert franchise" in fact, granted I gravitated towards Legion because of the relation to the X-Men, but that's ultimately a bonus to a well told story.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 04, 2022, 11:27:56 PM
What about dance numbers?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 05, 2022, 01:59:38 AM
That was a turn off lol
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Immortan Jonesy on Aug 05, 2022, 02:11:50 AM
I bet Noah can do wonders with an in-universe Alien musical
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 05, 2022, 02:16:40 AM
It's just a meme at this point honestly.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: 𝔗𝔥𝔢 𝔈𝔦𝔤𝔥𝔱𝔥 𝔓𝔞𝔰𝔰𝔢𝔫𝔤𝔢𝔯 on Aug 05, 2022, 11:30:42 AM
Quote from: Immortan Jonesy on Aug 05, 2022, 02:11:50 AMI bet Noah can do wonders with an in-universe Alien musical

(https://i.pinimg.com/originals/ea/df/bd/eadfbd96dd93ec43ef9e699d928f53db.gif)
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BlueMarsalis79 on Aug 05, 2022, 05:30:22 PM
Let's hope not lol.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: [cancerblack] on Aug 11, 2022, 12:19:13 AM
Quote from: Gimitko on Aug 04, 2022, 06:27:49 PMNoah said in a fairly recent interview that hes realized all of his recent work is about the exploitation and abuse of children.

It shows.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 11, 2022, 12:37:03 AM
Quote from: [cancerblack] on Aug 11, 2022, 12:19:13 AM
Quote from: Gimitko on Aug 04, 2022, 06:27:49 PMNoah said in a fairly recent interview that hes realized all of his recent work is about the exploitation and abuse of children.

It shows.

I've never even seen one of his shows.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: [cancerblack] on Aug 13, 2022, 12:18:46 AM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 11, 2022, 12:37:03 AMI've never even seen one of his shows.

Will that change when Alien: The Musical drops?
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: T Dog on Aug 13, 2022, 09:05:51 AM
I'm thinking the community can work "It's a hard knock life" into our Bret/Parker "The Bonus Situation" sitcom.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: BigDaddyJohn on Aug 13, 2022, 09:26:46 AM
 :laugh:
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Local Trouble on Aug 13, 2022, 03:54:38 PM
Quote from: [cancerblack] on Aug 13, 2022, 12:18:46 AM
Quote from: Local Trouble on Aug 11, 2022, 12:37:03 AMI've never even seen one of his shows.

Will that change when Alien: The Musical drops?

In the unlikely event that an alien actually makes a cameo between all the corporate intrigue and "exploration of what it means to be human" bullshit, I might glance at it.
Title: Re: FX Chairman John Landgraf Talks Alien Series Setting
Post by: Immortan Jonesy on Aug 14, 2022, 04:16:06 AM
Maybe that's the path that leads us to understand "the exploration of what it means to be alien". But more likely I am too biased since I liked both; Legion & Fargo. Fargo is my favorite though. Taste stuff, I guess. 👉👈