FX and Disney’s ongoing series Alien: Earth is actively addressing the long-debated Ridley Scott Prometheus prequel problem by going further into the storylines introduced in previous Alien franchise films. As fans await Alien: Earth season 2, the show explores early encounters between Weyland-Yutani Corporation and the Xenomorphs, picking up thematic threads where Prometheus and Alien: Covenant left off unresolved.
Alien: Earth Sheds New Light on the Franchise’s Early Timeline
Alien: Earth stands apart within the Alien series, taking audiences further into the universe’s backstory by delving into the origins of the Xenomorphs and expanding on the secretive history of Weyland-Yutani. Whereas Prometheus established connections between humanity, the Engineers, and the first glimpses of the Xenomorph creation, Alien: Earth pursues the story of how the powerful corporation first learned of these creatures and what motivated their relentless hunt for them. While the new series is not a replacement for Prometheus, it shares central themes such as the exploration of corporate ambition and early Alien lore, but with a renewed commitment to telling a more complete narrative.
One of the most notable distinctions is that Alien: Earth is positioned to deliver closure to major plotlines that earlier films had to leave open-ended. In both Prometheus and Covenant, the promise of expanding on the origins of the Xenomorphs was cut short, leaving viewers with more questions than answers. Alien: Earth embraces these challenges and seeks to fill those narrative gaps.
Season 2 Renewal Ensures Key Storylines Will Move Forward
The conclusion of Alien: Earth’s first season left a number of character arcs unresolved, with the fate of central figures like Wendy, the Lost Boys, Boy Kavalier, and the Xenomorphs on Neverland Island hanging in the balance. Unlike the abrupt halts seen in previous franchise efforts, the confirmation of a second season means audiences will not have to contend with another cliffhanger, at least in the immediate future. FX and Disney’s recent decision to announce a season 2—several weeks prior—reflects confidence in showrunner Noah Hawley’s creative vision.
This confidence is further signaled by Hawley’s expanded collaboration deal with Disney and FX, which has already led to the announcement of a Far Cry spinoff series. The network’s faith in Hawley increases the chances that Alien: Earth will ultimately conclude with a thoughtfully crafted ending, rather than remain unfinished like its cinematic predecessors.
Ridley Scott’s Prequel Ambitions Remained Unfulfilled
Unlike Alien: Earth, the prequel storyline Ridley Scott envisioned never reached completion. Scott originally planned a trilogy focused on Michael Fassbender’s chilling portrayal of the synthetic David. Prometheus showcased David’s growing disillusionment with humanity and fascination with the mysterious Engineers, while Covenant ended with David in possession of a ship full of unsuspecting colonists, prepared for his dark experiments. However, despite this build-up, the proposed third installment was never produced, leaving the saga unresolved.
Although Alien: Covenant performed reasonably well at the box office, it fell short of Prometheus’s commercial success. Fan reactions to both films were divided, dampening the prospects for a concluding film. Ridley Scott’s recent remarks expressing his disengagement from the franchise have only solidified the notion that viewers will never see the full arc of David or a completed Xenomorph origins story on the big screen.
While Alien: Earth even introduces flawed scientists in a nod to Prometheus’s infamous crew, it contextualizes these characters in ways that add depth to earlier mistakes and render Scott’s original characters more understandable.
Alien: Earth Is Poised for a Complete Story Under Noah Hawley’s Direction
The narrative foundation laid by Ridley Scott in Prometheus and Covenant appears unlikely to reach a conventional conclusion. Nevertheless, Alien: Earth stands to avoid that fate, thanks to FX, Disney, and the stewardship of Noah Hawley. Hawley has made it clear he holds a strategic outline for Alien: Earth, and with the backing he now receives, the series could run for as many seasons as its central story requires.
Regardless of personal preferences toward Prometheus and Covenant, both films attempted to introduce new ideas and directions to the Alien universe. While not universally welcomed, Scott’s creative risks brought fresh intrigue, and his incomplete vision leaves a lingering sense of missed potential. Similarly, Hawley’s Alien: Earth applies its own inventive lens to the franchise, and the current showrunners deserve the opportunity to realize a comprehensive, fully resolved origin narrative for the Xenomorphs and Weyland-Yutani’s enduring obsession.
The Broader Impact of Alien: Earth’s Approach
With the upcoming release of Alien: Earth season 2 scheduled for August 12, 2025 on FX and Hulu, anticipation is building among both long-time followers and new viewers. The season’s renewal not only promises resolutions for central characters like Wendy and Boy Kavalier, but also signifies that FX and Disney value thorough storytelling over unresolved cliffhangers—a lesson learned from franchise history.
The casting of actors such as Sydney Chandler and Alex Lawther reflects the show’s dedication to multi-layered characters and a complex narrative, much like the earlier films that featured Noomi Rapace as Elizabeth Shaw and Michael Fassbender as David. These echoes across the franchise reinforce the series’ connection to its cinematic lineage, while pushing forward with a unique and ambitious vision shaped by Hawley and his creative team.
Alien: Earth’s path demonstrates a determination to address the Ridley Scott Prometheus prequel problem by prioritizing narrative completion and innovation. As the show continues, fans of the Alien universe may finally receive the comprehensive origin story that has eluded the franchise for more than a decade, potentially setting a new standard for future entries in the series.
