The eagerly awaited FX series *Alien: Earth*, crafted by television genius Noah Hawley (*Fargo*, *Legion*), remains mostly under wraps, yet an intriguing detail has recently surfaced. Producers Rebecca and Kevin Joelson, responsible for the show’s teaser trailer, have disclosed behind-the-scenes images and footage illustrating the creation of the teaser.
The most eye-catching revelation? The xenomorph highlighted in the trailer was realized using practical effects instead of CGI. In a [clip featured on the Joelsons’ website](https://www.thejoelsons.com/alien-earth), an actor dons the xenomorph’s iconic headgear, complete with sharp teeth and the alien’s well-known inner jaw. The teaser includes a chilling reflection of Earth within the xenomorph’s shiny dome, paired with the tagline: “In 2120, Mother Earth is expecting.”
Set two years prior to the events of Ridley Scott’s legendary *Alien*, the series begins with the crash of a mysterious space craft on Earth, according to FX. Upholding the franchise’s legacy of strong female characters, Sydney Chandler takes on the role of the lead, one of the first to discover the puzzling ship. The ensemble cast also features Timothy Olyphant, Alex Lawther, and Essie Davis. *Alien: Earth* is scheduled to debut this summer on Hulu.
Hawley, who is the creator and writer of the series, disclosed in an [interview with *The Hollywood Reporter*](https://youtu.be/S1wfJSaS7ZU) that the show predominantly utilizes practical effects, with only minimal CGI employed. This strategy echoes that of Fede Alvarez’s *Alien: Romulus*, which was released earlier this year and similarly stepped back from the heavy CGI of Ridley Scott’s prequel films, including 2017’s *Alien: Covenant*. Although *Romulus* encountered some backlash for using deepfake technology to recreate a character from the original *Alien*, it achieved both critical and commercial acclaim, amassing over $350 million worldwide.
As fans eagerly anticipate *Alien: Earth*, this behind-the-scenes look at its practical effects has only amplified excitement for what is set to be an exhilarating new installment in the *Alien* franchise.