Noah Hawley's 'Alien' Reboot: A Bold Class Commentary Ignoring 'Prometheus' and Honoring Ridley Scott's Vision
Noah Hawley, the visionary showrunner behind FX's acclaimed series 'Silo' and known for his innovative adaptations, is now tackling one of sci-fi's most iconic franchises: 'Alien.' In a recent interview, Hawley discussed his ambitious approach to the series, revealing a surprising focus on class commentary, a deliberate disregard for the 'Prometheus' prequel, and a deep respect for the original film's director, Ridley Scott.
Hawley's 'Alien' reboot isn't simply a continuation of the existing storyline; it's a reimagining that seeks to explore deeper themes embedded within the franchise's DNA. He explains that the core of 'Alien' and its sequels always resonated with him on a socioeconomic level. The derelict spaceship, the oppressive corporate structure of Weyland-Yutani, and the desperate struggle for survival all paint a stark picture of class disparity and the exploitation of the working class – themes that Hawley intends to amplify in his series.
“I think it’s a class story,” Hawley stated. “Like, you have these workers who are going up into space and they’re being asked to do this incredibly dangerous job. And the people who are benefiting from it are not in the ship.” This perspective frames the narrative not just as a horror story about a terrifying creature, but as a critique of corporate greed and the human cost of progress.
A point of significant interest is Hawley's conscious decision to largely ignore the events and narrative threads established in Ridley Scott's 'Prometheus.' While acknowledging Scott's contribution to the 'Alien' universe, Hawley felt that 'Prometheus' veered too far into philosophical territory and diluted the franchise's core strength: its visceral, grounded horror and social commentary. “I’m not really looking back at ‘Prometheus’,” he admitted. “I’m looking back at the first film and trying to figure out what that was, and how to go forward from there.”
This focus on the original film and its director, Ridley Scott, is evident in Hawley's approach. He expresses a clear admiration for Scott's vision and has actively sought to honor his legacy while forging his own path. Hawley describes Scott as a