Ridley Scott's original 1979 Alien film may have started off as a standalone sci-fi/horror film, but the movie following Sigourney Weaver's Ripley as she survives the brutal attacks of a Xenomorph has since become a classic - and launched an entire franchise. Alien inspired three sequels, with a fifth film in development from director Neill Blomkamp, but Scott himself revived the franchise in 2012 with the prequel, Prometheus. Now, Scott is continuing his prequel series with the upcoming Prometheus sequel, Alien: Covenant.

Scott has teased the mysterious new Alien series installment through a number of photos from the set, including Katherine Waterston's character, and certain recognizable alien pilot seats. Plus, reactions to footage from Alien: Covenant that screened for press in early December indicated the film would uphold Alien's classic blend of sci-fi and horror. Now, fans of Scott's franchise get their first look at the new installment with the trailer for Alien: Covenant.

Twentieth Century Fox has released the first trailer for Alien: Covenant, the second film in Scott's Alien prequel series. The movie follows the crew of the Covenant colony ship, which arrives on an alien planet searching for a new home. However, they soon learn that they aren't alone on the planet -- and there are certain particularly deadly creatures inhabiting it, like the new alien, the Neomorph.

Alien Covenant Ridley Scott

In addition to Waterston, Alien: Covenant stars Michael Fassbender (Assassin's Creed), Billy Crudup (Spotlight, Watchmen), Danny McBride (Sausage Party), Amy Seimetz (The Girlfriend Experience), Jussie Smollett (Empire), Carmen Ejogo (The Purge: Anarchy), and James Franco (Why Him?). Plus, Prometheus co-stars Noomi Rapace and Guy Pearce are rumored to reprise their roles as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw and Peter Wayland, respectively.

The trailer for Alien: Covenant contains a number of shots taken from the two extended sequences screened for press earlier this month - read our breakdown of that footage - depicting a dropship from the Covenant craft landing on the planet, and what may be the first Neomorph emerging from a man's back. Still more shots tease the relationships of the Covenant crew members, what seems to be a deadly showdown aboard the ship, and an exploration of the planet - perhaps leading to the Covenant crew members discovering Fassbender's Prometheus android David.

Still, while the majority of the story for Alien: Covenant remains a mystery even with this first trailer, the footage teases plenty of horror in the latest installment in Fox's Alien franchise. Of course, it remains to be seen whether Scott's upcoming film is a perfect balance between elements of Prometheus and the original Alien, but the first trailer for Alien: Covenant should give fans an idea of what to expect from this return to the Alien series.

Next: Katherine Waterston Alien: Covenant Interview

Source: 20th Century Fox

Key Release Dates

  • alien covenant
    Release Date:
    2017-05-19