History of Alien: Covenant in Timeline
Alien: Covenant, a sequel to Prometheus, follows the crew of the colony ship Covenant as they discover a seemingly habitable planet. They soon realize it's a dangerous world harboring the synthetic David, survivor of the Prometheus mission. David has been experimenting with the alien pathogen, creating horrific new Xenomorph variations. The crew battles for survival against these creatures while uncovering David's sinister plans for creation and destruction, ultimately revealing his desire to become a god-like figure through the alien's devastating power.
August 1, 2012: 20th Century Fox pursues sequel
As of August 1, 2012, 20th Century Fox was planning a sequel to Prometheus with Ridley Scott, Noomi Rapace, and Michael Fassbender. They began searching for writers in case Damon Lindelof chose not to return.
December 2012: Lindelof chooses not to work on project
In December 2012, Damon Lindelof chose not to work on the sequel. Scott initially planned to phase out xenomorphs, focusing on David 8, but later confirmed their presence due to feedback to Prometheus.
2012: Scott hints at sequel
In 2012, Ridley Scott began hinting at a sequel to Prometheus, as the film had left many questions unanswered. Scott mentioned that the sequel would follow Shaw to a sinister destination.
2012: Scott discusses Prometheus sequel
In 2012, prior to the release of Prometheus, director Ridley Scott discussed the potential for a sequel and a new trilogy within the Alien franchise. This discussion led to the confirmation of Alien: Covenant later that year.
2012: Sequel confirmed
In 2012, the Alien: Covenant film was confirmed, after Ridley Scott discussed the prospects of a sequel and new trilogy, before the release of Prometheus.
June 2013: Initial screenplay written
In June 2013, Jack Paglen wrote the initial screenplay for Alien: Covenant.
March 2014: Michael Green hired to rewrite screenplay
In March 2014, Michael Green was hired to rewrite Jack Paglen's script for Alien: Covenant.
August 2015: Casting announcements
In August 2015, it was announced that Noomi Rapace and Michael Fassbender would star in Alien: Covenant. Rik Barnett was in talks to join the cast.
August 2015: Scott scouts locations
In late August 2015, Ridley Scott began scouting locations for the film Alien: Covenant.
September 2015: Scott plans two sequels to Prometheus
In September 2015, Ridley Scott said he was planning two sequels to Prometheus that would lead into the first Alien film.
September 24, 2015: Film title disclosed as Alien: Paradise Lost
On September 24, 2015, director Ridley Scott revealed the title of the film as Alien: Paradise Lost.
October 2015: Australian government provides grants
In October 2015, the Australian government attracted the production of Alien: Covenant by providing AU$47.25 million in grants.
November 2015: New title revealed
In November 2015, Ridley Scott revealed the new title of the film as Alien: Covenant and explained David's dark turn since Prometheus.
November 16, 2015: Official logo, synopsis, and release date released
On November 16, 2015, the official logo, synopsis, and release date for Alien: Covenant were released.
February 2016: Additional cast members announced
In February 2016, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, and others joined the cast of Alien: Covenant.
February 2016: Filming start date announced
In November 2015, Ridley Scott revealed filming would begin in February 2016 in Australia.
March 2016: Benjamin Rigby joins the cast
In March 2016, newcomer Benjamin Rigby joined the cast of Alien: Covenant.
March 28, 2016: Location Scouting in New Zealand
On March 28, 2016, Woz Productions Ltd. visited Te Anau, New Zealand, to scout locations for filming in Fiordland for Alien: Covenant.
April 4, 2016: Principal photography begins
On April 4, 2016, principal photography for Alien: Covenant commenced at Milford Sound in Fiordland National Park, New Zealand.
July 19, 2016: Principal photography wrapped
On July 19, 2016, principal photography for Alien: Covenant concluded.
December 2016: James Franco cast as Captain Branson
In December 2016, James Franco was announced to have been cast as Captain Branson in Alien: Covenant, though his role was limited to a cameo.
2016: Jed Kurzel replaces Harry Gregson-Williams as composer
In 2016, Jed Kurzel replaced Harry Gregson-Williams as the composer for Alien: Covenant's musical score. Themes from Jerry Goldsmith's Alien score and Prometheus were incorporated. A version of Nature Boy by Aurora was used in the first trailer.
2016: Noomi Rapace's role reduced
In 2016, Ridley Scott stated that Noomi Rapace would not reprise her role as Elizabeth Shaw in Alien: Covenant, but in June, it was announced that Rapace would shoot a week's worth of scenes.
March 2017: Scott wants to keep the franchise going
In March 2017, Ridley Scott expressed his desire to continue the Alien franchise, saying he could keep making films for another six installments.
April 26, 2017: Alien: Covenant In Utero VR Experience Release
On April 26, 2017, 20th Century Fox released Alien: Covenant In Utero, a virtual reality interactive demo teaser for Alien: Covenant for the Oculus Rift and the Samsung Gear VR. The experience was produced by Ridley Scott Associates.
May 4, 2017: Alien: Covenant Premieres in London
On May 4, 2017, Alien: Covenant premiered in London.
June 16, 2017: Release in China
On June 16, 2017, Alien: Covenant was released in China. The version released was six minutes shorter than the version released elsewhere due to censorship.
August 15, 2017: Home media release
The Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD releases of Alien: Covenant came out on August 15, 2017. The home release includes an audio commentary by the director and deleted scenes.
September 2017: 20th Century Fox intends to proceed with sequel
In September 2017, Stacey Snider, CEO of 20th Century Fox, stated that the studio still intended to proceed with Scott's sequel to Alien: Covenant, despite its financial disappointment. Carl Braga announced the project was delayed.
September 26, 2017: Release of Alien: Covenant – Origins
On September 26, 2017, Titan Books released a plot summary in advance of the release of Alan Dean Foster's Alien: Covenant – Origins.
October 6, 2017: Original release date
Originally, Alien: Covenant was set to be released on October 6, 2017, before being moved up to August 4, and then to its final date.
2017: Release of Alien: Covenant
In 2017, Alien: Covenant, a science fiction horror film directed by Ridley Scott, was released. It is a sequel to Prometheus and follows the crew of a colony ship making a terrifying discovery on an uncharted planet.
2017: Positive review by RogerEbert.com
In 2017, Matt Zoller Seitz of RogerEbert.com highly praised Alien: Covenant, giving it four out of four stars. Seitz voted for Alien: Covenant as one of the five best films of 2017 in Sight & Sound.
November 2018: Plot details reported
In November 2018, plot details for a sequel to Alien: Covenant were reported to take place on LV-426, featuring the Engineers and David.
2018: Third prequel film's production was originally scheduled to begin
The screenplay for the third prequel film was written during production of Alien: Covenant and finished in 2017, with production originally scheduled to begin in 2018.
2019: Disney to create new stories in Alien series
At the 2019 CinemaCon, it was stated that Disney "will continue to create new stories" in the Alien series after its acquisition of 21st Century Fox. Variety reported that another prequel was reportedly in the script phase with Ridley Scott attached to direct, but it was uncertain due to the disappointing box office returns of Alien: Covenant.
2019: Studio decision to remove Rapace
In a 2019 interview, creature designer Carlos Huantes stated that he believed it was the studio's decision to remove Noomi Rapace from Alien: Covenant.
September 2020: New Alien film in development
In September 2020, Ridley Scott confirmed that a new Alien film was in development but it was unclear if this would be a sequel to Alien: Covenant.
August 2021: Sequel uncertain
In August 2021, a news report concluded that a sequel to Alien: Covenant was uncertain.
March 2022: Fede Álvarez to write and direct
By March 2022, Fede Álvarez was attached to write and direct a new film in the Alien series, with a story "unconnected" to previous films.
March 2023: New Alien film begins production
20th Century Studios announced in March 2023 that a new Alien film would begin production the same month.
August 16, 2024: Release of Alien: Romulus
On August 16, 2024, Alien: Romulus was released in theaters, featuring narrative ties to Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
October 2024: Scott confirms new Alien film
In October 2024, Ridley Scott confirmed he is developing a new Alien film.
June 1, 2025: Ridley Scott departs from the Alien franchise
On June 1, 2025, Ridley Scott announced his departure from the Alien franchise, expressing his critiques of the Alien sequels.
Mentioned in this timeline
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