Is Alien: Covenant a Prequel to Prometheus?

Often questioned and debated, the relationship between Alien: Covenant and the Prometheus universe is a central topic among sci-fi enthusiasts. Is Alien: Covenant a prequel to Prometheus? To clarify, the answer is no; Covenant serves as the direct sequel to Prometheus, though with subtleties that make the narrative intriguing.

Sequels and Prequels in the Alien Franchise

It is important to understand that both Prometheus and Covenant are prequels to the original Alien films, while Prometheus itself acts as a soft-reboot. The art direction and design of Prometheus reflect a 2012 sensibility rather than the aesthetic of the 1970s and 1980s when the original Alien films were released.

Prometheus delved into the origins of the Xenomorphs, exploring the events that led to the creation of the alien species, while Covenant picks up the tale a few years later. Ridley Scott ensures that the technological aspects are well-articulated without overexaggerating, achieving a balance that is both engaging and plausible.

Comparing Covenant to Aliens

The setup of Covenant closely mirrors that of James Cameron’s Aliens, specifically at the 15m14s mark where Colonists on a planet encounter a chest-burster, an egg, and a Xenomorph. The trailers and certain scenes raise intriguing questions about the Xenomorph’s origins and the sequence of events that led to its emergence.

Some viewers have suggested that Covenant might be a prequel to Aliens or a prequel to the prequel. However, Scott’s own career trajectory and the context in which he was working on Covenant play a significant role in shaping its narrative. The comparison to the Star Wars prequels highlights the thematic and stylistic similarities. As Scott moved away from the competition with George Lucas, who sparked the original Star Wars trilogy, the creative direction of Covenant might reflect a more personal project rather than a crafted story amid competition.

The Role of Ridley Scott

Ridley Scott, known for his meticulous attention to detail and storytelling, had a different creative environment when he directed Covenant. The lack of competition meant that Scott had to find a new creative impulse and motivation. His earlier work, like Alien (1979), was driven by the competitive challenge of creating something unique and influential in the wake of groundbreaking films like Star Wars and Knightriders.

In Covenant, Scott had to streamline and condense the narrative to maintain a clear story-arc while incorporating the dense and complex elements of the original screenplay. The challenge was to balance the campy, mash-up influences of Camp Crimson Terrors (1958) and Planet of the Vampires (1965) with the verisimilitude expected of an epic sci-fi tale.

The lack of competitive pressure may have led to a more self-indulgent project, but it also creates possibilities for fans to speculate on the direction and content. Scott’s upcoming film promises to delve deeper into the darker and more primal elements of the Alien universe, as evidenced by the teaser trailers and the thematic similarities to Aliens.

Conclusion

While Covenant is a direct sequel to Prometheus and not a prequel to Aliens, it remains a significant entry in the Alien franchise. Fans and critics alike will be eager to see how the narrative unfolds and how it fits into the broader timeline of the Alien saga. The release of Covenant on May 19, 2017, marks an exciting chapter for the Alien franchise and invites viewers to explore the mysteries of outer space and the origins of one of the most fearsome creatures in popular culture.