Ever wonder how the iconic, gritty look of ‘Alien’ was born? The visionary behind it all, Oscar winner Roger Christian, shares his secrets and how he brought that classic vibe to the new series, ‘Alien: Earth.’ Get ready to revisit that chilling universe. Are you prepared to dive back into the terror?
Academy Award-winning artist Roger Christian, renowned for shaping the “lived-in” universes of both George Lucas’s “Star Wars” and Ridley Scott’s “Alien,” stands as a pivotal figure in cinematic history. His groundbreaking work in set dressing and prop creation extends far beyond merely building iconic elements like R2-D2 or the Millennium Falcon interior, defining an entire aesthetic that continues to influence filmmaking today. Christian’s visionary approach established a gritty realism that grounded fantastical narratives in tangible, worn-out environments.
In late 1977, fresh from his seminal contributions to launching the “Star Wars” galaxy, Christian collaborated with Ridley Scott as his primary art director for the sci-fi horror masterpiece, “Alien.” Their shared vision aimed to further a rusting, leaking, and steaming aesthetic, crafting a palpable sense of dread through meticulously detailed environments. This collaboration was lauded by Lucasfilm editor J.W. Rinzler as one of “the greatest back-to-back Hollywood design accomplishments ever,” underscoring the profound impact of Christian’s unique artistic sensibilities.
Facing significant budget constraints during “Alien’s” production, Christian’s ingenuity shone through. He famously scoured British junkyards, repurposing scrap aviation parts, old jet engines, PVC piping, and sewer drain pipes to create his distinctive set artistry. This innovative, resourceful approach not only saved costs but also endowed the film with an unparalleled texture and authenticity, making the USCSS Nostromo feel like a genuinely dilapidated space-faring vessel rather than a pristine, futuristic set.
Today, this legacy of the “worn-out” look is meticulously carried forward in Noah Hawley’s “Alien: Earth,” now streaming on FX/Hulu. Christian expresses genuine enthusiasm for the new series, noting that the visuals and imagery closely mirror his original designs. “I’m seeing the pictures and images of it and it looks like our original ‘Alien’,” he remarks, highlighting how the creators have successfully captured the essence of his initial vision, much to his satisfaction.
Christian recalls his deep involvement in crafting the Nostromo’s interior, working alongside Scott to achieve a pervasive sense of claustrophobia. Recruiting prop makers he had trained for “Star Wars,” his team constructed the intricate, layered sets. “If ever there’s a movie where I got everything right, it was ‘Alien'”, Christian admits, explaining how they aged down the sets, applying oil stains and “greeblies” to fulfill Scott’s desire for a “space truck” feel—a design philosophy now plainly mimicked in “Alien: Earth.”
Beyond its visual mastery, the “Alien” franchise endures due to its profound mythological underpinnings, a quality Christian readily acknowledges. He suggests that while most horror films tap into specific phobias, “Alien” delved into a “big one,” establishing a world that resonated deeply with audiences. This shared experience of fear, akin to ancient campfire stories, connects to innate human instincts, making the terror universal and timeless.
Christian posits that “Alien” transcends mere horror to become a mythic narrative, much like “Star Wars,” designed to penetrate the subconscious. Its ability to create a communal, visceral experience of fear, combined with its groundbreaking aesthetic, allowed it to cross the barrier into mainstream cinema. As “Alien: Earth” revitalizes interest in this iconic property, Christian’s original vision continues to inspire, promising a resurgence of that beloved, used-future aesthetic and the terrifying, mythic quality that defines the franchise.
