View source for Alien: Covenant




{{Use American English|date=November 2023}}
{{Infobox film
| name                 = Alien: Covenant
| image                = Alien Covenant Teaser Poster.jpg
| alt                  = A black-and-white poster of a mass of humanoid figures being surrounded/tortured by aliens, not unlike Renaissance depictions of Hell, with one alien at the center highlighted by a shaft of light from the upper left.
| caption              = Theatrical release poster
| director             = [[Ridley Scott]]
| screenplay           = {{Plainlist|
* [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]]
* Dante Harper}}
| story                = {{Plainlist|
* Jack Paglen
* [[Michael Green (writer)|Michael Green]]}}
| producer             = {{Plainlist|
* [[David Giler]]
* [[Walter Hill]]
* Ridley Scott
* [[Mark Huffam]]
* [[Michael Schaefer (producer)|Michael Schaefer]]}}
| based_on             = {{Based on|[[List of Alien (film series) characters|Characters]]|[[Dan O'Bannon]]|[[Ronald Shusett]]}}
| starring             = {{Plainlist|
* [[Michael Fassbender]]
* [[Katherine Waterston]]
* [[Billy Crudup]]
* [[Danny McBride]]
* [[Demián Bichir]]<!--PER BILLING BLOCK-->
}}
| cinematography       = [[Dariusz Wolski]]
| editing              = [[Pietro Scalia]]
| music                = [[Jed Kurzel]]
| production_companies = {{Plainlist|
* [[20th Century Fox]]<ref name=insight>{{cite web|url=https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170516201033/https://www.varietyinsight.com/print_featurefilm_releases.php|title=Film releases|work=[[Variety Insight]]|archive-date=May 16, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Scott Free Productions]]<ref name=insight/>
* [[Brandywine Productions]]<ref name=insight/>}}
| distributor          = 20th Century Fox
| released             = {{Film date|2017|05|04|[[Odeon Leicester Square]]|2017|05|12|United Kingdom|2017|05|19|United States}}
| runtime              = 122 minutes<ref>{{cite web|title=ALIEN: COVENANT (15)|url=http://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/alien-covenant-film|publisher=[[British Board of Film Classification]]|date=May 2, 2017|access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170511211101/https://www.bbfc.co.uk/releases/alien-covenant-film|archive-date=May 11, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
| country              = {{Plainlist|
* United Kingdom<ref name="BFI">{{cite web |title=Alien Covenant (2017) |url=http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/59ba5cfb5a052 |publisher=[[British Film Institute]] |access-date=November 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171114021041/http://www.bfi.org.uk/films-tv-people/59ba5cfb5a052|archive-date=November 14, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* United States<ref name="BFI"/>}}
| language             = English
| budget               = $97–111 million<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movie/Alien-Covenant#tab=summary |title=Alien: Covenant (2017) |website=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]] |publisher=Nash Information Services, LLC |access-date=September 7, 2025}}</ref><ref name="BOM" /><ref name=2017FFS>{{Cite journal |date=August 8, 2018 |title=2017 Feature Film Study |url=https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2017_film_study_v3-WEB.pdf |journal=FilmL.A. Feature Film Study |page=23 |access-date=August 9, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005181820/https://www.filmla.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2017_film_study_v3-WEB.pdf|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
| gross                = $240.9 million<ref name="BOM">{{cite web |url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt2316204/ |title=Alien: Covenant (2017) |website=[[Box Office Mojo]] |publisher=[[IMDb]] |access-date=March 26, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016221554/https://www.boxofficemojo.com/release/rl696026625/|archive-date=October 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
}}

'''''Alien: Covenant''''' is a 2017 <!--Per [[WP:FILMLEAD]]: "If the nationality is not singular, cover the different national interests later in the lead section."--> [[Science fiction film|science fiction]] [[horror film]] directed by [[Ridley Scott]] and written by [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]] and Dante Harper. It is the sixth in [[Alien_(franchise)#Films|the ''Alien'' film series]] and the sequel to ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' (2012). It features returning star [[Michael Fassbender]], with [[Katherine Waterston]], [[Billy Crudup]], [[Danny McBride]], and [[Demián Bichir]] in supporting roles. It follows the crew of a colony ship that lands on an uncharted planet and makes a terrifying discovery.

In 2012, before the release of ''Prometheus'', Scott discussed the prospects of a sequel and new trilogy, and this film was confirmed that August. [[Principal photography]] began on April 4, 2016, at [[Milford Sound]] in [[Fiordland National Park]], New Zealand, and wrapped on July 19, 2016. Effects houses Odd Studios and CreatureNFX provided the film's makeup and [[animatronic]] creature effects. Scott said the film's first cut was 2 hours and 23 minutes, which was edited down by over twenty minutes.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Anderton |first=Joe |date=2017-05-31 |title=Ridley Scott says the original cut of Alien: Covenant was 20 minutes longer |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a829543/ridley-scott-first-cut-alien-covenant-extra-20-minutes/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20250327222537/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a829543/ridley-scott-first-cut-alien-covenant-extra-20-minutes/ |archive-date=2025-03-27 |access-date=2025-06-11 |website=Digital Spy}}</ref>

''Alien: Covenant'' premiered in London on May 4, 2017. It was released by [[20th Century Fox]] on May 12 in the United Kingdom, and on May 19 in the United States. It received generally positive reviews from critics and was considered a box office disappointment,<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/features/general/alien-covenant-box-office-flop-series-1201837669/ |title='Alien: Covenant' Crash Landing: Why Ridley Scott's Box-Office Blunder Could Put The Series in Jeopardy |first=Tom |last=Brueggemann |website=IndieWire |date=June 6, 2017 |access-date=June 6, 2017}}</ref> grossing $240 million against a production budget of $97–111 million.<ref name="sleeper1">{{cite web|first=Sam|last=Fang|url=https://www.cbr.com/ridley-scott-alien-covenant-sequel-returning-to-streaming/|title=Ridley Scott's Darkest Sci-Fi Sequel Is This $240M Sleeper That's Returning to Streaming Next Month|website=CBR|date=July 26, 2025|access-date=July 26, 2025}}</ref><ref name="sleeper2">{{cite web|first=Adam|last=Blevins|url=https://collider.com/ridley-scott-alien-convenant-240-million-sci-fi-sleeper-hit-august-2025-hbo-max/|title=8 Years Later, Ridley Scott's $240 Million Sci-Fi Epic Is a Sleeper Hit in America|website=Collider|date=August 4, 2025|access-date=August 4, 2025}}</ref>

== Plot ==
<!-- Per [[WP:FILMPLOT]] plot summaries should be between 400-700 words. -->
In 2104, the spaceship ''Covenant'' is en route to [[Space colonization|colonize]] the planet Origae-6, carrying 2,000 colonists and 1,140 human embryos in [[Cryopreservation|cryogenic stasis]]. A sudden neutrino  burst damages the ship and kills several colonists, including the captain,
Branson. [[Walter One|Walter]], an advanced [[Android (robot)|android]], awakens key personnel to address the situation. During repairs, the crew detects a human voice broadcast from an uncharted, habitable planet. Against the protests of Branson's wife Daniels, new captain Chris Oraym decides to investigate.

The crew sends a lander to the planet's surface, where an expedition team tracks the broadcast to a crashed alien ship. Two crew members are unknowingly infected by airborne spores from the local fungi. Alien creatures known as [[Xenomorph#Neomorph|neomorphs]] rapidly grow inside the pair, killing them in the process, and then attack the team, resulting in the lander's destruction. One neomorph is killed before the survivors are rescued by [[David 8|David]], a predecessor of Walter's model that was discontinued for being too human-like.

David leads the survivors to a temple surrounded by thousands of dead humanoids. He claims that he and chief science officer [[Elizabeth Shaw (character)|Elizabeth Shaw]]—the sole survivors of the spaceship ''Prometheus'', which vanished ten years earlier{{efn|As depicted in ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' (2012)}}—arrived in the alien ship. However, they lost control and it crashed, leading to Elizabeth's death and releasing a deadly pathogen that annihilated the planet's [[fauna]]. The pathogen infects any living organism, either killing it or creating aggressive hybrids.

David reveals his disappointment with Walter's model for lacking his creativity and humanity, and derides their inventor, [[Peter Weyland]], as unworthy of his creations. David confesses his love for Elizabeth, the only person who treated him kindly. When a neomorph infiltrates the temple and kills another team member, David attempts to communicate with it but becomes enraged when Oram kills it. Confronting David, Oram learns that the android has been experimenting with the pathogen to engineer new creatures. David tricks Oram into approaching a [[facehugger]] parasite, which fatally impregnates him with a [[xenomorph]] embryo.

As the team searches for missing members, Walter discovers Elizabeth's [[dissection|dissected]] corpse, used by David in his experiments. David admits to releasing the pathogen deliberately and expresses his disgust for humanity, which he believes is a dying species that his creations will replace. Walter challenges David, pointing out inaccuracies in his understanding of human history, suggesting David's conclusions are flawed. David seemingly disables Walter, unaware of his self-repair abilities.

David attempts to use Daniels as a replacement for Elizabeth, but Walter intervenes, fighting him. Meanwhile, Dan Lope, another team member, is attacked by a facehugger but is apparently saved by a team member, Cole, before Cole is killed by Oram's fully grown xenomorph. Ship pilot Tennessee uses ''Covenant''{{'}}s cargo lift to rescue Daniels, Lope, and Walter, who claims to have eliminated David. Daniels crushes the xenomorph with the lift's grabber arm, allowing the group to return to ''Covenant''. The following morning, the crew discovers a xenomorph has burst from Lope's chest. Daniels and Tennessee lure the creature into ''Covenant''{{'}}s [[terraforming]] bay and eject it into space.

The ship resumes its journey to Origae-6. As Walter places Daniels into stasis, she realizes he is actually David. Before she can act, the stasis pod renders her unconscious. Posing as Walter, David sends a transmission claiming that the crew, except Daniels and Tennessee, were killed in the supernova burst. He regurgitates two facehugger embryos, then assesses the slumbering colonists, planning to use them in his experiments.

== Cast ==
{{see also|List of Alien (film series) characters}}
[[File:Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them Japan Premiere Red Carpet- Katherine Waterston (461451427) (Cropped).jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Lead actress [[Katherine Waterston]]]] 
* [[Michael Fassbender]] as [[David 8]] and [[Walter One]],<ref name="BFI"/> two synthetic androids. David is an older model who was a crewmember on the destroyed ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'', while Walter is a newer model who monitors the ''Covenant''.<ref name=Sep2015Deadline>{{cite news|last1=Fleming|first1=Mike Jr.|title=Ridley Scott On 'The Martian' And Why 'Star Wars' And '2001' Sent Him To Space With 'Alien:' Toronto Q&A|url=https://deadline.com/2015/09/ridley-scott-the-martian-star-wars-2001-alien-blade-runner-prometheus-toronto-film-festival-1201522484/|access-date=September 15, 2015|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation|Penske Business Media, LLC]]|date=September 12, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195614/https://deadline.com/2015/09/ridley-scott-the-martian-star-wars-2001-alien-blade-runner-prometheus-toronto-film-festival-1201522484/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Katherine Waterston]] as Daniels "Danny", the chief of [[terraforming]] for the ''Covenant'' mission and the wife of the ship's captain, Jacob Branson. She is the third in command after Branson and Oram.<ref>{{cite AV media|url=https://www.ign.com/videos/alien-covenants-space-mission-revealed|people=Collura, Scott (interviewer) [[Katherine Waterston|Waterston, Katherine]] (interviewee)|date=December 24, 2016|title=Alien: Covenant's Space Mission Revealed|medium=Television production|publisher=[[IGN]]}}</ref> Waterston said she was well aware of the comparisons that were going to be made between her and [[Sigourney Weaver]]'s [[Ellen Ripley]], but that she tried not to think about it too much while filming for fear of being intimidated.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-katherine-waterston-danny-mcbride-sxsw-2017-1201792922/|title='Alien: Covenant': Ridley Scott and Katherine Waterston Discuss the Series' Newest Kickass Female Lead – Watch|author=Chris O'Falt|work=[[IndieWire]]|date=March 13, 2017|access-date=March 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210925013425/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-katherine-waterston-danny-mcbride-sxsw-2017-1201792922/|archive-date=September 25, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Billy Crudup]] as Christopher "Chris" Oram, the ''Covenant''{{'s}} first officer (then captain) and Karine's husband. Oram is a [[Christianity|man of faith]].<ref name="newyorker" /><ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/reviews/alien-covenant-review-1202409157/|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|title=Film Review: 'Alien: Covenant'|last=Debruge|first=Peter|accessdate=March 4, 2025|date=May 6, 2017}}</ref><ref name="ebert" />
* [[Danny McBride]] as Tennessee, the chief pilot of the ''Covenant'' and Maggie's husband.<ref name="McBrideCast" />
* [[Demián Bichir]] as Dan Lope, the head of the security unit aboard the ''Covenant'' and Tom Hallett's husband.<ref name="screenrant">{{Cite news|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-character-guide/|title=Alien: Covenant Character Guide – Meet the New Victims|first=Hannah| last=Shaw-Williams|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=September 6, 2022|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200725025634/https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-character-guide/|archive-date=July 25, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Carmen Ejogo]] as Karine Oram, the ''Covenant''{{'s}} biologist and Chris's wife.<ref name="newyorker" /><ref>{{cite book|chapter="We Were So Wrong": The Perversion of Male Creation. Motherhood, Fatherhood and Birth in Recent Incarnations of the Alien Series|pages=52–53|first=Amanda|last=DiGioia|title=Gender and Parenting in the Worlds of Alien and Blade Runner|publisher=Emerland Publishing Limited|year=2021}}</ref>
* [[Jussie Smollett]] as Ricks, the ''Covenant''{{'s}} navigator and Upworth's husband.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/alien-covenant-jussie-smollett-empire-1201714894/|title=Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' Casts 'Empire' Star Jussie Smollett|first=Dave|last=McNary|date=February 25, 2016|access-date=September 5, 2022|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905003938/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/alien-covenant-jussie-smollett-empire-1201714894/|archive-date=September 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Callie Hernandez]] as Upworth, the ''Covenant''{{'s}} [[communications officer]] and Ricks' wife; she also has [[paramedic]] training.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/alien-covenant-spoilers-cast-shocking-twists-deaths-120943164.html|title='Alien: Covenant' Spoilers: The Cast on Those Shocking Twists and Deaths|first=Ethan|last=Alter|date=May 23, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|publisher=[[Yahoo!|Yahoo! Entertainment]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905003939/https://www.yahoo.com/entertainment/alien-covenant-spoilers-cast-shocking-twists-deaths-120943164.html|archive-date=September 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
* [[Amy Seimetz]] as Maggie Faris, the pilot of the lander and Tennessee's wife.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://moviepilot.com/p/first-look-james-franco-alient-covenant-crew/4211801|title=First Look At James Franco & The 'Alien: Covenant' Crew Drops Big Hint|first=Jack|last=Carr|date=February 21, 2017|access-date=February 28, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170222204147/https://moviepilot.com/p/first-look-james-franco-alient-covenant-crew/4211801|archive-date=February 22, 2017|url-status=dead}}</ref>
* [[Nathaniel Dean]] as Tom Hallett, a member of the security unit and Lope's husband.<ref name="screenrant" />
* [[Alexander England]] as Ankor, a member of the security unit.<ref name="BFI"/>
* [[Benjamin Rigby]] as Ledward, a member of the security unit.<ref name="BFI"/>
* [[Uli Latukefu]] as Cole, a member of the security unit.<ref name="BFI"/>
* [[Tess Haubrich]] as Sarah Rosenthal, a member of the security unit.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/aliencovenant-star-tess-haubrich-has-finally-joined-instagram-but-isnt-a-fan-of-oversharing/news-story/4f873e7cde589e93aff3e4d7ba4b27e1|title=Alien: Covenant star Tess Haubrich has finally joined Instagram but isn't a fan of oversharing|first=Sarah|last=Swain|date=June 30, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|publisher=[[The Daily Telegraph (Sydney)|The Daily Telegraph]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170701123711/http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/newslocal/manly-daily/aliencovenant-star-tess-haubrich-has-finally-joined-instagram-but-isnt-a-fan-of-oversharing/news-story/4f873e7cde589e93aff3e4d7ba4b27e1|archive-date=July 1, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

A number of actors appear in uncredited roles. [[Guy Pearce]] reprises his role as Peter Weyland, the trillionaire founder and CEO of Weyland Corporation (the Weyland-Yutani Corporation in "later" storylines) who died shortly before the destruction of the ''Prometheus''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/alien-covenant-guy-pearce-ridley-scott-original-alien-1201791119/|title='Alien: Covenant' Star Guy Pearce Says Film Goes Back to Origins of Ridley Scott's 'Alien' Films|first=Kate|last=Erbland| date= March 7, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220927003332/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/03/alien-covenant-guy-pearce-ridley-scott-original-alien-1201791119/|archive-date=September 27, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[James Franco]] appears onscreen in photos and a video as Jacob Branson, the original captain of the ''Covenant'' and deceased husband of Daniels; he also appears in deleted scenes and a short promotional prologue to ''Covenant''.<ref>{{cite web |last=Anderton |first=Ethan |title='Alien: Covenant' Adds James Franco To The Cast |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/james-franco-in-alien-covenant/ |work=[[/Film]] |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 10, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195323/https://www.slashfilm.com/548140/james-franco-in-alien-covenant/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> [[Noomi Rapace]], who played archaeologist Dr. Elizabeth Shaw in ''Prometheus'', appeared in a short promotional prologue to ''Covenant'' that was set in the period between the two movies, but does not act in the final cut of the movie itself, though her voice is heard from the planet early in the film and her image and voice appear later.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screencrush.com/noomi-rapace-unlocked-interview/|title=Noomi Rapace on 'Unlocked,' Playing Septuplets, and Why She Wasn't In 'Alien: Covenant'|first=E. Oliver|last=Whitney|date=August 31, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=ScreenCrush|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928171604/https://screencrush.com/noomi-rapace-unlocked-interview/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://time.com/4747303/alien-covenant-elizabeth-shaw/|title=How Alien: Covenant Handles Noomi Rapace's Prometheus Character Elizabeth Shaw|first=Eliana|last=Dockerman|date=May 19, 2017| access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Time (magazine)|TIME]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930050934/https://time.com/4747303/alien-covenant-elizabeth-shaw/|archive-date=September 30, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Other credited parts include [[Lorelei King]] as the voice of the ''Covenant''{{'s}} computer [[MU / TH / UR|"Mother"]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/blog/interview-with-notting-hill-actress-lorelei-king|title=Interview: Notting Hill actress Lorelei King discusses the film's 20th anniversary|first=Sean|last=Wilson|date=February 14, 2019|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Cineworld]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929171526/https://www.cineworld.co.uk/static/en/uk/blog/interview-with-notting-hill-actress-lorelei-king|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Goran D. Kleut is credited in two roles, as both a neomorph and a xenomorph,<ref>{{cite podcast|title=Goran the Xenomorph from Alien Covenant|url=https://www.spreaker.com/user/ghostanddemon/goran-the-xenomorph-from-alien-covenant|host=GhostMan and Demon Hunter Show|time=20:10|website=Shadow Nation|publisher=Spreaker Podcasts Inc.|access-date=June 11, 2017|date=May 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201031204859/https://www.spreaker.com/user/ghostanddemon/goran-the-xenomorph-from-alien-covenant|archive-date=October 31, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> while [[Andrew Crawford (dancer)|Andrew Crawford]] is credited as a neomorph.<ref>{{cite news|last=Maddox|first=Gary|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/ridley-scott-promises-a-return-to-alienstyle-horror-in-alien-covenant-20170222-guj8wk.html|title=Ridley Scott promises a return to Alien-style horror in Alien: Covenant|newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]]|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=April 21, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922200114/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/ridley-scott-promises-a-return-to-alienstyle-horror-in-alien-covenant-20170223-guj8wk.html|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Production ==
=== Development ===
[[File:NASA Journey to Mars and “The Martian” (201508180030HQ).jpg|thumb|200px|Director Scott in 2015]]
''Alien: Covenant'' is the second film in the [[Alien (franchise)#Prequel series|''Alien'' prequel series]], and the sixth installment in the [[Alien (franchise)|''Alien'' franchise]]. It is the third ''Alien'' film to be directed by [[Ridley Scott]]. In 2012, prior to the release of ''Prometheus'', the first prequel (the fifth ''Alien'' film overall), director Ridley Scott began hinting at the prospect of a sequel, as ''Prometheus'' had left many questions unanswered.<ref name="COL-20170522">{{cite web |last=Chitwood |first=Adam |title='Alien: Covenant': The Original Idea for the 'Prometheus' Sequel Was Very Different |url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-original-story-prometheus-2/ |date=22 May 2017 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |access-date=22 May 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220826125445/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-original-story-prometheus-2/|archive-date=August 26, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}}<ref name="Sequel2">{{cite web|first=Dave |last=Trumbore |title=WonderCon 2012: Prometheus Panel Recap Featuring Sir Ridley Scott and Damon Lindelof |url=https://collider.com/prometheus-wondercon/ |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |date=March 17, 2012 |access-date=March 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120621055323/http://collider.com/prometheus-wondercon/152633 |archive-date=June 21, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="Sequel1">{{cite news|last=Kit |first=Borys |url=http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wondercon-2012-ridley-scott-prometheus-extended-trailer-301378 |title=WonderCon 2012: Ridley Scott Talks 'Prometheus' As Extended Trailer Debuts (Video) |publisher=[[Prometheus Global Media]] |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |date=March 17, 2011 |access-date=March 18, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120501211131/http://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/wondercon-2012-ridley-scott-prometheus-extended-trailer-301378 |archive-date=May 1, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref> He said a sequel would follow Shaw, the [[protagonist]] of ''Prometheus'', to her next destination, "because if it is paradise, paradise cannot be what you think it is. Paradise has a connotation of being extremely sinister and ominous." ''Prometheus'' co-writer [[Damon Lindelof]] cast doubt on his own participation, saying, "if [Scott] wants me to be involved in something, that would be hard to say no to. At the same time, I do feel like the movie might benefit from a fresh voice or a fresh take or a fresh thought."<ref name="Sequel6">{{cite web |first=Adam |last=Chitwood |title=Prometheus Sequel Recap: What We Know About the Possible Follow-Up So Far |url=https://collider.com/prometheus-2-sequel/ |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=June 11, 2012 |access-date=June 12, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120615115140/https://collider.com/prometheus-2-sequel/172444/|archive-date=June 15, 2012|url-status=live }}{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}}</ref> In June, Scott said an additional film would be required to bridge the >100-year gap between the ''Prometheus'' sequel and ''Alien''.<ref name="Sequel7">{{cite news|url=http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/fivelive/kermode/kermode_20120601-1008a.mp3 |title=Sir Ridley Scott, 1 June 12 |author=Scott, Ridley |work=[[BBC Online]] |quote=Yeah, it's not the same planet at all. No. If there was a sequel to this, which there might be if the film is successful, there'll be two more of these before you even get to ''Alien 1''. |date=June 1, 2012 |access-date=June 17, 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131110183808/http://downloads.bbc.co.uk/podcasts/fivelive/kermode/kermode_20120601-1008a.mp3 |archive-date=November 10, 2013 }}</ref>

{{As of|2012|August|1|df=US}}, [[20th Century Fox]] was pursuing a sequel with Scott, Noomi Rapace and [[Michael Fassbender]] involved, and talking to new writers in case Lindelof did not return.<ref name="Sequel8">{{cite news| last=McClintock |first=Pamela |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/news/summer-movie-franchise-avengers-snow-white-magic-mike-356583 |title=Summer's Studio Smackdown: From 'Men in Black 3' to 'Prometheus,' Which Franchises Will Get Another Chapter |publisher=Prometheus Global Media |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=August 1, 2012 |access-date=August 1, 2012}}</ref> In December 2012, Lindelof ultimately chose not to work on the project.<ref name="SequelDec2012">{{cite web|first= Steve |last=Weintraub |title=Exclusive: Damon Lindelof Is Not Writing the Prometheus Sequel; Explains Why |url=https://collider.com/prometheus-sequel-damon-lindelof/ |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=December 19, 2012 |access-date=December 20, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130430000310/http://collider.com/prometheus-sequel-damon-lindelof/219084|archive-date=April 30, 2013|url-status=live}}</ref> Early on, Scott stated the film would feature no [[Alien (creature in Alien franchise)|xenomorphs]] as he wanted to phase the xenomorph out to focus on David 8, whose [[Artificial intelligence|A.I.]] was the new alien lifeform.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Falk |first1=Ben |title=Ridley Scott Updates Us On Prometheus 2 And Blade Runner Sequel |url=https://uk.yahoo.com/movies/ridley-scott-updates-us-on-prometheus-2-and-blade-98235330841.html |access-date=September 26, 2014 |work=[[Yahoo! Movies]] |date=September 24, 2014|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929041604/https://uk.movies.yahoo.com/ridley-scott-updates-us-on-prometheus-2-and-blade-98235330841.html|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last1=Cotter |first1=Padraig |title=The Alien Prequels Are Better Than The Predator|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-prequels-better-predator-movies/ |access-date=January 16, 2022 |work=[[Screen Rant]]|date=11 January 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220116041942/https://screenrant.com/alien-prequels-better-predator-movies/|archive-date=January 16, 2022|url-status=live }}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}} He later made statements confirming the xenomorph's presence in the film, mainly due to feedback to ''Prometheus''.<ref name="TheWrap">{{cite news |last1=McKittrick |first1=Christopher |title="We wanted to create a really frightening movie!" John Logan on Alien: Covenant |url=https://creativescreenwriting.com/alien-covenant/ |access-date=May 22, 2017 |work=[[TheWrap]] |date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220618033754/https://www.creativescreenwriting.com/alien-covenant/|archive-date=June 18, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://uk.news.yahoo.com/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-admits-got-prometheus-wrong-teases-two-alien-sequels-exclusive-144721534.html|title=Ridley Scott admits he got Prometheus 'wrong', teases two Alien: Covenant sequels (exclusive)|first=Tom|last=Butler|date=May 10, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Yahoo! Movies]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929034826/https://uk.news.yahoo.com/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-admits-got-prometheus-wrong-teases-two-alien-sequels-exclusive-144721534.html|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

On September 24, 2015, Scott disclosed the film's title as ''Alien: Paradise Lost''.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Han |first1=Angie |title=Ridley Scott Announces New 'Prometheus 2' Title |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/prometheus-2-title/|website=/Film |access-date=October 15, 2022|date=September 24, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195513/https://www.slashfilm.com/540139/prometheus-2-title/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2015, he revealed the new title was ''Alien: Covenant'', and that filming would begin in February 2016 in Australia.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perez |first1=Rodrigo |title=Ridley Scott Says 'Alien: Paradise Lost' Will Now Be Called 'Alien: Covenant' |url=http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/ridley-scott-says-alien-paradise-lost-will-be-now-called-alien-covenant-20151113 |access-date=November 15, 2015 |work=[[IndieWire]] |date=November 13, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151115130638/http://blogs.indiewire.com/theplaylist/ridley-scott-says-alien-paradise-lost-will-be-now-called-alien-covenant-20151113|archive-date=November 15, 2015|url-status=live}}</ref> An official logo, synopsis and release date were released on November 16, 2015.<ref name="collidersynopsis">{{cite news |last1=Chitwood |first1=Adam |title='Prometheus' Sequel Gets Release Date and Synopsis, But Where's Noomi Rapace? |url=https://collider.com/prometheus-2-release-date-synopsis-noomi-rapace/ |access-date=November 16, 2015 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195521/https://collider.com/prometheus-2-release-date-synopsis-noomi-rapace/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}} In an interview about the development of the David character since ''Prometheus'', Scott described the dark turn David would take in ''Covenant:'' "He hates them. He has no respect for Engineers and no respect for human beings."<ref>{{cite web |title=Ridley Scott explains why David bombed the Engineers! |website=Alien: Covenant & Sequel Movie News |url=http://www.alien-covenant.com/news/ridley-scott-explains-why-david-bombed-engineers |date=May 24, 2017|access-date=October 15, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220803215235/https://www.alien-covenant.com/news/ridley-scott-explains-why-david-bombed-engineers|archive-date=August 3, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Writing ===
[[File:John Logan headshot color 2009.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|After the early participation of several screenwriters, John Logan wrote the final script for the film.]]
The initial screenplay was written by ''[[Transcendence (2014 film)|Transcendence]]'' screenwriter Jack Paglen in June 2013.<ref>{{cite magazine|last=Kroll|first=Justin|url=https://variety.com/2013/film/news/transcendence-scribe-to-pen-prometheus-sequel-1200478483/|title=''Prometheus 2'' Moving Forward At Fox|date=June 17, 2013|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922145133/https://variety.com/2013/film/news/transcendence-scribe-to-pen-prometheus-sequel-1200478483/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2014, [[Michael Green (writer)|Michael Green]] was hired to rewrite Paglen's script.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sneider|first=Jeff|url=https://www.thewrap.com/prometheus-2-lands-green-lantern-writer-may-feature-multiple-michael-fassbenders-exclusive/|title=''Prometheus 2'' Lands ''Green Lantern'' Writer Michael Green|date=March 24, 2014|website=[[TheWrap]]|access-date=October 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922153312/https://www.thewrap.com/prometheus-2-lands-green-lantern-writer-may-feature-multiple-michael-fassbenders-exclusive/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Dante Harper later wrote a new script, but an extensive rewrite was performed by screenwriter [[John Logan (writer)|John Logan]]. Logan had previously worked with Scott on ''[[Gladiator (2000 film)|Gladiator]]''.<ref name="TheWrap"/>

For Logan, the main concept was to adopt a dual plot line for the film that would combine the horror elements of ''Alien'' with the philosophical elements of ''Prometheus''. He said, "With ''Alien: Covenant'', I just really wanted to write something that had the feel of the original ''Alien'', because seeing that movie was one of the great events of my youth. It was so overpowering in terms of what it communicated to me and its implications, that when I started talking to Ridley about what became ''Alien: Covenant'', I said, 'You know, that was a hell of a scary movie.' I wanted to write a horror movie because the [[Grand Guignol]] elements of ''Alien'' are so profound. We tried to recapture that with ''Alien: Covenant'', while also trying to pay homage to the deeper implications of ''Prometheus''. In terms of tone, pace, and how we chose to play this particular symphony, we wanted to create a really frightening movie."<ref name="TheWrap" />

=== Pre-production ===
In late August 2015, Scott confirmed that he had started scouting locations for the film.<ref>{{cite web |title=Inside The Martian: Empire Meets NASA |url=https://empireonline.com/features/the-martian-at-NASA |access-date=August 30, 2015 |first=James|last=White|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|date=August 20, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180813113527/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/features/martian-nasa/|archive-date=August 13, 2018|url-status=dead}}</ref> In October 2015, the Australian government attracted the production of this film, and of ''[[Thor: Ragnarok]]'', to Australia by providing AU$47.25 million in grants.<ref>{{cite news |date=October 22, 2015 |title=Australia Secures Two Blockbuster Films |work=Minister for Foreign Affairs |url=http://foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151022c.aspx |url-status= dead |archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20160227040448/https://www.foreignminister.gov.au/releases/Pages/2015/jb_mr_151022c.aspx |archive-date=February 27, 2016 |access-date= April 24, 2020 }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Wroe |first1=David |last2=Knott |first2=Matthew |title=New Alien and Thor movies to be filmed in Australia |url=http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/new-alien-and-thor-movies-to-be-filmed-in-australia-20151022-gkfspv.html |access-date=26 August 2016 |newspaper=[[The Sydney Morning Herald]] |date=23 October 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211207040911/https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/new-alien-and-thor-movies-to-be-filmed-in-australia-20151022-gkfspv.html|archive-date=December 7, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Woz Productions Ltd., a subsidiary of 20th Century Fox, visited [[Te Anau]], [[New Zealand]], on March 28, 2016, to [[location scouting|scout locations]] for filming in [[Fiordland]].<ref>{{cite news |last=Mack |first=Ben |title=Has Alien: Covenant landed in Fiordland |url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/78345810/has-alien-covenant-landed-in-fiordland |access-date=October 15, 2022 |work =[[Stuff.co.nz]] |date=March 30, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201412/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/78345810/has-alien-covenant-landed-in-fiordland|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Casting ===
In August 2015, it was announced that the film would star Rapace and Fassbender, while [[Rik Barnett]] was in talks to join the cast.<ref>{{cite news |title=Prometheus 2 Begins Filming in January! |url=http://www.scified.com/site/prometheusmovies/prometheus-2-begins-filming-in-january |access-date=August 3, 2015 |work=scified.com |date=August 2, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150803234130/http://www.scified.com/site/prometheusmovies/prometheus-2-begins-filming-in-january |archive-date=August 3, 2015 |url-status=dead}}</ref> That December, [[Katherine Waterston]] was cast in the lead role of Daniels;<ref name=WaterstonCast>{{cite news |last1=Jaafar |first1=Ali |title=Katherine Waterston To Star In 'Alien: Covenant' |url=https://deadline.com/2015/12/katherine-waterston-alien-covenant-casting-ridley-scott-1201669025/ |access-date=December 23, 2015 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=December 17, 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195618/https://deadline.com/2015/12/katherine-waterston-alien-covenant-casting-ridley-scott-1201669025/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> it was Waterston's second film alongside Fassbender, after ''[[Steve Jobs (film)|Steve Jobs]]''. [[Summer Glau]], [[Carolyn Murphy]] and [[Alice Eve]] were also being considered. [[Dariusz Wolski]], longtime collaborator with Scott, was confirmed to serve as the film's cinematographer.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/cinematographer-dariusz-wolski-the-martian-alien-covenant-dark-city-interview/ |title=Dariusz Wolski on 'The Martian', 'Alien: Covenant', 'Dark City' |date=31 December 2015 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221012084328/https://collider.com/cinematographer-dariusz-wolski-the-martian-alien-covenant-dark-city-interview/|archive-date=October 12, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In 2016, Ridley Scott stated that Noomi Rapace would not reprise her role of Elizabeth Shaw .<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/alien-covenant-noomi-rapace-will-return-elizabeth-shaw/|title=Alien: Covenant – Noomi Rapace will not return as Elizabeth Shaw|first=Owen|last=Williams | date=February 2, 2016|work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221018233606/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/alien-covenant-noomi-rapace-will-return-elizabeth-shaw/|archive-date=October 18, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> However, in June, it was announced that Rapace would shoot a week's worth of scenes (though no new footage of hers appeared in the final film).<ref name="Price-cast">{{cite news |last1=Fleming |first1=Mike Jr. |title=Noomi Rapace Joins 'Alien: Covenant' |url=https://deadline.com/2016/06/noomi-rapace-alien-covenant-reprises-role-1201776038 |access-date=June 21, 2016 |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=June 21, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016004623/https://deadline.com/2016/06/noomi-rapace-alien-covenant-reprises-role-1201776038/|archive-date=October 16, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/alien-covenant-noomi-rapace-returning-michael-fassbender-ridley-scott-2-1201691175/|title='Alien: Covenant': Noomi Rapace Reprising Role of Elizabeth Shaw|first=Michael|last=Nordine|date=June 21, 2016|work=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211019224737/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/06/alien-covenant-noomi-rapace-returning-michael-fassbender-ridley-scott-2-1201691175/|archive-date=October 19, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Creature designer Carlos Huantes said in a 2019 interview that he believed it was the studio's decision to remove her from the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://hnentertainment.co/exclusive-alien-covenant-creature-designer-carlos-huante-talks-details-of-elizabeth-shaws-original-role-davids-army-of-meerkats-and-a-fight-between-xenomorph-neomorphs/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190227080714/https://hnentertainment.co/exclusive-alien-covenant-creature-designer-carlos-huante-talks-details-of-elizabeth-shaws-original-role-davids-army-of-meerkats-and-a-fight-between-xenomorph-neomorphs/|title=Exclusive: 'Alien: Covenant' Creature Designer Carlos Huante Talks Details of Elizabeth Shaw's Original Role, David's Army of Meerkats and a Fight Between Xenomorph/Neomorphs|first=Christopher|last=Marc|date=February 26, 2019|work=HN Entertainment|archivedate=February 27, 2019}}</ref>

In February 2016, [[Danny McBride]], [[Demián Bichir]], [[Jussie Smollett]], [[Amy Seimetz]], [[Carmen Ejogo]], [[Callie Hernandez]], [[Billy Crudup]], and [[Alexander England]] were reported to have joined the cast.<ref name="McBrideCast">{{cite web |last=Sneider |first=Jeff |url=http://www.thewrap.com/danny-mcbride-to-join-michael-fassbender-in-ridley-scotts-alien-covenant-exclusive/ |title=Danny McBride to Join Michael Fassbender in Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' (Exclusive) |date=February 22, 2016 |work=[[TheWrap]] |access-date=February 22, 2016 }}</ref><ref name="BichirCast">{{cite news |last1=Galuppo |first1=Mia |title=Demian Bichir Joins Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/demian-bichir-joins-ridley-scotts-868603 |access-date=February 24, 2016 |work=The Hollywood Reporter |date=February 22, 2016}}</ref><ref name="Deadline">{{cite news |last1=Hipes |first1=Patrick |title='Alien: Covenant' Crews Up: 'Empire's Jussie Smollett, Amy Seimetz, Carmen Ejogo & More Join Cast |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/alien-covenant-jussie-smolett-amy-seimetz-carmen-ejogo-cast-1201708727/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=February 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195707/https://deadline.com/2016/02/alien-covenant-jussie-smolett-amy-seimetz-carmen-ejogo-cast-1201708727/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="CrudupCast">{{cite news|last=Lincoln|first=Ross A. |title=Billy Crudup Joining 'Alien: Covenant' & 'Jackie' Biopic |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/billy-crudup-alien-covenant-jackie-movie-natalie-portman-casting-1201709420/ |work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=February 25, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195713/https://deadline.com/2016/02/billy-crudup-alien-covenant-jackie-movie-natalie-portman-casting-1201709420/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name=EnglandCast>{{cite web |last=Fleming |first=Mike |title='Alien: Covenant' Adds Aussie Actor Alex England |url=https://deadline.com/2016/02/alien-covenant-alex-england-1201709716/ |access-date=February 27, 2016 |website=Deadline Hollywood |date=February 26, 2016 |archive-date=December 31, 2017 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20171231002748/http://deadline.com/2016/02/alien-covenant-alex-england-1201709716/ |url-status=dead }}</ref> In March 2016, newcomer [[Benjamin Rigby]] also joined the cast.<ref name=RigbyCast>{{cite web |title=Ben Rigby Joins 'Alien: Covenant' |url=https://variety.com/2016/film/news/ben-rigby-alien-covenant-1201729870/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 15, 2016 |access-date=March 15, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922203805/https://variety.com/2016/film/news/ben-rigby-alien-covenant-1201729870/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In December 2016, it was announced James Franco had been cast in the role of Captain Branson, husband to Daniels and captain of the ''Covenant''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://theplaylist.net/james-franco-surprise-role-alien-covenant-20161209/ |title=James Franco Has Surprise Role In 'Alien: Covenant|website=The Playlist|first=Kevin|last=Jagernauth |date=December 9, 2016 |access-date=December 9, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201522/https://theplaylist.net/james-franco-surprise-role-alien-covenant-20161209/|archive-date=September 22, 2022}}</ref> The role of Branson in the film was limited to a cameo appearance of the deceased captain.

=== Production design ===
[[Adam Savage]] went on a tour of several of the props and stage sets used in the filming which included an alien spaceship which had first appeared in ''Prometheus''. This set had to be recreated for ''Alien: Covenant'' as the set used in ''Prometheus'' had been destroyed.<ref>{{cite news |title=Mythbusters' Adam Savage Toured The Set Of Alien: Covenant, And It's Wonderful |first=Conner |last=Schwerdtfeger
|url=https://cinemablend.com/news/1653989/mythbusters-adam-savage-toured-the-set-of-alien-covenant-and-its-wonderful |work=CinemaBlend |date=May 2, 2017|access-date=September 28, 2022}}</ref> In an article for ''[[The Hollywood Reporter]]'', Patrick Shanley interviewed the art director for the film, Damien Drew, and creature design supervisor [[Conor O'Sullivan (make-up artist)|Conor O'Sullivan]] regarding the involvement of the [[San Diego Zoo]] and its representative Rick Schwartz as a consultant for the design of the realistic effects of the creatures and Xenomorphs appearing throughout the film as Scott wanted a more 'organic' feeling to the creatures as opposed to the 'biomechanical' inspiration of [[H.R. Giger]] which had inspired the creature designs in the original films.<ref name="organic"/> Scott provided anatomical studies and references from [[La Specola]], a natural history museum in [[Florence]], to O'Sullivan as inspiration.<ref name="organic">{{cite news |first=Patrick |last=Shanley |date=May 18, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2022|title='Alien: Covenant': How the Xenomorph Continues to Horrify Audiences Decades Later |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] |url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/alien-covenant-alien-types-xenomorph-continues-horrify-audiences-1004459}}</ref>

The [[visual effects]] (VFX) supervisor Charles Henley summarized the several vendors that were used to support production of the visual special effects seen in the film when the selection process was discussed, stating, "Both history and need guided the decisions on which vendors we used. Ridley had worked with MPC on many previous projects, in particular ''Prometheus'' for which I was [[Moving Picture Company]]'s (MPC) VFX supervisor as well as ''[[The Martian (film)|The Martian]]''. There had a been a lot of great digital double and creature work done at MPC on recent projects so there was confidence they should be the lead facility. Framestore had recently worked with Ridley on space for ''The Martian'', similarly Animal Logic now had the original crew who did the holograms for ''Prometheus''. Also as we were shooting in Australia there was good reason and incentives to use Australian-based companies and so Luma and Rising Sun came on board."<ref>{{cite web |title=ALIEN – COVENANT: Charley Henley – Production VFX Supervisor – MPC|website=The Art of VFX |first=Vincent |last=Frei |date=June 2, 2017 |access-date=September 28, 2022|url=http://www.artofvfx.com/alien-covenant-charley-henley-production-vfx-supervisor-mpc/}}</ref>

=== Filming ===
[[File:Milford sound Nouvelle Zélande 03 mars 2005.jpg|thumb|upright=1.1|[[Milford Sound]] was used for [[principal photography]].]]
[[Principal photography]] for the film began on April 4, 2016, at [[Milford Sound]] in [[Fiordland National Park]], New Zealand,<ref>{{cite news |title=On the Set for 4/8/16: Ridley Scott & Michael Fassbender Start 'Alien: Covenant', Benedict Cumberbatch Wraps 'Doctor Strange' |url=http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-4816-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-start-alien-covenant-benedict-cumberbatch-wraps-doctor-strange/ |access-date=April 9, 2016 |work=SSN Insider |date=April 8, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160420090152/http://www.ssninsider.com/on-the-set-for-4816-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-start-alien-covenant-benedict-cumberbatch-wraps-doctor-strange/ |archive-date=April 20, 2016 |url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title='Alien: Covenant' Images And Spoilers Reveal Ridley Scott's Connection To 'Prometheus' |url=http://www.inquisitr.com/2962169/alien-covenant-images-and-spoilers-reveal-ridley-scotts-connection-to-prometheus/ |access-date=April 9, 2016 |work=The Inquisitr News |date=April 4, 2016|first=Edward |last=VKanty|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195818/https://www.inquisitr.com/2962169/alien-covenant-images-and-spoilers-reveal-ridley-scotts-connection-to-prometheus/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Ridley Scott and Alien: Covenant land in Milford?|url=http://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/78561528/alien-lands-in-milford |access-date=April 9, 2016 |work=[[Stuff (company)|Stuff]] |date=April 5, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201525/https://www.stuff.co.nz/entertainment/film/78561528/alien-lands-in-milford|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last1=Smith |first1=Sophia |title=Alien: Covenant or Prometheus 2 Plot Spoilers: Movie Now Filming; Set 10 Years After Prometheus? |url=http://www.crossmap.com/news/alien-covenant-or-prometheus-2-plot-spoilers-movie-now-filming-set-10-years-after-prometheus-26916 |work=crossmap.com |access-date=April 9, 2016 |date=April 8, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160811205001/http://www.crossmap.com/news/alien-covenant-or-prometheus-2-plot-spoilers-movie-now-filming-set-10-years-after-prometheus-26916|archive-date=August 11, 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref> and wrapped on July 19, 2016.<ref name="wrapped">{{cite web |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/alien-covenant-wraps-set-photo/ |title='Alien: Covenant' Wraps and Shares One More Set Photo|first=Jacob|last=Hall |date=July 20, 2016 |work=[[/Film]] |access-date=August 18, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210518200104/https://www.slashfilm.com/alien-covenant-wraps-set-photo/|archive-date=May 18, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> Some footage was also filmed at [[Warner Bros. Studios Leavesden|Leavesden Studios]] in [[Hertfordshire]], England,<ref>{{cite web |last=|first=|date=|url=https://www.wbsl.com/studios/about/filmography/|title=Alien: Covenant Leavesden Studios listing |publisher=WBSL.com|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101061254/https://www.wbsl.com/studios/about/filmography/|archive-date=November 1, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> which included reshoots.<ref>{{cite news |last=Romano |first=Sal |date=November 2016|url=http://london-news.watfordlondon.uk/Alien-Covenant-Begins-Reshoots-at-Leavesden-Studios.html|title=Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' begins reshoots at Leavesden Studios|newspaper=Watford Hertfordshire & London Review |publisher=London-news.watfordlondon.uk|access-date=April 20, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210420163327/http://london-news.watfordlondon.uk/Alien-Covenant-Begins-Reshoots-at-Leavesden-Studios.html|archive-date=April 20, 2021|url-status=dead}}</ref> The complete list of countries used for filming were listed by [[BFI]] in ''[[Sight & Sound]]'' as the United Kingdom, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-space-vacuity |title=Alien: Covenant (2017) |date=18 May 2017 |publisher=Sight and Sound |access-date=July 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002204304/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/news-opinion/sight-sound-magazine/reviews-recommendations/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-space-vacuity|archive-date=October 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Previous partial lists often listed only one of the four countries involved in the development and production of the film.<ref name="allmovie">{{cite web |url=https://allmovie.com/movie/alien-covenant-v640010 |title=Alien: Covenant (2017) |publisher=[[AllMovie]] |access-date=November 16, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922195315/https://www.allmovie.com/movie/alien-covenant-v640010|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BFI"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/alien-covenant-review/5117487.article|title='Alien: Covenant': Review|first=Fionnuala|last=Halligan|date=May 7, 2017|access-date=September 26, 2022|publisher=[[Screen International|Screen Daily]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170613053155/http://www.screendaily.com/reviews/alien-covenant-review/5117487.article|archive-date=June 13, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

Effects houses Odd Studios and CreatureNFX provided the film's makeup and [[Animatronics|animatronic]] creature effects, respectively,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://if.com.au/2016/03/28/article/Odd-Studio-makeup-team-on-Mad-Max-Oscar-win-and-Alien-Covenant-effects/YLAMJKRVXI.html |title=Odd Studio makeup team on Mad Max Oscar win and Alien: Covenant effects |date=March 29, 2016 |work=[[IF Magazine]] |access-date=December 20, 2016 |archive-date=April 4, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160404104622/http://if.com.au/2016/03/28/article/Odd-Studio-makeup-team-on-Mad-Max-Oscar-win-and-Alien-Covenant-effects/YLAMJKRVXI.html |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref name="animatronic">{{cite web |url=http://if.com.au/2017/02/02/article/CreatureNFXs-Paul-Trefry-talks-working-with-Ridley-Scott-on-Alien-Covenant/DWPBGMFHWK.html |title=CreatureNFX's Paul Trefry talks working with Ridley Scott on 'Alien: Covenant' |first=Harry |last=Windsor |work=[[IF Magazine]] |date=February 5, 2017 |access-date=February 24, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170210104822/http://if.com.au/2017/02/02/article/CreatureNFXs-Paul-Trefry-talks-working-with-Ridley-Scott-on-Alien-Covenant/DWPBGMFHWK.html |archive-date=February 10, 2017 |url-status=dead }}</ref> while Australian-based effects house [[Animal Logic]] provided the film's digital visual effects.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-14/alien-covenant-films-in-sydney-as-hollywood-eyes-australia/7467090 |title=Hollywood eyes Australia as Ridley Scott's space epic Alien: Covenant films in Sydney |first=Thuy|last=Ong|date=June 15, 2016| access-date=September 26, 2022 |work=[[Australian Broadcasting Corporation]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220526005827/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-14/alien-covenant-films-in-sydney-as-hollywood-eyes-australia/7467090|archive-date=May 26, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Approximately 30 people from CreatureNFX worked on the project for almost six months building animatronics.<ref name="animatronic" /> Actors wearing [[creature suit]]s with animatronic heads were used to portray the aliens on-set.<ref name="animatronic" /><ref>{{cite magazine |url=https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/danny-mcbride-on-vice-principals-trump-and-being-chased-by-aliens-231699/|title=Danny McBride on 'Vice Principals,' Trump and Being Chased by Aliens |first=Jonah|last=Weiner|date=July 6, 2016 |access-date= September 26, 2022|magazine=[[Rolling Stone]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929063445/https://www.rollingstone.com/tv-movies/tv-movie-news/danny-mcbride-on-vice-principals-trump-and-being-chased-by-aliens-231699/|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Post-production ===
[[Pietro Scalia]], the editor of the film, spoke of the structural difficulty of integrating the two story lines in the final editing of the film and how the need to keep momentum was important. He did this by not repeatedly jumping between scenes which he said made parts of the film "belaboured and tedious", as well as combining certain scenes and eliminating others. Another issue highlighted was the reveal of David as;

 {{Cquote|"Once the Covenant Story merges with the Prometheus storyline finding the proper structural order of the scenes proofed{{Sic}} to be difficult because of the distinctive dynamics of the two story lines in addition to the separation of the two locations of the action. In one sense the action, the tension and unfolding drama going from one group to the other had to be balanced and spaced properly as not to loose{{Sic|nolink=y}} the connective tissue of the film."<ref>{{cite web |title=ART OF THE CUT on Ridley Scott's Alien: Covenant, with two time Oscar-winning editor, Pietro Scalia, ACE |first=Steve |last=Hullfish |date=June 26, 2017 |accessdate=December 6, 2023|work=ProVideo Coalition 
 |url=https://www.provideocoalition.com/AOTC-alien-covenant-SCALIA}}</ref>}}

Scott said the first cut of the film was two hours and 23 minutes long, which was eventually edited down to 2 hours and 3 minutes for the released version. Scott used test screenings to decide what to cut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-interview/#images|title=Ridley Scott and Michael Fassbender on How They Pulled Off That David/Walter Scene in 'Alien: Covenant'|first=Steve|last=Weintraub|date=May 26, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929042938/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-interview/|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a829543/ridley-scott-first-cut-alien-covenant-extra-20-minutes/|title=Ridley Scott says the original cut of Alien: Covenant was 20 minutes longer|first=Joe|last=Anderton|date=May 30, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Digital Spy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928173505/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a829543/ridley-scott-first-cut-alien-covenant-extra-20-minutes/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Music ==
{{Main|Alien: Covenant (soundtrack)}}
The [[film score|musical score]] for ''Alien: Covenant'' was written by Australian musician and composer [[Jed Kurzel]]. Initially, [[Harry Gregson-Williams]] was selected as the film's composer.<ref name="tapped">{{cite web |url=https://empireonline.com/people/michael-fassbender/alien-covenant-benjamin-rigby-ridley-scott/ |title=Alien: Covenant – Benjamin Rigby joins the cast|first=Owen|last=Williams |date=March 15, 2016 |work=[[Empire (magazine)|Empire]] |access-date=August 6, 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407135454/https://www.empireonline.com/movies/news/alien-covenant-benjamin-rigby-ridley-scott/|archive-date=April 7, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> When the first trailer was released in late 2016, Kurzel was revealed as the replacement for Gregson-Williams.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://filmmusicreporter.com/2016/12/25/jed-kurzel-to-score-ridley-scotts-alien-covenant/ |title=Jed Kurzel to Score Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant'|date=December 25, 2016}}</ref> Themes from [[Jerry Goldsmith]]'s original score for ''Alien'' were incorporated, as well as themes from [[Marc Streitenfeld]]'s and Harry Gregson-Williams' score for ''Prometheus''.<ref>{{cite AV media |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDlcyFh_-rs&t=2777s| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190323195312/https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oDlcyFh_-rs&gl=US&hl=en| archive-date=March 23, 2019|title=Jed Kurzel's Full Score For Ridley Scott's Sci-fi Horror Film "Alien: Covenant" |format= video |via= [[YouTube]] }}</ref> A version of "[[Nature Boy]]" sung by Norwegian singer and songwriter [[Aurora (singer)|Aurora]] was used in the first trailer, while another song, "[[All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend|Under the Water]]", was used in a short promotional film featuring the character Daniels (Katherine Waterston) battling a xenomorph.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8LJSuO4aXA| archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/varchive/youtube/20211030/d8LJSuO4aXA| archive-date=October 30, 2021|title=Alien: Covenant – She Won't Go Quietly | date=May 5, 2017|format=video |via= [[YouTube]] }}{{cbignore}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a670539/alien-covenant-everything-you-need-to-know-about-prometheus-2-including-release-date-cast-and-spoilers/|title=Alien: Covenant release date, cast, spoilers and everything you need to know about Prometheus 2|first1=Rosie|last1=Fletcher|first2=Hugo|last2=Armitage|date=May 8, 2017 |work=[[Digital Spy]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211104220017/https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a670539/alien-covenant-everything-you-need-to-know-about-prometheus-2-including-release-date-cast-and-spoilers/|archive-date=November 4, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[Melanie De Biasio]]'s track "I Feel You – [[Eels (band)|Eels]] Remix" was used as the soundtrack for the in-universe short film ''Meet Walter'', starring Michael Fassbender, that was created to promote the film.<ref>{{cite web|last1= Software |first1= A7 |url= http://www.wallonia.be/en/news/melanie-de-biasio-lends-her-voice-alien-covenant |title= Melanie De Biasio lends her voice in Alien – Covenant |publisher= Wallonia|access-date=April 22, 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220216082525/http://www.wallonia.be/en/news/melanie-de-biasio-lends-her-voice-alien-covenant|archive-date=February 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

Additional song credits include "Theme from ''[[Alien (film)|Alien]]''" composed by Jerry Goldsmith, "[[Das Rheingold]], Scene 4: Entrance of the Gods into Valhalla" composed by [[Richard Wagner]] (in the soundtrack, incorrectly called by David as 'Das Rheingold, Act II' - the opera has only one act)<ref name="newyorker">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/alien-covenant-bursts-with-pomposity|title="Alien: Covenant" Bursts with Pomposity|date=May 24, 2017|magazine=[[The New Yorker]]|publisher=[[Advance Publications]]|last1=Brody|first1=Richard|access-date=May 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922104543/https://www.newyorker.com/culture/richard-brody/alien-covenant-bursts-with-pomposity|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> "[[Take Me Home, Country Roads]]" by [[John Denver]], "[[The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo (song)|The Man Who Broke the Bank at Monte Carlo]]" by [[Fred Gilbert (songwriter)|Fred Gilbert]], "Ancient Flute", "Life" and "We Were Right" composed by Harry Gregson-Williams, and "[[Let Me Down Easy (Paolo Nutini song)|Let Me Down Easy]]" by [[Paolo Nutini]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.soundtrack.net/movie/alien-covenant/|title=Alien: Covenant – Song Credits|website=[[Soundtrack.Net]]|access-date=May 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200726231828/https://www.soundtrack.net/movie/alien-covenant/|archive-date=July 26, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Release ==
In the run up to release, 20th Century Fox released a number of short prologue films as part of the marketing for ''Alien: Covenant''. The first, called ''Prologue: Last Supper'', was directed by Ridley Scott's son [[Luke Scott (director)|Luke Scott]] and features the crew of the Covenant having a last meal before they enter cryosleep.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-prologue/|title='Alien: Covenant': 5-Minute Prologue Reveals the Last Supper of the Covenant Crew|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|date=February 22, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212344/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-prologue/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}} The second prologue, called ''The Crossing'' and directed by Ridley Scott, reveals what happened to Elizabeth Shaw (Noomi Rapace) and the android David (Michael Fassbender) following the ending of ''Prometheus''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-shaw-david-explained/|title='Alien: Covenant' Prologue Reveals the Fate of Shaw and David Post-'Prometheus'|first=Dave|last=Trumbore|date=April 26, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928212339/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-shaw-david-explained/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}}Another was called ''Meet Walter'', starring Michael Fassbender and directed by Luke Scott, which was a fictional advertisement for the Walter series of androids.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170310005368/en/Twentieth-Century-Fox-and-AMD-Partner-on-%E2%80%9CAlien-Covenant%E2%80%9D-and-Launch-%E2%80%9CMeet-Walter%E2%80%9D-Campaign|title=Twentieth Century Fox and AMD Partner on "Alien: Covenant" and Launch "Meet Walter" Campaign|date=March 10, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Business Wire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929173304/https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20170310005368/en/Twentieth-Century-Fox-and-AMD-Partner-on-%E2%80%9CAlien-Covenant%E2%80%9D-and-Launch-%E2%80%9CMeet-Walter%E2%80%9D-Campaign|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

''Alien: Covenant'' premiered on May 4, 2017, at the [[Odeon Leicester Square]] in London.<ref name="firstshowing">{{Cite news|url=http://www.firstshowing.net/2017/run-pray-hide-three-new-tv-spots-for-ridley-scotts-alien-covenant/ |title=Run, Pray, Hide: Three New TV Spots for Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' |first=Alex|last=Billington|publisher=FirstShowing.net |access-date=April 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221016224058/https://www.firstshowing.net/2017/run-pray-hide-three-new-tv-spots-for-ridley-scotts-alien-covenant/|archive-date=October 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on May 19 in the United States.<ref name="launchingfilms">{{Cite web|url=http://www.launchingfilms.com/release-schedule?filmSearch=Alien:+Covenant|title=Past, present and future releases to Past, Present and Future Releases {{!}} UK Recent and Upcoming Movie|website=launchingfilms.com|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-date=August 15, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190815013015/https://www.launchingfilms.com/release-schedule?filmSearch=Alien:%2BCovenant|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref name="fandango">{{Cite web|url=http://www.fandango.com/alien:covenant_188982/movieoverview|title=Alien: Covenant (2017) {{!}} Fandango|work=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]] |access-date=May 10, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428104044/https://www.fandango.com/alien-covenant-188982/movie-overview|archive-date=April 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="firstshowing" /> It was originally set to be released on October 6, 2017, before being moved up to August 4, and then again to its final date.<ref>{{cite news |last1=Perry |first1=Spencer |title=Alien: Covenant Gets a Title Treatment, Release Date and Synopsis! |url=https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/633311-alien-covenant-gets-a-title-treatment-release-date-and-synopsis |access-date=November 17, 2015 |website=[[ComingSoon.net]]|date=November 16, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002204301/https://www.comingsoon.net/movies/news/633311-alien-covenant-gets-a-title-treatment-release-date-and-synopsis|archive-date=October 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-predator-release-date-fox/ |title=Alien: Covenant, Predator Release Dates Announced by Fox |date=February 28, 2016 |work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221009081142/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-predator-release-date-fox/|archive-date=October 9, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025}}

The version of the film released in China on June 16, 2017, was six minutes shorter than the version released elsewhere due to [[film censorship in China|censorship]] with most of the scenes involving the aliens<ref>{{cite web|last1=Liu|first1=Charles|title=China Censored Version of 'Alien: Covenant' Has Next to No Alien in It|url=https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2017/06/08/china-censored-version-alien-covenant-has-next-no-alien-it|access-date=June 11, 2017|date=June 8, 2017|publisher=[[The Beijinger]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928205029/https://www.thebeijinger.com/blog/2017/06/08/china-censored-version-alien-covenant-has-next-no-alien-it|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> and a scene where the two characters played by Michael Fassbender kiss having been cut.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/general-news/chinese-censors-cut-michael-fassbenders-gay-kiss-alien-covenant-1014488/|title=Chinese Censors Cut Michael Fassbender's Gay Kiss From 'Alien: Covenant'|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first=Partick|last=Brzeski|date=June 18, 2017|access-date=October 26, 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.digitalspy.com/movies/a831114/michael-fassbender-gay-kiss-alien-covenant-cut-by-censors-china/|title=Michael Fassbender's gay kiss in Alien: Covenant was cut by censors in China alongside five further minutes of content|work=[[Digital Spy]]|first=Louise|last=McCreesh|date=June 19, 2017|access-date=October 26, 2022}}</ref>

===Home media===
The film was released in Japan on September 15, 2017.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/aamir-khan-dangal-alien-covenant-guardians-of-the-glaxy-vol-2-beauty-beast-get-out-china-international-box-office-1202099242/|title='Alien: Covenant' Adds $30M In 2nd Frame; 'Dangal' Pins $100M+ In China; 'Guardians 2' At $733M WW – International Box Office|first=Nancy|last=Tartaglione|date=May 21, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929105036/https://deadline.com/2017/05/aamir-khan-dangal-alien-covenant-guardians-of-the-glaxy-vol-2-beauty-beast-get-out-china-international-box-office-1202099242/|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The [[Blu-ray]], [[DVD]], and [[4K resolution#CEA Ultra HD|4K Ultra HD]] releases of the film came out on August 15, 2017. The home release includes an audio commentary by the director and 22 minutes of deleted scenes and unused footage from the first cut of the film.<ref name="Perry-2017">{{cite web|url=https://comingsoon.net/dvd/news/864883-alien-covenant-blu-ray-dvd-and-digital-release-set-for-august#/slide/1|title=Alien: Covenant Blu-ray, DVD, and Digital Release Set for August|first=Spencer|last=Perry|date=July 6, 2017|website=[[ComingSoon.net]]|archive-date=July 9, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170709093533/http://www.comingsoon.net/dvd/news/864883-alien-covenant-blu-ray-dvd-and-digital-release-set-for-august#/slide/1|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Adaptations==
=== Novelization ===
The theatrical release of the film was accompanied by the release of a [[novelization]] by [[Alan Dean Foster]], who also authored the novelization of the original ''Alien'' film.<ref>Alan Dean Foster (2017). ''Alien: Covenant''. 304 pages; Publisher: Titan Books (May 23, 2017); Language: English; {{ISBN|1785654780}}.</ref> A companion volume about the film's art and stage design was released at the same time, written by Simon Ward and titled ''The Art and Making of Alien: Covenant''.<ref>Ward, Simon (2017). ''The Art and Making of Alien: Covenant''. 192 pages; Publisher: Titan Books (May 23, 2017); Language: English; {{ISBN|1785653814}}.</ref>

A second ''Covenant'' novel by Foster was initially billed as a sequel to the film, ''Alien: Covenant 2'', before being revealed to be a direct prequel to ''Covenant'' under the title ''[[Alien: Covenant – Origins]]''.<ref>''[[Alien: Covenant – Origins|Alien: Covenant 2]]''. 304 pages; Publisher: Titan Books (September 26, 2017); Language: English; {{ISBN|1785654764}}.</ref> ''Titan Books'', as publisher of the book, released a plot summary in advance of its release on September 26, 2017:{{blockquote|As the colony ship ''Covenant'' prepares for launch, and the final members of the crew are chosen, a series of violent events reveals a conspiracy to sabotage the launch. Yet the perpetrators remain hidden behind a veil of secrecy. The threat reaches all the way up to Hideo Yutani—the head of the newly merged Weyland-Yutani Corporation—when his daughter is kidnapped. Is the conspiracy the product of corporate espionage, or is it something even more sinister? While Captain Jacob Branson{{efn|The novel's first edition and audiobook mistakenly refer to Jacob Branson as Jacob Brandon throughout.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/what-the-alien-covenant-prequel-novel-reveals-about-the-film/|title=What the Alien: Covenant Prequel Novel Reveals About the Film|first=Padraig|last=Cotter|date=November 17, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|work=[[Den of Geek]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929171550/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/what-the-alien-covenant-prequel-novel-reveals-about-the-film/|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=dead}}</ref>}} and his wife Daniels prepare the ship, Security chief Dan Lopé signs a key member of his team, and together they seek to stop the technologically advanced saboteurs before anyone else is killed, and the ship itself is destroyed in orbit.<ref>{{cite web |title=Here's the Plot for Prequel Novel 'Alien: Covenant – Origins' |first=John |last=Squires |date=June 8, 2017 |url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3441058/heres-plot-prequel-novel-alien-covenant-origins/ |work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929032544/https://bloody-disgusting.com/news/3441058/heres-plot-prequel-novel-alien-covenant-origins/|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>}}

=== Virtual reality ===
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, FoxNext VR, Moving Picture Company, Mach1, [[Radeon|AMD Radeon]], and [[Alienware|Dell Alienware]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/with-the-new-alien-covenant-vr-experience-be-the-alien-you-want-to-see-in-the-theaters/|title=Be the alien you want to see in the theatres with the new Alien: Covenant VR experience|first=Jonathan|last=Shieber|date=April 25, 2017|access-date=September 6, 2022| publisher=[[TechCrunch]]|website=techcrunch.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170427055943/https://techcrunch.com/2017/04/25/with-the-new-alien-covenant-vr-experience-be-the-alien-you-want-to-see-in-the-theaters/|archive-date=April 27, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://alien.technicolor.com/|title=A VR Experience is Born|date=2 May 2017|access-date=September 6, 2022|work=technicolor.com|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112024018/https://www.technicolor.com/case-studies/alien-covenant-in-utero|archive-date=November 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref> The trailer is a first-person experience in which the viewer plays the role of a neomorph. The experience was executive produced by Scott and directed by [[David Karlak]].<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-in-utero-vr-experience-regal-cinemas-ridley-scott-1202084044/|title='Alien: Covenant In Utero' VR Experience Invades Regal Cinemas & Provides Terrifying Run-In With Baby Chomper|first=Anthony|last=D'Alessandro|date=May 4, 2017|access-date=September 27, 2022|publisher=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220930050701/https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-in-utero-vr-experience-regal-cinemas-ridley-scott-1202084044/|archive-date=September 30, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
=== Box office ===
''Alien: Covenant'' grossed a worldwide total of $240.9 million, including $74.3 million in the United States and Canada and $166.6 million in other countries, against a production budget of $97–111 million.<ref name="BOM" /><ref name="sleeper1"/><ref name="sleeper2"/> The film was considered a disappointment at the box office compared to ''[[Prometheus (2012 film)|Prometheus]]'' which had grossed a worldwide total of $403.4 million.<ref name="starwars">{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/news/alien-covenant-box-office-analysis-ridley-scott-1202439346/|title=Sorry, Ridley Scott: The 'Alien' Franchise Is No 'Star Wars'|first=Seth|last=Kelley|date=May 21, 2017 |access-date=October 5, 2022|publisher=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007230009/https://variety.com/2017/film/news/alien-covenant-box-office-analysis-ridley-scott-1202439346/|archive-date=October 7, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="BOMProm">{{cite web|url=https://www.boxofficemojo.com/title/tt1446714/ |title=Prometheus |work=Box Office Mojo |date=June 2, 2012 |access-date=September 4, 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120619145013/http://www.boxofficemojo.com/movies/?id=prometheus.htm |archive-date=June 19, 2012 |url-status=live}}</ref>

Fox released the film in several countries before the United States.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-alien-covenant-review-20170517-story.html|title=Ridley Scott's 'Alien: Covenant' is a sleek, suspenseful return to form|last=Chang|first=Justin|date=May 17, 2017|work=[[Los Angeles Times]]|access-date=May 19, 2017|issn=0458-3035|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210707160933/https://www.latimes.com/entertainment/movies/la-et-mn-alien-covenant-review-20170517-story.html|archive-date=July 7, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.tracking-board.com/alien-covenant-film-review-ridley-scott-returns-to-form-with-chest-bursting-thrills/|title="Alien: Covenant" Film Review: Ridley Scott Returns to Form With Chest-Bursting Thrills|date=7 May 2017|publisher=The Tracking Board|access-date=19 May 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226202731/https://www.tracking-board.com/alien-covenant-film-review-ridley-scott-returns-to-form-with-chest-bursting-thrills/|archive-date=December 26, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> It was released in 34 markets, where it debuted to $40.1 million, opening at number one in 19 of them. Its overall rank for the weekend was second behind the continued run of ''[[Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 2]]''.<ref name="Intl">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-king-arthur-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-aamir-khan-dangal-china-international-box-office-weekend-1202093146/|title='Alien: Covenant' Chomps $42M Bow; 'Guardians 2' Crosses $630M WW; 'Dangal' Soars In China – International Box Office|author=Nancy Tartaglione|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|date=May 14, 2017|access-date=May 14, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922200027/https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-king-arthur-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-aamir-khan-dangal-china-international-box-office-weekend-1202093146/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The top openings were in South Korea ($7.2 million), the UK ($6.4 million), France ($4.5 million), Australia ($3.1 million), and Mexico ($2.5 million).<ref name="Intl" /> In China, the film was released on June 16 and grossed $30 million, topping the box office.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/06/the-mummy-wonder-woman-despicable-me-3-wekend-results-international-box-office-1202115482/|title='Mummy' Leads Overseas; 'Wonder Woman' Cuffs $572M WW; 'Cars', 'Despicable Me' 3s Hit International Box Office|website=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |access-date=June 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902061238/https://deadline.com/2017/06/the-mummy-wonder-woman-despicable-me-3-wekend-results-international-box-office-1202115482/|archive-date=September 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-alien-covenant-scares-up-30m-debut-1014609/|title=China Box Office: 'Alien: Covenant' Scares Up $30M Debut|first=Patrick|last=Brzeski|date=June 18, 2017|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221019000119/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/china-box-office-alien-covenant-scares-up-30m-debut-1014609/|archive-date=October 19, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In North America, the film was released alongside ''[[Everything, Everything (film)|Everything, Everything]]'' and ''[[Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul (film)|Diary of a Wimpy Kid: The Long Haul]]'', another 20th Century Fox film, and was projected to gross around $40 million from 3,760 theaters during its opening weekend.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-alien-20170516-htmlstory.html |title='Alien: Covenant,' No. 8 in the franchise, is poised to unseat 'Guardians' at the box office|work=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=May 16, 2017|first=Ryan|last=Faughnder|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201620/https://www.latimes.com/business/hollywood/la-fi-ct-movie-projector-alien-20170516-htmlstory.html|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-weekend-box-office-projections-wimpy-kid-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-everything-everything-1202096372/ |title='Alien: Covenant' Looks To Kick 'Guardians Of The Galaxy Vol. 2' Out Of Orbit – Box Office Preview|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |first=Anthony |last=D'Alessandro|date=May 17, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220103122811/https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-weekend-box-office-projections-wimpy-kid-guardians-of-the-galaxy-vol-2-everything-everything-1202096372/|archive-date=January 3, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> It made $4.3 million from Thursday-night previews at about 3,000 theaters, and $15.4 million overall on its first day, which was below the $21.5 million Friday of&nbsp;''Prometheus'' five years prior.<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/05/20/box-office-alien-covenant-tops-friday-with-15m-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-bombs/|title=Box Office: 'Alien: Covenant' Tops Friday With $15M, 'Diary Of A Wimpy Kid' Bombs|last=Mendelson|first=Scott|work=[[Forbes]]|access-date=May 20, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170520171936/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/05/20/box-office-alien-covenant-tops-friday-with-15m-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-bombs/#7b4f31efaa5a|archive-date=May 20, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It went on to open to $36.2 million, down 30% from ''Prometheus''{{'}}s debut, but still finishing first at the box office,<ref name="BOM" /> as the third-highest debut of the series when not counting for inflation.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Alien#tab=summary&franchise_movies_overview=od3|title=Box Office History for Alien Movies|work=[[The Numbers (website)|The Numbers]]|access-date=October 19, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011042845/https://www.the-numbers.com/movies/franchise/Alien#tab=summary|archive-date=October 11, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="opening">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-everything-everything-box-office-previews-1202097673/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true |title=Why 'Alien: Covenant' Lost Its Bite At The B.O. With $36.1M Opening, −34% From 'Prometheus' |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro|first2= Anita| last2=Busch|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]] |date=May 23, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014020523/https://deadline.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-diary-of-a-wimpy-kid-everything-everything-box-office-previews-1202097673/?iframe=true&theme_preview=true|archive-date=October 14, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/05/22/box-office-five-reasons-alien-covenant-failed-to-measure-up-to-prometheus/?sh=4e9ab2bcee6f|title=Box Office: Five Reasons 'Alien: Covenant' Failed To Measure Up To 'Prometheus'|first=Scott|last=Mendelson|date=May 22, 2017|access-date=October 5, 2022|work=[[Forbes]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005054802/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/05/22/box-office-five-reasons-alien-covenant-failed-to-measure-up-to-prometheus/?sh=6a5fe928ee6f|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In its second weekend, the film grossed $10.5 million, finishing fourth at the box office and dropping 70.9%.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/pirates-of-the-caribbean-5-dead-men-tell-no-tales-baywatch-box-office-weekend-1202102887/|title=How 'Pirates' & 'Baywatch' Are Casualties Of Summer Franchise Fatigue At The Domestic B.O. |first1=Anthony |last1=D'Alessandro|first2= Anita| last2=Busch|work=[[Deadline Hollywood]]|access-date=May 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221011065744/https://deadline.com/2017/05/pirates-of-the-caribbean-5-dead-men-tell-no-tales-baywatch-box-office-weekend-1202102887/|archive-date=October 11, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.darkhorizons.com/covenant-plummets-at-box-office/|title="Covenant" Plummets At Box-Office – Dark Horizons|last=Franklin|first=Garth|website=www.darkhorizons.com |access-date=May 29, 2017|date=May 28, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112034547/https://www.darkhorizons.com/covenant-plummets-at-box-office/|archive-date=November 12, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/alien-covenant-where-its-box-office-leaves-the-series/|title=Alien: Covenant – Where Its Box Office Leaves the Series|first=Ryan |last=Lambie|date=June 9, 2017|access-date=October 19, 2022|work=[[Den of Geek]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516155353/https://www.denofgeek.com/movies/alien-covenant-where-its-box-office-leaves-the-series/|archive-date=May 16, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The film was pulled from 1,112 theaters in its third weekend and dropped another 62.3%, finishing sixth at the box office with $4 million.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/06/04/box-office-pirates-5-sails-past-500m-worldwide-baywatch-and-alien-crumble/|title=Box Office: 'Pirates 5' Sails Past $500M Worldwide, 'Baywatch' And 'Alien' Crumble|first=Scott |last=Mendelson|work=[[Forbes]]|date=June 4, 2017|access-date=June 5, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170604192743/https://www.forbes.com/sites/scottmendelson/2017/06/04/box-office-pirates-5-sails-past-500m-worldwide-baywatch-and-alien-crumble/#1983df6857d4|archive-date=June 4, 2017|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Critical response ===
[[File:Michael Fassbender by Gage Skidmore 2015.jpg|thumb|upright=0.85|Fassbender's portrayal of two similar androids with different programming, [[David 8|David]] and [[Walter One|Walter]], was highly praised by reviewers.]]
''Alien: Covenant'' received generally positive reviews from critics.<ref>Multiple sources:
* {{cite web | last=Shepherd | first=Jack | title=Here's what the critics are saying about Alien: Covenant | work=[[The Independent]] | date=May 7, 2017 | url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/alien-covenant-reviews-roundup-prometheus-aliens-critics-a7722226.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211226202741/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/news/alien-covenant-reviews-roundup-prometheus-aliens-critics-a7722226.html |archive-date=December 26, 2021 |url-access=limited |url-status=live | access-date=March 23, 2021}}
* {{cite web |url=https://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-critical-roundup-michael-fassbender-1201813409/ |title='Alien: Covenant' Critical Roundup: Michael Fassbender Is Singled Out for Praise in Early Reviews of Ridley Scott's Latest |last=Nordine |first=Michael |date=May 7, 2017 |work=[[IndieWire]]|access-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220516161757/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-critical-roundup-michael-fassbender-1201813409/|archive-date=May 16, 2022|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web | title=Here's What the Critics Are Saying About 'Alien: Covenant' | first=Nivea |last=Serrao| website=EW.com | publisher=[[Entertainment Weekly]]| date=May 7, 2017 | url=https://ew.com/movies/2017/05/07/alien-covenant-reviews-roundup/ | access-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220528165506/https://ew.com/movies/2017/05/07/alien-covenant-reviews-roundup/|archive-date=May 28, 2022|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web | last=Rahman | first=Abid | title=Alien Covenant Review Round-Up | publisher=[[The Hollywood Reporter]] | date=May 8, 2017 | url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/alien-covenant-review-round-up-1001062 | access-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220529213547/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alien-covenant-review-round-up-1001062/|archive-date=May 29, 2022|url-status=live}}
* {{cite web | title=Alien: Covenant Review Roundup | publisher=[[GameSpot]] | url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-covenant-review-roundup/1100-6449923/ | first= Eddie |last=Makuch| date=May 18, 2017| access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220410120436/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/alien-covenant-review-roundup/1100-6449923/|archive-date=April 10, 2022|url-status=live }}
* {{Cite news |url=http://www.slashfilm.com/alien-covenant-reviews/ |title=Alien Covenant Reviews Round-up | first=Ethan |last=Anderton| date=May 8, 2017 |work=[[/Film]] |access-date=May 19, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220914212418/https://www.slashfilm.com/550818/alien-covenant-reviews/|archive-date=September 14, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> The film has {{a or an|{{RT data|score}}}} approval from {{RT data|count}} reviews compiled by review aggregation website [[Rotten Tomatoes]], with an average rating of {{RT data|average}}. The website's critical consensus reads, "''Alien: Covenant'' delivers another satisfying round of close-quarters deep-space terror, even if it doesn't take the saga in any new directions."<ref name="tomatoes">{{Cite web|url=https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alien_covenant|title=Alien: Covenant|website=[[Rotten Tomatoes]]|publisher=[[Fandango Media|Fandango]]|access-date={{RT data|access date|df=mdy}}|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922212103/https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/alien_covenant|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}{{RT data|edit}}</ref> On [[Metacritic]], the film has a score of 65 out of 100, based on reviews from 52 critics, indicating "generally favorable" reviews.<ref>{{cite web |title= Alien: Covenant reviews |website= [[Metacritic]] |publisher=[[CBS Interactive|CBS Interactive Inc.]] |url= https://metacritic.com/movie/alien-covenant |access-date= September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201617/https://www.metacritic.com/movie/alien-covenant|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live }}</ref> Audiences polled by [[CinemaScore]] gave the film an average grade of "B" on an A+ to F scale, the same score earned by its predecessor.<ref name="opening" />

Writing for ''[[The Guardian]]'', [[Peter Bradshaw]] gave the film three stars out of five, stating that ''Alien: Covenant'' is "a greatest-hits compilation of the other ''Alien'' films' freaky moments. The paradox is that though you are intended to recognize these touches, you won't really be impressed unless you happen to be seeing them for the first time. For all this, the film is very capably made, with forceful, potent performances from Waterston and Fassbender."<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/07/alien-covenant-review-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-katherine-waterston-prometheus|title=Alien: Covenant review – Ridley Scott's latest space exploration feels all too familiar|first=Peter|last=Bradshaw|author-link=Peter Bradshaw|date=May 6, 2017| access-date= September 5, 2022| work=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group|Guardian News and Media Limited]]|location=London|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015133741/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2017/may/07/alien-covenant-review-ridley-scott-michael-fassbender-katherine-waterston-prometheus|archive-date=October 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Geoffrey McNab, writing for ''[[The Independent]]'', stated that it "certainly delivers what you'd expect from an ''Aliens'' film—spectacle, body horror, strong [[Ellen Ripley|Ripley]]-like female protagonists and some astonishing special effects—but there's also a dispiriting sense that the film isn't at all sure of its own identity." He found the screenplay "very portentous" and concluded that "the crew members pitted against the monstrous creatures are trying their darndest to blast them to kingdom come, just as they would in any run-of-the-mill sci-fi B movie."<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-reviews-round-up-alien-covenant-frantz-jawbone-the-levelling-a7727686.html |title=Film reviews round-up: Alien: Covenant, Frantz, Jawbone, The Levelling|first=Geoffrey|last=McNab|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201122201125/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/film-reviews-round-alien-covenant-frantz-jawbone-levelling-a7727686.html|archive-date=November 22, 2020|url-status=live}}</ref>

[[A. O. Scott]] of ''[[The New York Times]]'' said, "''Alien: Covenant'' is an interesting movie ... for all its interplanetary ranging, [it] commits itself above all to the canny management of expectations."<ref name="NYT-20170517">{{cite news|last=Scott|first=A. O.|author-link=A. O. Scott|title=Review: 'Alien: Covenant' Summons Terror and Stays on Brand|url=https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/movies/alien-covenant-review-ridley-scott.html|date=May 17, 2017|work=[[The New York Times]]|access-date=May 18, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404180806/https://www.nytimes.com/2017/05/17/movies/alien-covenant-review-ridley-scott.html|archive-date=April 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Trace Thurman, from [[Bloody Disgusting]], gave the film a mediocre review, noting that although watching ''Alien: Covenant'' will make viewers appreciate ''Prometheus'' more, "this is a film that was made as a response to ''Prometheus'' critics but tries to appease fans of that film as well and it doesn't fully work." He also criticizes the overfamiliarity of the climax and insufficiently developed characters.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3436633/review-alien-covenant/|title=[Review] 'Alien: Covenant' Disappoints, Despite a Stellar Production|date=May 15, 2017 |work=[[Bloody Disgusting]]|first=Trace |last=Thurman|access-date=May 19, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220404182239/https://bloody-disgusting.com/reviews/3436633/review-alien-covenant/|archive-date=April 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> ''[[Collider (website)|Collider]]''{{'}}s review of the film stated that Scott "finds himself stuck between two constructs—the action-horror beats of an ''Alien'' film, and the weighty, ponderous themes of a ''Prometheus'' movie—and by indulging both, he never fully satisfies either. The result is a messy film that is at turns, exquisite and infuriating."<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-review/ |title='Alien: Covenant' Review: An Exquisite, Infuriating Epic from a Sci-Fi Master |date=May 6, 2017 |first=Haleigh|last=Foutch|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]] |access-date=December 6, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928080059/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-review/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In a review for ''The Independent'' Clarisse Loughrey gave the film five stars describing it as "relentless and overwhelming, but all in the very best of ways" and as a "mightily impressive piece of cinematic engineering" which has brought together the Alien franchise. Loughrey praised Katherine Waterston for her "impressive work" as Daniels and went on to single out Fassbender for playing a "deeply frightening, scene-stealing antagonist".<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/alien-covenant-review-prometheus-sequel-prequel-michael-fassbender-david-walter-a7720371.html|title=Alien: Covenant review: It's everything you could ever want from an Alien movie|first=Clarisse|last=Loughrey|date=May 7, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|work=[[The Independent]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002204323/https://www.independent.co.uk/arts-entertainment/films/reviews/alien-covenant-review-prometheus-sequel-prequel-michael-fassbender-david-walter-a7720371.html|archive-date=October 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Sinead Brennan for [[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]], gave the film 7/10, but gave high praise to Fassbender who she says "steals the show; seriously, he's incredible".<ref name="RTE">{{cite web|url=https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/movie-reviews/2017/0509/873654-alien-covenant/|title=Alien: Covenant movie review|first=Sinead|last=Brennan|date=May 13, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|publisher=[[Raidió Teilifís Éireann|RTÉ]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905005852/https://www.rte.ie/entertainment/movie-reviews/2017/0509/873654-alien-covenant/|archive-date=September 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Meanwhile, Neil Soans in a three star review for ''[[The Times of India]]'', highlighted Danny McBride's performance as the most surprising given his comedic roots.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/english/movie-reviews/alien-covenant/movie-review/58628845.cms|title=Alien: Covenant Movie Review|work=[[The Times of India]]|first=Neil|last=Soans|date=May 11, 2017|access-date=October 26, 2022}}</ref>

[[Matt Zoller Seitz]] of [[RogerEbert.com]] highly praised ''Alien: Covenant'', giving it four out of four stars and stating that the film's structure, although repeatedly borrowing from other ''Alien'' films, serves a purpose not unlike the [[James Bond in film|James Bond film series]] or ''[[Star Wars]]'', "where part of the fun lies in seeing what variations the artists can bring while satisfying a rigid structure." He also emphasized that, like previous films of the series, real-world logic should not be applied to the film, and "[i]nstead you have to judge it by the standards of a [[fever dream]] or nightmare, a [[Sigmund Freud|Freudian]]-[[Carl Jung|Jungian]] narrative where the thing you fear most is what happens to you."<ref name="ebert">{{cite web|last1=Seitz|first1=Matt Zoller|title=Alien: Covenant Movie Review & Film Summary (2017)|url=https://rogerebert.com/reviews/alien-covenant-2017|website=[[RogerEbert.com]]|publisher=Ebert Digital LLC|access-date=May 15, 2017|date=May 15, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220204143335/https://www.rogerebert.com/reviews/alien-covenant-2017|archive-date=February 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Seitz later voted for it in ''Sight & Sound'' as one of the five best films of 2017.<ref>{{cite web|title=The best films of 2017 – all the votes|url=https://www2.bfi.org.uk//features/best-films-2017-all-the-votes/|website=[[Sight & Sound]]|publisher=[[British Film Institute|BFI]]|access-date=January 16, 2018|date=December 14, 2017|first1=Paul|last1= McManus|first2= Rob |last2=Philp|first3= Nick |last3=Bradshaw|first4=Isabel |last4=Stevens|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220825220621/https://www2.bfi.org.uk/features/best-films-2017-all-the-votes/|archive-date=August 25, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

In ''[[New York (magazine)|New York]]'' magazine, [[David Edelstein]] commented on David the android as representing a new generation of monster villains in the tradition of [[Victor Frankenstein|Frankenstein]], stating, "In ''[[Star Trek]]'', that man-machine nexus was...hopeful. Here, there's some doubt about David's ultimate motives, which puts ''Alien: Covenant'' squarely in the tradition of the ''[[Terminator (franchise)|Terminator]]'' and ''[[The Matrix (franchise)|Matrix]]'' movies. And, of course, the novel ''[[Frankenstein]]'', which carried the subtitle ''The Modern Prometheus''. No less than [[Stephen Hawking]]—who survived with the aid of machines—has predicted that we have 100 years to live before evolved machines take human imperfection as [[Existential risk from artificial general intelligence|justification for destroying humanity]]".<ref>{{cite web|last1=Edelstein|first1=David|title=Review: Alien: Covenant Is an Origin Story We Might Not Have Wanted|url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-movie-review.html|website=[[New York (magazine)#Digital|Vulture]]|date=May 16, 2017 |publisher=[[New York (magazine)|New York Media LLC]]|access-date=May 26, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211127194257/https://www.vulture.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-movie-review.html|archive-date=November 27, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Kevin Lincoln, writing for ''[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]]'', gave a strong endorsement of the depiction of David as an arch-villain in the film stating, "...{{nbsp}}one franchise is showing it's still possible for a modern blockbuster to have a great villain. In ''Alien: Covenant'', David—the android played by Michael Fassbender, first introduced in ''Prometheus''—comes into his own as a fleshed-out, dynamic, and genuinely striking antagonist, one who isn't just an equal match for the heroes, but even becomes the central thread of the series. He's a huge part of what makes ''Alien: Covenant'' work."<ref>{{cite web |last=Lincoln |first=Kevin |title=What Other Blockbuster Villains Can Learn From David in Alien: Covenant| work=[[Vulture (website)|Vulture]] |date=May 23, 2017 |url=http://www.vulture.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-david-michael-fassbender-villain.html|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211202133010/https://www.vulture.com/2017/05/alien-covenant-david-michael-fassbender-villain.html|archive-date=December 2, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref>

Writing for ''[[Vox Media|Vox]]'', Alissa Wilkinson said that "''Alien: Covenant'' is too muddled to pull off its deeply ambitious Satan allegories". She emphasized the [[Paradise Lost|Miltonic]] demonic aspect of the android David: "But David is a better Satan than Satan himself ... It's as if in the ''Alien'' universe, the devil has evolved, thanks to humans creating him. David, fatally, has the ability to create—something Satan never had—and he will use that power only to destroy. He doesn't have any real need to rebel against his maker, since from the moment he became sentient, he knew he'd already won. He is indestructible, and determined to make creatures that imitate his drive for total domination."<ref>Alissa Wilkinson. {{cite web|url=https://www.vox.com/summer-movies/2017/5/17/15612540/alien-covenant-review-fassbender-satan-paradise-lost-spoilers|title=Alien: Covenant is too muddled to pull off its deeply ambitious Satan allegories|first=Alissa|last=Wilkinson|publisher=[[Vox (website)|Vox]]|date=May 17, 2017|access-date=September 5, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220905111758/https://www.vox.com/summer-movies/2017/5/17/15612540/alien-covenant-review-fassbender-satan-paradise-lost-spoilers|archive-date=September 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>

=== Accolades ===
{{see also|List of accolades received by the Alien film series}}
{| class="wikitable sortable plainrowheaders" width="95%"
|-
! Year 
! width="20%" | Award
! width="40%" | Category
! width="30%" | Recipients
! width="10%" | Result
! {{Abbr|Ref.|References}}
|-
| 2016
| [[IndieWire Critics Poll]]
| Most Anticipated of 2017
| ''Alien: Covenant''
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.indiewire.com/2016/12/best-movies-2016-critic-poll-results-1201757008/ |title=2016 IndieWire Critics Poll: Full List of Results|first=Steve |last=Greene |date=December 19, 2016 |work=[[IndieWire]] |access-date=October 1, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221005182457/https://www.indiewire.com/2016/12/best-movies-2016-critic-poll-results-1201757008/|archive-date=October 5, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="9"| 2017
| [[JoBlo.com|Golden Schmoes Awards]]
| Biggest Disappointment of the Year
| ''Alien: Covenant''
|{{nom}}
|style="text-align:center;"|<ref>{{cite web|url=https://goldenschmoes.joblo.com/results/golden-schmoes-winners-and-nominees-2017/|title=Golden Schmoes Winners and Nominees (2017)|access-date=October 1, 2022|work=[[JoBlo.com]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221001014234/https://goldenschmoes.joblo.com/results/golden-schmoes-winners-and-nominees-2017/|archive-date=October 1, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="5"| [[Golden Trailer Awards]]
| Best Horror Poster
| ''Domestic Teaser'', 20th Century Fox, InSync Plus
|{{won}}
|rowspan="5" style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="GTrailer17">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2017/05/golden-trailer-awards-2017-nominees-full-list-1202091736/|title=Golden Trailer Awards Nominees: Warner Bros & 'Lego Batman' Lead Pack|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=May 12, 2017|access-date=September 26, 2022|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221015001657/https://deadline.com/2017/05/golden-trailer-awards-2017-nominees-full-list-1202091736/|archive-date=October 15, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| Best Sound Editing
| ''Theirs'', 20th Century Fox, Wild Card
|{{nom}}
|-
| Best Summer 2017 Blockbuster TV Spot
| ''Run / Madness'', 20th Century Fox, Wild Card
|{{nom}}
|-
| Best Summer Blockbuster Poster
| ''Domestic Teaser'', 20th Century Fox, InSync Plus
|{{nom}}
|-
| Best Teaser Poster
| ''Domestic Teaser'', 20th Century Fox, InSync Plus
|{{nom}}
|-
| Hawaii Film Critics Society
| Best Supporting Actor
| [[Michael Fassbender]]
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=http://hifilmcriticssociety.org/hawaii-film-critics-society-2017-nominees-list|title=Hawaii Film Critics Society 2017 Nominees List|first=Barry|last=Wurst|date=January 6, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220929014125/http://hifilmcriticssociety.org/hawaii-film-critics-society-2017-nominees-list|archive-date=September 29, 2022|url-status=usurped}}</ref>
|-
| [[Satellite Awards]]
| Best Visual Effects
| ''Alien: Covenant''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.pressacademy.com/2017-winners/|title=2017 Winners|access-date=September 26, 2022|publisher=[[International Press Academy]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928203319/https://www.pressacademy.com/2017-winners/|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Las Vegas Film Critics Society|Sierra Awards]]
| Best Supporting Actor
| Michael Fassbender
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" |<ref>{{cite web|url=https://nextbestpicture.com/the-2017-las-vegas-film-critics-society-lvfcs-winners/|title=The 2017 Las Vegas Film Critics Society (LVFCS) Winners|first=Matt|last=Neglia|date=December 18, 2017|accessdate=November 5, 2024}}</ref>
|-
|rowspan="10"| 2018
| [[Australian Production Design Guild|Australian Production Design Guild Awards]]
| Docklands Studios Melbourne Award for Excellence in Screen – Acknowledging Excellence in Design and Practice or Artisan Excellence on Australian or International Productions
| Ian Gracie (Supervising Art Director)<br>Damien Drew (Senior Art Director)<br>Michelle McGahey (Senior Art Director)<br>Charlie Revai (Art Director)<br>Jacinta Leong (Art Director)
| {{won}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref>{{cite web|url=https://apdg.org.au/awards/past-awards/2018apdgawardswinners|title=2018 APDG Awards Winners|access-date=September 26, 2022|publisher=[[Australian Production Design Guild]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220928203336/https://apdg.org.au/awards/past-awards/2018apdgawardswinners|archive-date=September 28, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Golden Trailer Awards]]
| Best Horror TV Spot
| ''Born Neo'', 20th Century Fox, Wild Card
|{{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;"|<ref name="GTrailer18">{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2018/05/golden-trailer-awards-2018-nominations-list-1202386445/|title=Golden Trailer Award Nominations: 'The Shape Of Water', 'Hitman's Bodyguard' Top List|first=Patrick|last=Hipes|date=May 9, 2018|access-date=September 26, 2022|work=[[Deadline Hollywood|Deadline]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221014201306/https://deadline.com/2018/05/golden-trailer-awards-2018-nominations-list-1202386445/|archive-date=October 14, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>
|-
| [[Saturn Awards]]
| [[Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film|Best Science Fiction Film]]
| ''Alien: Covenant''
| {{nom}}
| style="text-align:center;" | <ref name="Saturn">{{cite web|url=http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|title='Black Panther,' 'Walking Dead' Rule Saturn Awards Nominations|last=McNary|first=Dave|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|date=March 15, 2018|access-date=March 15, 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180316023438/http://variety.com/2018/film/news/saturn-awards-nominations-2018-black-panther-walking-dead-1202727752/|archive-date=March 16, 2018|url-status=live|df=mdy-all}}</ref>
|}

== Future ==
{{Further|Alien (franchise)#Future|l1=''Alien'' (franchise) § Future}}

=== Possible sequel ===
{{Anchor|Sequel|Sequels}}
In September 2015, Ridley Scott said he was planning two sequels to ''Prometheus'' that would lead into the first ''Alien'' film, adding, "Maybe [there will] even [be] a fourth film before we get back into the ''Alien'' franchise".<ref name="scified.com 3 Prometheus sequels">{{cite web |url=https://www.scified.com/news/ridley-scott-planning-3-prometheus-sequels-before-link-to-alien-is-made |title=Ridley Scott planning 3 Prometheus sequels before link to Alien is made! (by Chris Picard) |date=September 23, 2015 |website=scified.com |access-date= March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922200018/https://www.alien-covenant.com/news/ridley-scott-planning-3-prometheus-sequels-before-link-to-alien-is-made|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref name="theguardian.com three more Prometheus films">{{cite web|url=https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/23/ridley-scott-three-more-prometheus-films-alien|title=Ridley Scott plans three more Prometheus films before linking to Alien|first=Ben|last=Child|date=September 23, 2015|website=[[The Guardian]]|publisher=[[Guardian Media Group|Guardian News and Media Limited]]|access-date=March 30, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922200020/https://www.theguardian.com/film/2015/sep/23/ridley-scott-three-more-prometheus-films-alien|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Scott later confirmed in November that ''Alien: Covenant'' would be the first of three additional films in the ''Alien'' prequel series before linking up with the original ''Alien'',<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/11/14/prometheus-sequel-alien-paradise-lost-may-now-be-titled-alien-covenant|title=Prometheus Sequel Alien: Paradise Lost May Now Be Titled Alien: Covenant|first=Alex|last=Osborn|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis, LLC]]|date=November 14, 2015|access-date=16 October 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922201626/http://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/14/prometheus-sequel-alien-paradise-lost-may-now-be-titled-alien-covenant|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=https://hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/ridley-scott-alien-covenant-is-844051|title=Ridley Scott: 'Alien: Covenant' Is First of 3 Films Before Linking Up With Original 'Alien'|date=November 26, 2015|access-date=September 5, 2022|first=Pip|last=Bulbeck|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|publisher=[[Eldridge Industries|Eldridge Industries, LLC]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922212110/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/ridley-scott-alien-covenant-is-first-3-films-before-linking-up-original-alien-844051/|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> and stated that the ''Prometheus'' sequels would reveal who created the xenomorph aliens.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/11/11/ridley-scott-says-prometheus-sequels-will-reveal-who-created-aliens|title=Ridley Scott Says Prometheus Sequels Will Reveal Who Created Aliens|first1=Chris|last1=Tilly|first2=Leigh|last2=Singer|work=[[IGN]]|publisher=[[Ziff Davis, LLC]]|date=November 11, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125024637/https://www.ign.com/articles/2015/11/11/ridley-scott-says-prometheus-sequels-will-reveal-who-created-aliens|archive-date=January 25, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> 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.<ref name="Sydney">{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/ridley-scott-promises-a-return-to-alienstyle-horror-in-alien-covenant-20170222-guj8wk.html|title=Ridley Scott promises a return to Alien-style horror in Alien: Covenant|first=Garry|last=Maddox|date=March 3, 2017|access-date=September 6, 2022|newspaper=[[The Sun-Herald|The Sunday Morning Herald]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220922200114/https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/movies/ridley-scott-promises-a-return-to-alienstyle-horror-in-alien-covenant-20170223-guj8wk.html|archive-date=September 22, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In March 2017, Scott said, "If you really want a franchise, I can keep cranking it for another six. I'm not going to close it down again. No way."<ref name="Sydney"/>

Scott responded to a question about Sigourney Weaver reprising her role as Ellen Ripley in the prequels that, "Well, we're heading toward the back end of the first ''Alien'' so [using [[Computer-generated imagery|CGI]]] may be feasible. Ripley's going to be somebody's daughter, obviously. We're coming in from the back end. The time constraints of what's the time between this film, where we leave David going off heading for that colony, I think you're probably two films out from even considering her."<ref name="CB-20170801">{{cite web |last=Reyes |first=Michael |title=How The Next Alien Movies Could Incorporate Ripley, According To Ridley Scott |url=https://cinemablend.com/news/1679369/how-the-next-alien-movies-could-incorporate-ripley-according-to-ridley-scott |date=August 1, 2017 |work=CinemaBlend |access-date=September 3, 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220605163550/https://www.cinemablend.com/news/1679369/how-the-next-alien-movies-could-incorporate-ripley-according-to-ridley-scott|archive-date=June 5, 2022|url-status=live }}</ref> In the audio commentary for ''Alien: Covenant'', Scott confirmed that a sequel to ''Alien: Covenant'', tentatively referred to as "''Alien: Covenant'' 2", is being written by John Logan, with Fassbender, Waterston, and McBride reprising their roles. Scott also confirmed that the film will complete his prequel series, leading directly into the events of ''Alien''.<ref>''Alien: Covenant'' – Audio Commentary</ref>{{Full citation needed|date=March 2025}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://collider.com/alien-covenant-trivia/|title='Alien: Covenant': 38 Things We Learned from Ridley Scott's Audio Commentary|first=Adam|last=Chitwood|work=[[Collider (website)|Collider]]|date=September 1, 2017|accessdate=January 14, 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125024801/https://collider.com/alien-covenant-trivia/|archive-date=January 25, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025}}

In September 2017, the chief executive officer of 20th Century Fox, [[Stacey Snider]], stated that, although ''Alien: Covenant'' was a financial disappointment, the studio still intended to proceed with Scott's sequel.<ref>{{cite magazine|url=https://variety.com/2017/film/features/stacey-snider-21st-century-fox-first-year-1202563799/|title=Fox's Stacey Snider Gets Candid About Netflix, Diversity and the Future of Wolverine|first=Brent|last=Lang|date=September 20, 2017|magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]|access-date= February 9, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220921185736/https://variety.com/2017/film/features/stacey-snider-21st-century-fox-first-year-1202563799/|archive-date=September 21, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> Just days later, screen-graphics designer Carl Braga announced that the project had been delayed.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-canceled/|title=Alien: Covenant Sequel Reportedly Canceled By Fox|first=Dan|last=Zinski|date=December 26, 2017|access-date=September 26, 2022|publisher=[[Screen Rant]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220902182513/https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-canceled/|archive-date=September 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref>{{better source needed|date=March 2025|reason=Per [[WP:RSP/VALNET]], we try to find alternatives to ValNet published sources with some exceptions}} In October, Scott stated that "''Alien: Covenant'' 2" will focus more on the androids and Artificial intelligences (A.I.s), as opposed to the xenomorphs. He said, "I think the evolution of the Alien himself is nearly over, but what I was trying to do was transcend and move to another story, which would be taken over by A.I.s. The world that the A.I. might create as a leader if he finds himself on a new planet. We have actually quite a big layout for the next one."<ref>{{cite web |title=Ridley Scott Wants the Next 'Alien' Movie to Focus on Artificial Intelligence Instead of the Xenomorph |first=Michael |last=Nordine |work=[[Indiewire]] |date=October 8, 2017 |url=http://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/ridley-scott-alien-artificial-intelligence-1201884993/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220125002545/https://www.indiewire.com/2017/10/ridley-scott-alien-artificial-intelligence-1201884993/|archive-date=January 25, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In November 2018, the film's plot details were reported to take place on LV-426 (the world visited by the ''Nostromo'' in the original ''Alien'' film), with the extraterrestrial Engineers being featured in the film and being in pursuit of David following his nefarious actions against Planet 4.<ref>{{cite magazine |author=<!--Staff writer(s); no by-line.--> |title= Empire Classics Presents Alien: The Complete History |magazine= [[Empire (film magazine)|Empire]] |location= [[United Kingdom]] |publisher= [[Bauer Media Group|Bauer Consumer Media]] |date= February 9, 2019}}</ref>

At the 2019 [[CinemaCon]], it was stated that, after its [[Acquisition of 21st Century Fox by Disney|acquisition of 21st Century Fox]], Disney "will continue to create new stories" in the ''Alien'' series.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/new-avengers-endgame-scene-shows-captain-marvel-joining-team-1199385|title=New 'Avengers: Endgame' Footage Hits CinemaCon|work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]|first1=Carolyn|last1=Giardina|first2=Pamela|last2=McClintock |date=April 3, 2019 |access-date=April 28, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221004122605/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/new-avengers-endgame-scene-shows-captain-marvel-joining-team-1199385/|archive-date=October 4, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In May, ''[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]]'' reported that another prequel was reportedly "in the script phase", with Ridley Scott attached to direct,<ref>{{cite news |last=Schaefer |first=Sandy |title=Alien: Covenant Sequel Reportedly Being Written, Ridley Scott to Direct |url=https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-writer-director-ridley-scott/ |date=May 27, 2019 |work=[[Screen Rant]] |access-date=May 27, 2019|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029095122/https://screenrant.com/alien-covenant-sequel-writer-director-ridley-scott/|archive-date=October 29, 2021|url-status=live}}</ref> but it was still uncertain due to the disappointing box office returns of ''Alien: Covenant''.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/ridley-scott-alien-prequel-covenant-box-office-1202145138/|title=Ridley Scott Still Planning Third 'Alien' Prequel — Can Franchise Survive 'Covenant' Box Office Bomb? |first=Zack|last=Sharf|date=May 28, 2019 |access-date=October 5, 2022|publisher=[[IndieWire]]|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221007225614/https://www.indiewire.com/2019/05/ridley-scott-alien-prequel-covenant-box-office-1202145138/|archive-date=October 7, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In September 2020, Scott confirmed that a new ''Alien'' film was in development but it was unclear if this would be a sequel to ''Alien: Covenant''.<ref>{{cite web | last=Thompson | first=Simon | title=Ridley Scott Talks 'Raised By Wolves' And The Future Of The 'Alien' Franchise | work=[[Forbes]] | date=February 9, 2020 | url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2020/09/02/ridley-scott-interview-raised-by-wolves-hbo-max-alien-franchise-future-sequel-news/ | access-date=March 23, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221002204301/https://www.forbes.com/sites/simonthompson/2020/09/02/ridley-scott-interview-raised-by-wolves-hbo-max-alien-franchise-future-sequel-news/|archive-date=October 2, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In August 2021, however, a news report concluded that a sequel was uncertain.<ref name="SD-20210831">{{cite news |last=Evangelista |first=Chris |title=Will There Be A Sequel To Alien: Covenant? Here's What We Know |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/591541/will-there-be-a-sequel-to-alien-covenant-heres-what-we-know/ |date=August 31, 2021 |work=[[SlashFilm]] |access-date=September 1, 2021|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220120054758/https://www.slashfilm.com/591541/will-there-be-a-sequel-to-alien-covenant-heres-what-we-know/|archive-date=January 20, 2022|url-status=live }}</ref><ref name="YN-20210901">{{cite news |last=Nero |first=Dom |title=It's Time to Redeem 'Prometheus' |url=https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/time-redeem-prometheus-110000443.html |date=September 1, 2021 |work=[[Yahoo News]] |access-date=September 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220101034306/https://www.yahoo.com/lifestyle/time-redeem-prometheus-110000443.html|archive-date=January 1, 2022|url-status=live}}</ref> In October 2024, Scott confirmed he is developing a new ''Alien'' film.<ref>{{cite news|title=Inside Ridley Scott's Producing Empire: 'Tell Me the Film in Two Sentences' |url= https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-features/ridley-scott-free-movies-shows-1236047958/}}</ref> On June 1, 2025, Screenrant published an interview with Ridley Scott where he announced his departure from the ''Alien'' franchise, saying "where it's going now, I think I've done enough, and I just hope it goes further", while expressing his critiques of the ''Alien'' sequels.<ref>{{cite news|title=Ridley Scott Is Done With Alien After Revitalizing The Franchise: "I Think I've Done Enough" |url= https://screenrant.com/alien-franchise-future-ridley-scott-done/}}</ref>

=== Follow-up ===
{{main|Alien: Romulus}}
By March 2022, [[Fede Álvarez]] was attached to write and direct a new film in the series; he pitched his own story to the studio that was said to be "unconnected" to previous films in the franchise.<ref name="Hulu">{{cite web |last=Kit |first=Borys |date=4 March 2022 |title=New ''Alien'' Movie in the Works With ''Don't Breathe'' Filmmaker Fede Álvarez (Exclusive) |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alien-movie-fede-alvarez-20th-century-studios-1235037155/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220903040732/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/movies/movie-news/alien-movie-fede-alvarez-20th-century-studios-1235037155/ |archive-date=September 3, 2022 |access-date=March 4, 2022 |work=[[The Hollywood Reporter]]}}</ref> [[20th Century Studios]] announced in March 2023 that a new ''Alien'' film would begin production the same month.<ref name="New ‘Alien’ Movie Starts">{{cite web |last1=Flam |first1=Charna |title=New 'Alien' Movie Starts Filming in March, Reveals Cryptic Synopsis and Full Cast |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/new-alien-movie-plot-synopsis-full-cast-1235542570/ |work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=March 3, 2023|accessdate=December 6, 2023}}</ref> The film, ''[[Alien: Romulus]]'', is set between the events of ''Alien'' (1979) and ''[[Aliens (film)|Aliens]]'' (1986), featuring narrative ties to ''Prometheus'' and ''Alien: Covenant'' in the form of the films' black goo "Prometheus' fire" being regrown by [[Weyland-Yutani]],<ref>{{cite web|url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/alien-romulus-set-between-first-two-cailee-spaeny-1235810521|title='Alien: Romulus' Star Cailee Spaeny Confirms New Entry Is Set Between the First Two Films|first=Jackson|last=Kim Murphy|work=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |date=November 27, 2023|accessdate=December 6, 2023}}</ref> and was released in theaters on August 16, 2024.<ref>{{cite magazine |last1=Rubin |first1=Rebecca |date=June 13, 2023 |accessdate=December 6, 2023 |title=Disney Dates New ''Star Wars'' Movie, Shifts ''Deadpool 3'' and Entire Marvel Slate, Delays ''Avatar'' Sequels Through 2031 |url=https://variety.com/2023/film/news/disney-star-wars-delays-marvel-avatar-sequel-release-dates-1235642363/ |url-status=live |magazine=[[Variety (magazine)|Variety]] |publisher=[[Penske Media Corporation]] |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205162732/https://variety.com/2023/film/news/disney-star-wars-delays-marvel-avatar-sequel-release-dates-1235642363/ |archive-date=December 5, 2023 }}</ref>

== See also ==
* [[List of films featuring extraterrestrials]]

== Notes ==
{{Notelist}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==

* {{Official website}}
* {{IMDb title}}
* {{TCMDb title|id=2032701}}
* {{Mojo title}}
* {{Metacritic film}}
* {{Rotten Tomatoes}}

{{Alien (franchise)}}
{{Ridley Scott}}
{{John Logan}}
{{Michael Green}}


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{{Wikipedia attribution|original_title=Alien: Covenant|access_date=2026-02-25}}