The upcoming Alien television series from FX and director Noah Hawley has found its male lead in Black Mirror and Andor star Alex Lawther. As per a report by Deadline, the Alien series has now started production in Thailand, with Lawther part of the UK acting union Equity and thus not affiliated (and legally not allowed to join) the current SAG-AFTRA strike.
Best known for roles in the likes of Black Mirror, The End of the F***ing World, The Imitation Game, and The Last Duel, Alex Lawther will reportedly star in the Alien series as “a soldier named CJ.” Several other cast members have also been added to the Alien project, including Samuel Blenkin (Black Mirror, The Sandman), Essie Davis (The Babadook), and Adarsh Gourav (The White Tiger). These deals were made before the SAG-AFTRA strike began, with no SAG-AFTRA affiliated actors currently taking part in filming in Thailand.
A specter of labor disruption is looming over the Hollywood landscape as both writers and actors have initiated strikes, causing a ripple effect on various ongoing and forthcoming projects. Among the highly anticipated productions is FX’s television adaptation of the sci-fi classic, Alien. The series was conceived by the acclaimed showrunner, Noah Hawley. However, a recent Variety article reveals an interesting development – the international scope of the show and the mixed ensemble of SAG-AFTRA and Equity members in the cast could allow the series to navigate around the strikes and continue shooting.
The strife in Tinseltown has been ongoing for several months, with the writers’ strike seeming far from resolution. The entertainment industry is preparing for an extended period of uncertainty as actors are now joining the strikes. However, the Alien series is reportedly pressing ahead, leveraging its international context and diverse cast of actors from multiple acting unions to its advantage.
Set for pre-production in Thailand, the cast comprises a hybrid of SAG-AFTRA and Equity actors, which includes possibly two lead stars. This unique arrangement, coupled with the sprawling narrative of the series, allows segments of the show to be filmed without the participation of certain actors. This ability to persist through the strikes provides the Alien series with an edge that other stalled projects may not possess.
The Alien television series was initially announced in 2020. The show is a jewel in the crown for Disney. It was included in the acquisition of 20th Century Fox. The franchise is experiencing a resurgence, with a new film that recently concluded its shooting phase. Hawley shed light on what differentiates the upcoming show from its cinematic predecessors in a 2022 interview with Esquire. The narrative, according to Hawley, is not merely about terrifying creatures from outer space; instead, it delves into the societal implications of the human race caught between its primitive past and a future defined by artificial intelligence.
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Forging Ahead with a Futuristic Saga Amid Industry Turmoil
20th Century Fox
The series is set in a future Earth, teetering on the brink of an electricity monopoly, akin to a high-stakes Edison vs. Westinghouse vs. Tesla scenario. Beyond the established narrative of Weyland-Yutani Corporation’s AI developments, Hawley mused about the possibilities of rival companies exploring alternative paths to immortality, such as cyborg enhancements or transhuman downloads.
Hawley reiterated the series’ underlying theme – humanity’s precarious position between a hostile past and a lethal future – while emphasizing the need for the show to convey more than just horror and action. As he explained, the Alien series must probe deeper existential questions, infusing the narrative with captivating themes, all while leveraging the iconic world of Alien.
In the face of the ongoing strikes in Hollywood, the Alien series presents a fascinating study of a production forging ahead amidst industry turmoil. This bold move could very well set a precedent for other international projects navigating similar challenges in the future.
You can view the original article HERE.
