FX Chief Promises Big Surprises, but No ‘Ripley’ in Aliens TV Series

FX Chief John Landgraf provided an update at the network’s TCA winter tour panel today on Noah Hawley’s Alien series. “There are some big surprises in store for the audience,” exclaimed the network boss. But when asked by Deadline, he said Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley won’t be starring.

“Alien takes place before Ripley. It’s the first story that takes place in the Alien franchise on Earth,” said Landgraf. “So, it takes place on our planet. Right near the end of this century we’re in — so 70-odd years from now.”

He added, “Ripley won’t be a part of it or any of the other characters of Alien other than the alien itself.”

Despite five scripts already being in for Alien, and Fargo only one, Hawley will shoot the latter series first as it needs to go into production this winter given its Midwest setting.