Don’t forget to wear your tinfoil hat and stock up on Reese’s Pieces – it’s going to be an E.T.-cellent time!
It’s National Alien Day! But, did you know why aliens get their own holiday?
From the movie “Alien”– a science fiction horror film that has become a beloved classic since its release in 1979. Directed by Ridley Scott and starring Sigourney Weaver, the movie tells the story of the crew of a commercial spaceship called the Nostromo, who encounters a terrifying extraterrestrial creature that wreaks havoc on the ship.
The film’s impact on popular culture has been so profound that it has inspired an entire holiday known as National Alien Day, which is celebrated every year on April 26th. This holiday gives fans of the franchise a chance to come together and celebrate their love of all things “Alien,” from the iconic creature designs to the suspenseful storytelling.
There’s even been an announcement and movie trailer that there will be an Alien movie remake.
Here’s some National Alien Day factoids:
- National Alien Day is observed every year on April 26th.
- The day was created to celebrate the science fiction movie franchise “Alien,” first released in 1979.
- Filmmaker Ridley Scott created the “Alien” franchise, which has since become a cultural phenomenon.
- National Alien Day is celebrated by fans of the franchise worldwide, who organize events, screenings, and cosplay competitions.
- April 26th was chosen because it marks the anniversary of the first “Alien” movie’s release in theaters.
- The franchise centers around a species of extraterrestrial creatures called “Xenomorphs,” which have become iconic in popular culture.
- National Alien Day has been officially recognized by 20th Century Fox and the Alien franchise’s official website, AlienUniverse.com.
- The day also serves as a platform for new releases.
Did you know?
The movie “Alien” is about the design of the titular creature, the Xenomorph, which was inspired by the artwork of Swiss surrealist H.R. Giger. The filmmakers approached Giger to design the creature after seeing his book “Necronomicon,” which featured many of his biomechanical paintings.
Giger’s design for the Xenomorph incorporated elements of both human and animal anatomy, as well as machinery and other mechanical components. His design was so successful that it became one of the most iconic monsters in movie history and has inspired countless imitations and homages in popular culture.
A little history:
The movie “Alien” was released in 1979 and was directed by Ridley Scott. The screenplay was written by Dan O’Bannon, based on a story by O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett. The film starred Sigourney Weaver, Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, John Hurt, Ian Holm, and Yaphet Kotto.
Sigourney Weaver was cast in the lead role of Ellen Ripley in “Alien” because she impressed director Ridley Scott and the film’s producers during auditions. Weaver had previously appeared in minor roles in theater and on television, but “Alien” was her first significant film role.
Weaver’s performance as Ripley was also a key factor in her getting the part. The character was initially written as a male, but Scott changed the character’s gender and cast Weaver after seeing her audition.
Weaver brought a strong, confident, and intelligent presence to the role, which helped make Ripley an iconic character in the science-fiction genre. Her portrayal of Ripley in “Alien” and subsequent sequels has been widely praised by fans and critics alike.
The 1979 science fiction horror film “Alien” was primarily filmed at Shepperton Studios in England. Some scenes were also filmed on location in other parts of England, such as the Nostromo’s exterior shots at a power station in Acton, West London. The movie was a critical and commercial success, grossing over $104 million worldwide on a budget of $11 million.
It received widespread critical acclaim for its innovative approach to the science fiction and horror genres and its solid performances and groundbreaking visual effects and won only one Academy Award for Best Visual Effects. The film was also nominated in two other categories: Best Art Direction and Best Sound.
In addition to the Academy Award, Alien has won several other awards, including the Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation, the Saturn Award for Best Science Fiction Film, and the BAFTA Award for Best Sound.
“Alien” spawned several sequels, prequels, spinoffs, and a successful video game franchise.
The movie’s iconic design elements, including the Xenomorph creature and the space suits worn by the characters, have become cultural touchstones and have influenced countless other films and TV shows in the years since its release.
