The Xenomorph is one of the most terrifying monsters to ever grace movie screens, therefore it’s odd that they were made into scholars in Alien’s original script.
Alien was a dirty, nasty, space-set, terrifyingly effective horror film that thrilled with its “haunted house in space” theme. The success of the 1979 sci-fi horror sensation was due to its simplicity. However, the Xenomorph, the main nemesis in Alien was originally supposed to evolve into a wise, scholarly creature and fans can’t wrap their heads around it.
The original script for Alien drew from a variety of elements to piece together its horrifying story. Some portions of the script, were not frightening at all and were cut out. Among these unused portions was the discovery that the Xenomorphs were deadly monsters only for a portion of their life cycle before maturing into poised, worldly scholars and architects.
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According to an in-depth MonsterLegacy.net article, the deadly Xenomorph species was originally shown as a full-fledged society, with an enormous pyramid containing the means to facilitate their reproduction cycle. The alien’s life cycle was “very sophisticated” according to Dan O’Bannon – the scriptwriter. The first stage was an egg seeking a host, the second stage was the Chest burster which is the rampaging killing machine beloved by viewers and the Xenomorph was then supposed to evolve into sentient, rational beings.
This version of Xenomorph’s would have had apyramid hideaway created specifically for procreation, according to O’Bannon. The set was instead transformed into the derelict spaceship that houses the Space Jockey due to a lack of screen time and money. As a result, audiences were exposed to Ridley Scott’s narrative for a different alien race, and the franchise never returned to the Xenomorph homeworld, despite numerous failed attempts.
Alien aficionados are relieved that Ripley, the protagonist was not pitted against a scholarly, well-read Xenomorph instead of the gory homicidal machines that they are.
