New book goes behind the scenes of Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant

Author Simon Ward has crafted a new behind-the-scenes account of a sci-fi film, this time the latest entry and third Ridley Scott-helmed film in his Alien series, Alien: Covenant. As you would expect, The Art and Making of Alien: Covenant features hundreds of photographs from what is probably the goriest film in the series. Like another sci-fi/horror mash-up film 10 Cloverfield Lane, it also has its share of surprises, particularly as it leaves viewers in suspense as they learn the kind of horror film unfolding isn’t what they first thought. Ward’s new book doesn’t reveal all the surprises, but enough to encourage readers to wait until they’ve seen the film to read the book. Since a book like this is mainly for the diehard Alien fan, this won’t be an issue to most of its readers.

The Art and Making of Alien: Covenant, like Ward’s previous works The Art and Making of Independence Day: Resurgence (reviewed here at borg.com) and Aliens: The Set Photography (reviewed here) is more about the making of the film than a traditional “art of” film resource. so don’t look for the typical concept art. You will see plenty of film stills, behind the scenes shots with the actors, and some good visuals of the film’s set design. Ward also moves step-by-step through the film, pulling in production staff and actors to give insight into the filmmaking process for this unique movie.

Ward interviewed director Ridley Scott, revealing Scott’s thought process behind this film and its place in the series, each key cast member discusses their view of their characters. Concept artist Steve Burg describes the differences between Alien: Covenant and the last film in the series, Prometheus. Creatures supervisor Conor O’Sullivan reveals the influences in the new Xenomorph designs. Director of photography Dariusz Wolski provides a look at scene set-up and his lighting and cinematography choices.

Alien: Covenant will probably be most remembered for the dual role of Michael Fassbender reprising his cyborg David from Prometheus and a new cyborg named Walter that accompanies the latest crew to encounter those facehugging aliens.

If anything is lacking in The Art and Making of Alien: Covenant, it’s more imagery of the H.R. Giger-inspired “Engineer” race, and concept art paintings from the film. But fans of the series who want to trace the newest developments in the evolution of the Xenomorphs and Ridley Scott’s wider vision of horror in outer space will find plenty to be happy with here.