Concept Art, Props, and Behind the Scenes Pictures from Alien (1979)

Link to photos.

Sketch for the Weylan-Yutani logo, which was designed by John Mollo and Ron Cobb. Eventually they went for an “Egyptian Wings” motif, but the interlocking W&Y would be revisited for the logo in the sequel.

Script page with emblem and costume designs

Ron Cobb also designed a flag for the United Americas -the union of South, Central and North America which took place in 2104- which is essentially the stars and stripes with one star rather than fifty. You can read about some of Alien’s hidden lore and history here: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2012/10/28/space-2122-2179/

Costume designs by Jean “Moebius” Giraud. You can read about Moebius’ work on Alien here: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2013/02/05/dressing-the-future/

More from Moebius.

Spacesuit concept by Cobb

Another Cobb piece.

Concept of the Narcissus escape shuttle by Ron Cobb. Relevant article: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2013/02/04/narcissus/

Sketch of the shuttle’s release mechanism, by Ridey Scott for the benefit of associate producer Ivor Powell.

The Narcissus’ docking bay. Note the Weylan-Yutani emblen and “E1”, meaning “Escape shuttle 1”. There were to be two, originally, though the second was out of commission.

The docking bay retracting.

Concept for the Nostromo, by Ron Cobb. Known as the “Snark” in earlier scripts. Another article on the creation of the Nostromo: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2012/10/23/space-truckin-the-nostromo/

Another concept for the Nostromo by Cobb. Obvious Egyptian motif here for the refinery.

Cobb’s concept of the Nostromo crew landing on the planetoid, which was originally envisioned as a Mars-like landscape.

Early effects shot of the Nostromo (painted yellow) approaching the planetoid.

This is the texture used for the planetary surface. The effect was created by, I believe, Dennis Lowe.

The underbelly of the Nostromo was originally lit up like an Xmas tree. Ridley saw it and ordered it changed.

The Nostromo and its refinery as seen in the film.

The Nostromo leaving the refinery.

A small model of Kane’s burial shroud.

The full prop, unused in the film. Relevant article: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2013/08/20/the-funeral/

Close-up of Kane’s shroud.

Alien writer Dan O’Bannon with Ron Cobb.

Ron Cobb’s concept for Jonesy’s catbox

Cobb and Giger.

Chris Foss’ design for the Space Jockey. Originally the crew were meant to return to their ship with the creature’s skull.

Cobb’s Space Jockey concept.

A Space Jockey concept attributed to Moebius, though I have never seen him acknowledge it as such. From an old magazine, the name of which escapes me at the moment.

Giger’s sketch of the Space Jockey.

Magazine report on the fate of the Space Jockey prop.

Dan O’Bannon’s sketch of the Alien, given to Giger when the artist was first commissioned to provide designs. You can read all about the Alien’s design here: http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/the-eighth-passenger/

Giger’s sketches of the Alien’s body shape.

Bolaji Badejo’s body cast being attended to by Roger Dicken.

Experiments with translucent suits were made, though ultimately abandoned.

A look at the translucent suit.

Bolaji Badejo, who portrayed the Alien, most notably nearer the end of the film – attacking Lambert and Parker, skulking through the Nostromo, and aboard the Narcissus.

Veteran stuntman Eddie Powell played the Alien in two key scenes: his abductions of both Brett and Dallas.

Ron Cobb’s illustration of the facehugger, from Dan O’Bannon’s original script.

Ridley with an early facehugger design.

Part of Giger’s custom made facehugger.

Giger at work on an early chestburster.

Giger’s chestburster maquette.

Roger Dicken and Ridley Scott with an early chestburster.

The final design.

Roger Dicken with the chestburster and facehugger, which he had helped refine.

Cobb’s concept of the Alien pyramid interior. Eventually nixed and then merged with the derelict ship.

Chris Foss’ derelict. This was actually O’Bannon’s favourite.

“This was a Moebius’ idea of the derelict. It’s actually rather nice and slightly archaic and faintly Victorian for some reason or other. I quite liked it but we finally decided it simply wasn’t strange enough – not unearthly enough. It was too normal, so therefore Giger came up at a much later stage and did another one.” ~ Ridley Scott, Fantastic Films, 1979. http://alienseries.wordpress.com/2012/12/02/the-derelictpyramidsilo/