Trivia: Much of this trivia has now been added to the "Writing" section
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==Merchandising==
==Merchandising==
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Around and shortly after ''Alien<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s release in theaters, a number of merchandise items were produced to coincide with the film. Adaptations of the movie included a [[Alien (novel)|novelization]] by [[Alan Dean Foster]] (in both adult and "junior" versions), ''[[The Officially Authorized Magazine of the Movie Alien]]'', a promotional magazine from [[Warren Publishing]] that also included articles on the film, a coffee table [[Alien (photonovel)|photonovel]] produced by [[Avon Publications]], and a comic strip adaptation of the film by ''Heavy Metal'' magazine entitled ''[[Alien: The Illustrated Story]]''.
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A number of merchandise items were produced to coincide with ''Alien<nowiki>'</nowiki>''s release. Adaptations of the movie included a [[Alien (novel)|novelization]] by [[Alan Dean Foster]] (in both adult and "junior" versions), ''[[The Officially Authorized Magazine of the Movie Alien]]'', a promotional magazine from [[Warren Publishing]] that also included articles on the film, a coffee table [[Alien (photonovel)|photonovel]] produced by [[Avon Publications]], and a comic strip adaptation of the film by ''Heavy Metal'' magazine entitled ''[[Alien: The Illustrated Story]]''.
A behind-the-scene book was released to accompany the film, titled ''[[The Book of Alien]]'', containing many concept sketches and production photographs, as well as details on the making of the film. [[Topps]] released a set of [[Alien Movie Photo Cards|trading cards]] based on the film. A [[Alien (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] album was also released as an LP featuring selections of Goldsmith's score, and a single of the main theme was released in 1980. ''Heavy Metal'' also produced an ''Alien'' calendar for the 1980 year.
A behind-the-scene book was released to accompany the film, titled ''[[The Book of Alien]]'', containing many concept sketches and production photographs, as well as details on the making of the film. [[Topps]] released a set of [[Alien Movie Photo Cards|trading cards]] based on the film. A [[Alien (soundtrack)|soundtrack]] album was also released as an LP featuring selections of Goldsmith's score, and a single of the main theme was released in 1980. ''Heavy Metal'' also produced an ''Alien'' calendar for the 1980 year.
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''Alien'' notably establishes several elements and plot points that would become recurring conventions for the rest of the [[Alien (franchise)|franchise]], being reused in most if not all of the subsequent ''Alien'' movies and many of the video games based on the series. These include:
''Alien'' notably establishes several elements and plot points that would become recurring conventions for the rest of the [[Alien (franchise)|franchise]], being reused in most if not all of the subsequent ''Alien'' movies and many of the video games based on the series. These include:
*'''References to [[Joseph Conrad]]''': The ''[[USCSS Nostromo|Nostromo]]'' and the ''[[Narcissus]]'' are both named after aspects taken from Conrad's literary works. Spacecraft in {{A2}} (the {{USS|Sulaco}}) and {{A3}} (the ''[[USCSS Patna|Patna]]'') would similarly be named in reference Conrad, as would ships featured in the video games ''[[Aliens versus Predator 2]]'' (the {{USS|Verloc}}), {{AVP2010}} (the {{USS|Marlow}}), {{ACM}} (the {{USS|Sephora}}) and ''[[Alien: Isolation]]'' (the ''[[USCSS Torrens|Torrens]]'').
*'''References to [[Joseph Conrad]]''': The ''[[USCSS Nostromo|Nostromo]]'' and the ''[[Narcissus]]'' are both named after aspects taken from Conrad's literary works. Spacecraft in {{A2}} (the {{USS|Sulaco}}) and {{A3}} (the ''[[USCSS Patna|Patna]]'') would similarly be named in reference Conrad, as would ships featured in the video games ''[[Aliens versus Predator 2]]'' (the {{USS|Verloc}}), {{AVP2010}} (the {{USS|Marlow}}), {{ACM}} (the {{USS|Sephora}}) and ''[[Alien: Isolation]]'' (the ''[[USCSS Torrens|Torrens]]'').
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*'''Flamethrowers''': Following on from the [[Flame Thrower (Nostromo)|Flame Thrower]] featured in ''Alien'', flamethrower weapons would feature prominently in ''Aliens'' (the [[M240 Incinerator Unit]]), {{A4}} (the [[Draco Double Burner]]) and {{Pro1}} (the [[Flamethrower (Prometheus)|Prometheus Flamethrower]]). While ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' did not feature flamethrower weaponry, fire was still used against the [[The Dragon|Dragon]] in the film. Flamethrowers also feature in the vast majority of the video games based on the series.
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*'''Flamethrowers''': Following on from the [[Flame Thrower (Nostromo)|Flame Thrower]] featured in ''Alien'', flamethrower weapons would feature prominently in ''Aliens'' (the [[M240 Incinerator Unit]]), {{A4}} (the [[Draco Double Burner]]) and {{Pro1}} (the [[Flamethrower (Prometheus)|Prometheus Flamethrower]]). While ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' did not feature flamethrower weaponry, fire was still used against the [[The Dragon|Dragon]] in the film. Flamethrowers are also a staple element of video games based on the series.
*'''Vent shafts''': ''Alien'', ''Aliens'' and ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' all feature scenes set inside ventilation shafts, as do many of the video games in the franchise.
*'''Vent shafts''': ''Alien'', ''Aliens'' and ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'' all feature scenes set inside ventilation shafts, as do many of the video games in the franchise.
*'''Mess halls''': Similarly, ''Alien'', ''Aliens'', ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'', ''Alien Resurrection'' and ''Prometheus'' all have scenes set in a mess hall, often as a means to introduce one or more of the major characters in the film.
*'''Mess halls''': Similarly, ''Alien'', ''Aliens'', ''Alien<sup>3</sup>'', ''Alien Resurrection'' and ''Prometheus'' all have scenes set in a mess hall, often as a means to introduce one or more of the major characters in the film.
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==Trivia==
==Trivia==
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*The genesis of ''Alien'' arose out of Dan O'Bannon's dissatisfaction with his first feature, ''Dark Star'', which John Carpenter directed in 1974. Because of that film's severe low budget, its alien creature was quite patently a beach ball. For his second attempt, O'Bannon wanted to craft an altogether more convincing specimen. The goofiness of ''Dark Star'' also led him in the direction of an intense horror movie.
*According to director [[Ridley Scott]]'s commentaries on home versions of the film, the gore and horror in ''Alien'' were greatly influenced by classic 1974 horror film ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'', of which Scott is a fan. Ridley Scott has even stated in respect to the production of ''Alien'' that he wanted to make "a slasher movie in space".
*According to director [[Ridley Scott]]'s commentaries on home versions of the film, the gore and horror in ''Alien'' were greatly influenced by classic 1974 horror film ''The Texas Chainsaw Massacre'', of which Scott is a fan. Ridley Scott has even stated in respect to the production of ''Alien'' that he wanted to make "a slasher movie in space".
*Originally, the film was to be directed by [[Walter Hill]], but he pulled out and gave the job to [[Ridley Scott]].
*Originally, the film was to be directed by [[Walter Hill]], but he pulled out and gave the job to [[Ridley Scott]].
*All of the names of the main characters were changed by Walter Hill and [[David Giler]] during the revision of the original script by [[Dan O'Bannon]] and [[Ronald Shusett]]. The script by O'Bannon and Shusett also had a clause indicating that all of the characters are "unisex", meaning they could be cast with male or female actors. However, Shusett and O'Bannon never thought of casting Ripley as a female character.
*All of the names of the main characters were changed by Walter Hill and [[David Giler]] during the revision of the original script by [[Dan O'Bannon]] and [[Ronald Shusett]]. The script by O'Bannon and Shusett also had a clause indicating that all of the characters are "unisex", meaning they could be cast with male or female actors. However, Shusett and O'Bannon never thought of casting Ripley as a female character.
*The stylized artwork that Ridley Scott used to create the storyboards that got Fox to double the budget from $4.2 million to $8.4 million were inspired by the artwork of the late comic book legendary artist [[Mœbius]], who also designed the character costumes, the [[IRC Mk.50 Compression suit]], the insignia and the crew uniforms for the film.
*The stylized artwork that Ridley Scott used to create the storyboards that got Fox to double the budget from $4.2 million to $8.4 million were inspired by the artwork of the late comic book legendary artist [[Mœbius]], who also designed the character costumes, the [[IRC Mk.50 Compression suit]], the insignia and the crew uniforms for the film.
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*The writing partnership between Dan O'Bannon and Ronald Shusett came about when Shusett approached O'Bannon about helping him adapt a Philip K. Dick story that he had acquired the rights to. That was "''We Can Remember It for You Wholesale''", which later became ''Total Recall'' (starring [[Arnold Schwarzenegger]]). O'Bannon then said that he had an idea that he was stuck on about an alien aboard a spaceship and that he needed some assistance. Shusett agreed to help out and they tackled the alien movie first as they felt it would have been the cheaper of the two to make.
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*Originally, no film companies wanted to make the film, including [[20th Century Fox]]. They stated various reasons, most being that it was too bloody. It was not until Walter Hill came on board that 20th Century Fox agreed to make the film, on the condition that the violence was toned down; even after agreeing to make the movie, Fox still rejected the first cut for being "too bloody".
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*The original title of the film was "''Star Beast''".
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*Originally, no film companies wanted to make the film, including [[20th Century Fox]]. They stated various reasons, most being that it was too bloody. The only producer who wanted to make the film was Roger Corman, and it was not until Walter Hill came on board that 20th Century Fox agreed to make the film, on the condition that the violence was toned down; even after agreeing to make the movie, Fox still rejected the first cut for being "too bloody".
*It took around 11 weeks to build the sets for the film.
*It took around 11 weeks to build the sets for the film.
*Many of the crew dialogue scenes were improvised by the cast.<ref name="Saga"/>
*Many of the crew dialogue scenes were improvised by the cast.<ref name="Saga"/>