a re-release of ALIEN & ALIENS with everything from new ALIEN comics, digital games, action figures and high-end collectables!
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The slowly paced, then frantically cut original trailer above perfectly captured the film’s tone as did the the tagline -“In space…no one can hear you scream.” As a 12 year old film geek, weaned on Horror & Scifi genres, the years between basking in the wondrous achievement of Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the benevolent E.T. The Extraterrestrial, sat coiled awaiting me like H.R. Gigers nightmare creation, Ridley Scott’s horror/scifi masterpiece ALIEN.
Alone, in the dark, the joy fictional space exploration gave me slowly morhped into a visceral feeling of dread, claustrophobia and panic that enveloped me and the doomed crew of the interstellar ore-refinery Nostromo.
ALIEN was a transformatative movie going experience. In hindsight, three things in particular stood out for me. One, I’d never rooted for a female protagonist with palatable anger at my gender prior to Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley. The extravehicular “Space Jockey” scene post, Kane’s face hugger attack and her stand off at the ship’s airlock with Capt. Dallas (Tom Skerrit), I recall thinking “why won’t they just listen to her?” Ripley is undermined at every turn by Chief Engineer Parker (Yaphett Koto) his lackey Brett (Harry Dean Stanton) and literal “Company Man” Ash (Ian Holm) who brutally attacks her after she’d discovered his plans. I think that’s the moment I became a feminist. Two, Kane’s “delivery” after apparent recovery at his last meal (fun fact: the actors, besides John Hurt naturally, were totally unaware going into the scene what would happen, their reactions were genuine) ALIEN was a true melding of my favorite genres, Sci-Fi & Horror. The third was the old school horror trick of delayed reveal and orchestral “jump” moments until the gloriously realized xenomorph’s final reveal. I collected every book I could about The late H.R. Giger and crew, they helped inspire me to pursue a career in Visual Arts.
The James Cameron Directed sequel ALIENS replaced the straight up horror for incredible action set pieces, memorable characters and the most quotable dialogue of the series. Hicks’ (Bill Paxton) “Game over man!” is universal. Ripley’s war cry “GET AWAY FROM HER YOU BITCH!” defending Newt in full beast mode from the Alien Queen cemented Ellen Ripley as one of the greatest heroines in film. ALIENS remains a pinnacle of the Action /Sci-Fi genre. The ALIEN film series is one of the most beloved and enduring horror sci-fi action franchises of all time for good reason. They’ve spawned everything from apparel to video games to comic books and more. On April 26th – (a nod to LV-426, the planet from the iconic ALIEN films.) ALIEN DAY (#AlienDay426) will encompass a wide range of executions including nationwide screenings, never-before-seen consumer product activations and the kickoff of the ALIEN: Ultimate Trivia Challenge, allowing fans to test their ALIEN knowledge – with the chance to win memorable prizes every 42.6 minutes on Twitter. I can hardly contain myself!
In regards to the announcement, Jeffrey Godsick, President of Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products stated:
“The ALIEN franchise holds a special place not only within the universe of Fox but with movie enthusiasts across the galaxy.” Godsick added, “We noticed that fans of the ALIEN films were starting to rally around the calendar date of April 26th — given the connection to the planet LV-426. Quite simply, it gave us the idea to do something special on this day; to officially mark the occasion alongside fans and to build excitement online, in stores and once again, in theaters.”
No matter what your into, Twentieth Century Fox Consumer Products and their partners, Dark Horse Comics, Funko, NECA, Sideshow Collectibles, Audible, Titan Books, Zen Studios and more than a Dozen other partners join forces to mark ALIEN DAY on Planet Earth!
Sneaker Heads:
Reebok Alien Stomper Sneakers Reebok to release an exact replica of the ALIEN High-Top Stompers worn by Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley! One of the most-requested licensed products, the Reebok Alien Stomper, as well as the mid top version worn by Lance Henrikson as the Android Bishop, are being released by Reebok in limited edition to mark ALIEN DAY. The iconic movie sneakers will be available beginning April 26th at Reebok.com and select Reebok stores worldwide.
Film Geeks:
Alien & Aliens will Return to Theaters April 26th the ALIEN franchise returns to theaters across the country. Alamo Drafthouse is producing a nationwide screening program on April 26th returning the ALIEN franchise to theaters in over 20 cities, including Austin, New York, Los Angeles and Dallas at participating Alamo locations as well as partner venues will showcase a double-feature presentation of ALIEN and ALIENS. In Alamo locations, each pre-ordered ticket includes a Mondo-designed ALIEN T-shirt, released exclusively for the event screenings. Additionally, the screenings will be accompanied by exclusive ALIEN merchandise—including apparel, accessories, posters and records—from pop-culture company Mondo. Tickets are on sale NOW! Check out a full list of participating theaters, visit http://AlamoAliens.com.
As you may already know ALIEN:COVENANT, Directed by Sir Ridley Scott (ALIEN, BLADERUNNER, GLADIATOR, THELMA & LOUISE, PROMETHEUS, THE MARTIAN) starring Michael Fassbender ( X-MEN Franchise, 12 YEARS A SLAVE, PROMETHEUS,STEVE JOBS, MACBETH) will be released August 2017 by 20th Century Fox.
Action Figure Collectors:
NECA announces the first ever Lieutenant Vasquez (Jenette Goldstein) and Newt (Carrie Henn) figure; as well as the release of a Kenner toy-Inspired Ellen Ripley figure. An ALIENS Queen & Power Loader and Ripley figure set in the tradition of their wildly popular ReAction retro action figure series from Funko. LLC HOT TOYS The Hong Kong-based collectible manufacturer is announcing an all-new ALIEN Ripley 1/6th figure. KOTOBUKIYA Japanese manufacturer unleashes an assortment of highly detailed collectables this spring including a 1:10 scale Warrior Drone ARTFX+ statue from ALIENS and mini “Big Chap” figurines posed to strike up conversation around your home or office! An all-new ALIEN Internecivus Raptus Statue from Sideshow Collectibles. Japan-based toy company MEDICOM TOY will release VCD (vinyl super deformed) ALIEN figure and retro style ALIEN figure via Diamond Comics.
Comic Book Geeks:
Dark Horse Comics expounds upon Brian Wood and Tristan Jones’ excellent ongoing ALIENS comic book series with exclusive covers for participating retailers and a deluxe 30th anniversary hardcover version of the original ALIENS series from 1986. DC ENTERTAINMENT with Dark Horse Comics, will re-release the fan-favorite Batman VS ALIEN comics for the first time in over a decade!
Bibliophiles:
Titan Books launches the brand-new novel Alien: Invasion (The Rage War book 2) by Tim Lebbon. Available on Audible; a brand new audio drama, Alien: Out of the Shadows – starring Rutger Hauer (Blade Runner and Batman Begins) in his first audio role, Matthew Lewis (Harry Potter film series) and Corey Johnson (The Bourne Ultimatum) is a terrifying fight for survival and an intense struggle between human and artificial intelligence. INSIGHT EDITIONS illustrated pop culture book publisher will release the trade edition of the Weyland-Yutani Report.
Looters:
FRIGHT RAGS the Horror apparel retailer will release limited edition ALIEN-themed apparel! San Francisco based designer toy and apparel company SUPER 7 has developed several toys in honor of the ALIEN DAY: ALIEN Muscle figures on card; ALIEN ReAction carrying case with exclusive ALIEN figure; Nostromo playset Kit Bash kit; Japanese vinyl Queen and ALIENS Glassware. LOOT CRATE , the monthly mystery subscription box for pop culture fans will launch a limited-edition ALIENS 30th Anniversary crate on 4/26 filled with exclusive merchandise, collectibles and more from all core licensee partners.
Gamers:
ALIEN DIGITAL PINBALL– Fox Digital Entertainment, in partnership with Zen Studios, will launch three digital pinball tables via iTunes, Google Play, PlayStation Network, XBOX Live and Steam. THE UPPER DECK COMPANY leading trading card company will launch ALIENS Anthology Collector Trading Card and the ALIENS “Vs” Trading Card Game system USAopoly launches a pair of classic board games with a thrilling twist: YAHTZEE® ALIEN VS PREDATOR™ and CLUE®: ALIEN VS PREDATOR™
Trivia Buffs:
ALIEN: Ultimate Trivia Challenge
The hallmark of ALIEN DAY will be a 24-hour Twitter contest. Every 42.6 minutes a new ALIEN trivia question will be presented via the official Alien Anthology twitter account, @AlienAnthology. In advance of the contest kickoff, beginning at 12 AM ET on April 26th, fans will need to pre-register their Twitter handle at ALIEN Anthology (http://AlienAnthology.com).
Each trivia question (35 in a 24-hour cycle) will have various prize packages from 20th Century Fox’s ALIEN franchise licensing partners. To qualify to win the corresponding prize, participants must “Reply” to the initial “question tweet,” correctly answer the question, and use the #AlienDay426 and #Contest hashtags. A winner (or “winners” when multiple prizes are offered) will be selected for each of the questions.
Full contest rules and details can be found on the ALIEN Anthology website: http://AlienAnthology.com
Join the #AlienDay426 conversation on Twitter and Instagram @AlienAnthology and on Facebook at http://facebook.com/alienanthology Feel free to post in the comments section below or shout out to me on Twitter thatalexyarde with hashtag #AlienDay426 with all your Alien Day scores & shenanigans!
all art -20th Century Fox