The Untold Story of How Ridley Scott Saw ‘Star Wars’—and Ended Up Making ‘Alien’

It was a fateful day in the summer of 1977 when Ridley Scott first laid eyes on George Lucas’s groundbreaking space opera, ‘Star Wars’. Little did he know at the time, but this chance viewing would change the course of his own career in ways he could never have imagined.

Scott was immediately captivated by the epic scope and visually stunning world that Lucas had created, and he was inspired to push the boundaries of his own filmmaking abilities. He knew that he wanted to create a film that would leave a lasting impact on audiences, much like ‘Star Wars’ had done for him.

And so, the seeds were planted for what would eventually become ‘Alien’, a sci-fi masterpiece that would solidify Scott’s reputation as a visionary director. Drawing on his love for the horror genre and his fascination with the unknown mysteries of space, Scott crafted a story that was equal parts terrifying and awe-inspiring.

As he worked on bringing ‘Alien’ to life, Scott couldn’t help but reflect on the impact that ‘Star Wars’ had on him and his career. He knew that without Lucas’s groundbreaking film, he may never have been inspired to take the risks and make the bold creative choices that ultimately led to the creation of his own sci-fi classic.

‘Alien’ would go on to become a critical and commercial success, earning Scott widespread acclaim and cementing his status as one of the most influential filmmakers of his generation. But perhaps the greatest legacy of all is the way in which Scott’s exposure to ‘Star Wars’ sparked a creative fire within him, leading to the creation of a film that would forever change the landscape of science fiction cinema.

So the next time you watch ‘Alien’ and marvel at its haunting visuals and spine-tingling suspense, remember the untold story of how Ridley Scott saw ‘Star Wars’ and ended up making a film that would leave an indelible mark on the world of cinema.