View source for Alien Nation

{{Short description|Science fiction media franchise}}
{{other uses}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=March 2025}}
{{Infobox media franchise
| image= 
| imagesize =
| caption   =
| creator   = [[Rockne S. O'Bannon]]
| origin    = ''[[Alien Nation (film)|Alien Nation]]''
| owner     = [[20th Century Studios]]
| novels    = ''[[Alien Nation (novel series)|Alien Nation]]'' (1993–1995)
| comics    = ''[[Alien Nation (comics)|Alien Nation]]'' (1990–1992)
| films     = ''[[Alien Nation (film)|Alien Nation]]'' (1988)
| tv        = ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]'' (1989–1990)
| tv_films  = {{Plainlist|
* ''[[Alien Nation: Dark Horizon|Dark Horizon]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Alien Nation: Body and Soul|Body and Soul]]'' (1995)
* ''[[Alien Nation: Millennium|Millennium]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Alien Nation: The Enemy Within|The Enemy Within]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy|The Udara Legacy]]'' (1997)}}
}}

'''''Alien Nation''''' is an American [[science fiction]] [[media franchise]] created by [[Rockne S. O'Bannon]] (later known for ''[[Farscape]]''), comprising film, television, and other media productions about alien refugees living on Earth. The series began with the 1988 film ''[[Alien Nation (film)|Alien Nation]]'', which was adapted into a [[Fox Broadcasting Company|Fox Network]] television series [[Alien Nation (TV series)|of the same name]] in 1989. Fox cancelled the series abruptly after one season but continued the story in five [[Television film|TV movies]]. The series also produced other media and merchandising [[tie-in]]s, including novels and comics. Aside from the sci-fi angle, the franchise fits into many different genres including [[Drama (film and television)|drama]], [[police procedural]] and [[buddy cop]].

==Setting==
The franchise is set in the near future in the United States.  In 1991 a [[flying saucer]] crashes in the [[Mojave Desert]] containing a race of [[extraterrestrials in fiction|extraterrestrials]], the Tenctonese (called Newcomers by humanity) escaping from slavery under a cruel Overseer race. They resemble humans but have various anatomical differences (their erogenous zones are located on their backs and the male sex gives birth to babies) and have been bred to have greater physical strength and intelligence. The Newcomers are accepted as the latest immigrants to America, and the franchise explores issues around their integration into the multicultural society of the US.

==Film==
{{main|Alien Nation (film)}}
The franchise originated with the ''[[Alien Nation (film)|Alien Nation]]'' feature film, released by [[20th Century Fox]] in 1988. It portrays alien Tenctonese refugees, called Newcomers by humanity, integrating into human society in the [[Los Angeles]] area. The Newcomers, former slaves and overseers whose ship ran aground on Earth, attempt to make new lives for themselves on Earth. Combining elements of [[science fiction]] and [[police drama]] elements, the film stars [[Mandy Patinkin]] as Sam "George" Francisco, a new Newcomer detective in the [[Los Angeles Police Department]], and [[James Caan]] as Matthew Sykes, George's initially reluctant human partner.

==Television==
{{main|Alien Nation (TV series)}}

In 1989, Fox adapted the film into a new television series, also called ''[[Alien Nation (TV series)|Alien Nation]]'', for its burgeoning [[Fox Network]]. As with the film, the series follows the Newcomers, an alien race bred as slaves on a distant planet whose ship crashes on Earth. With their ship found to be irreparable, the authorities on Earth decide to settle the refugees in Los Angeles. Retaining the film's police drama format, the series stars [[Eric Pierpoint]] as George Francisco and [[Gary Graham]] as Matthew Sikes. Episodes explore themes of racism and the treatment of minority ethnic groups.<ref name=Mann>Mann, George (2012) [https://books.google.com/books?id=JtvABAAAQBAJ&dq=%22Alien+Nation%22+encyclopedia&pg=PA1993-IA10 "Alien Nation"]. ''The Mammoth Encyclopedia of Science Fiction''. Hachette. {{ISBN|1780337043}}. Accessed on December 3, 2014.</ref>

The series ran for one season of 21 episodes and a feature-length pilot episode, ending in 1990. Fox abruptly cancelled the series after the season.<ref name=Mann/> Beginning in 1994, the network continued the story in five [[TV movies]], which brought back the entire cast. The installments include ''[[Alien Nation: Dark Horizon|Dark Horizon]]'' (1994), ''[[Alien Nation: Body and Soul|Body and Soul]]'' (1995), ''[[Alien Nation: Millennium|Millennium]]'' (1996), ''[[Alien Nation: The Enemy Within|The Enemy Within]]'' (1996), and ''[[Alien Nation: The Udara Legacy|The Udara Legacy]]'' (1997), the last two made back-to-back.<ref>Gross, Ed (1998). ''Alien Nation: The Unofficial Companion''. Renaissance Books.</ref>

==Novels==
{{Main|Alien Nation (novel series)}}
[[Pocket Books]], a division of [[Simon & Schuster]], began publishing a novel series in connection with the franchise starting in 1993. The writing team of [[Judith and Garfield Reeves-Stevens]], known for their work in ''[[Star Trek]]'', committed to a novel entitled ''Day of Descent''.<ref>Reeves-Stevens, Judith and Garfield (March 1, 1993). ''The Day of Descent''. Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-0-671-73599-9}}.</ref> Some of the novels were pretexts for the movie sequels, such as the novel ''Cross of Blood'' authored by K.W. Jeter, which became a tie-in to the Dark Horizon film,<ref>Jeter, K.W. (July 1, 1995). ''Cross of Blood''. Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-0-671-87184-0}}.</ref> or the novel ''Body and Soul'' authored by [[Peter David]], which became one of the sequels of the same name.<ref>Jeter, K.W. (December 1, 1993). ''Body and Soul''. Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-0-671-73601-9}}.</ref> Subject matter such as racism and discrimination with extraterrestrial themes were regularly encountered within the books. Authors [[K. W. Jeter]] and [[Barry B. Longyear]] were regular contributors to the series with novels like, ''The Change''<ref>Longyear, Barry (March 1, 1994). ''The Change''. Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-0-671-73602-6}}.</ref> and ''Slag Like Me''.<ref>Longyear, Barry (July 1, 1994). ''Slag Like Me''. Pocket Books. {{ISBN|978-0-671-79514-6}}.</ref>

==Comics==
{{Main|Alien Nation (comics)}}
From 1990 to 1992, [[Malibu Comics]] began printing several comics from an adaptation of the ''Alien Nation'' storyline. Among first released titles were, ''The Spartans'' created with the help of author Bill Spangler and illustrator James Tucker,<ref>Spangler, Bill (w). Tucker, James (p). "Alien Nation" ''The Spartans'' '''1''' (1): (1990). [[Malibu Comics]].</ref> and ''A Breed Apart'', authored by Steve Jones.<ref>Jones, Steve (w). Timmons, Stan and Palmiotti, Jimmy (p). "Alien Nation" ''A Breed Apart'' '''1''' (1): (1990). [[Adventure Comics]].</ref> Other titles included ''Public Enemy'', authored by [[Sandy Carruthers]] and illustrated by [[Lowell Cunningham]],<ref>Carruthers, Sandy (w). Cunningham, Lowell (p). "Alien Nation" ''Public Enemy'' '''1''' (1): (1991). [[Malibu Comics]].</ref> and a [[Fictional crossover|crossover]] series with the ''[[Planet of the Apes]]'' franchise titled ''Ape Nation''. The ''Ape Nation'' series included four different adventures called ''Plans'', ''Pasts'', ''Pawns'' and ''Pains'' along with a collector's edition.<ref>Handley, Rich (November 2008). ''Timeline Of The Planet Of The Apes: The Definitive Chronology (Volume 1)''. Hasslein Books. p. 124. {{ISBN|978-0-615-25392-3}}.</ref> Other contributors to the series included illustrators Terry Pallott and [[Leonard Kirk]] to titles like, ''The Skin Trade''.<ref>Cunningham, Lowell (w). Pallott, Terry and Kirk, Leonard (p). "Alien Nation" ''The Skin Trade'' '''1''' (1): (1991). [[Adventure Comics]].</ref>

==Remake==
On March 25, 2015, Fox announced a remake with [[Art Marcum and Matt Holloway]] writing.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/heat-vision/alien-nation-remake-works-iron-784465|title='Alien Nation' Remake in the Works With 'Iron Man' Writers (Exclusive)|publisher=The Hollywood Reporter|last=Kit|first=Borys|date=March 25, 2015}}</ref> On September 9, 2016, ''Deadline'' reported that [[Jeff Nichols]] will write and direct the film.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://deadline.com/2016/09/alien-nation-jeff-nichols-loving-science-fiction-remake-fox-1201815931/|title='Loving' Helmer Jeff Nichols To Direct 'Alien Nation' Remake|publisher=Deadline|last=Fleming|first=Mike Jr.|date=September 9, 2016}}</ref>

On January 25, 2021, it was announced that [[Jeff Nichols]], director of films ''[[Take Shelter]]'' (2011), ''[[Mud (2012 film)|Mud]]'' (2012), and ''[[Loving (2016 film)|Loving]]'' (2016), will remake the film as a ten-part television series.<ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-25|title='Alien Nation' Update: Jeff Nichols Turned His Film Remake into a 10-Episode TV Pitch|url=https://www.slashfilm.com/jeff-nichols-alien-nation-update/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=/Film|language=en-US}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|date=2021-01-26|title=Alien Nation Reboot Show In Development At Disney|url=https://screenrant.com/alien-nation-show-reboot-disney-development/|access-date=2021-02-03|website=ScreenRant|language=en-US}}</ref> 

On June 21, 2024, it was reported Nichols was developing an original sci-fi feature film for Paramount instead of an Alien Nation project.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Pearson |first=Ben |date=2024-06-21 |title=Jeff Nichols' Alien Nation Has Been Repurposed Back Into An Original Sci-Fi Film [Exclusive] |url=https://www.slashfilm.com/1591018/jeff-nichols-alien-nation-repurposed-back-into-original-sci-fi-film-exclusive/ |access-date=2025-04-27 |website=SlashFilm |language=en-US}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist}}

{{Alien Nation}}
{{Disney franchises}}

[[Category:Alien Nation| ]]
[[Category:20th Century Studios franchises]]
[[Category:Science fiction franchises]]
[[Category:Media franchises introduced in 1988]]