While Sigourney Weaver is synonymous with the Alien saga, a less obvious but crucial element in the original 1979 film`s special effects was KY jelly. The upcoming television series Alien: Earth is honoring this practical effect tradition by continuing to use it in a similar way.
During a visit to the set of Alien: Earth, Tim Domett, the Creature Episodic Supervisor at Wētā Workshop, revealed how the original movie inspired the TV series to incorporate personal lubricant for some of its practical effects.
“We looked to [Alien] for any inspiration around how it should look and the guideline of what we`re trying to achieve. […] They used KY jelly for this,” Domett shared with journalists during a group set visit, gesturing towards the drool-like goo secreted from the Xenomorph model`s mouth. “We [also] use KY jelly. We use other types, but similar. It’s just safe for all things, for going to people`s faces. [The Xenomorph] is obviously looming over the cast a lot, dripping onto the costume. Obviously, [we] want to be able to clean that off.”
Domett elaborated, “So we don`t have any special recipe, we just use that. All we do is dilute it a little bit if it needs to come out of the mouth, or if it needs to look a little bit blue here, or that kind of thing […] It’s been quite a slimy, sticky job for us.”
Alien: Earth is scheduled to premiere on August 12th on FX, with new episodes debuting weekly on Hulu throughout its eight-episode first season. Further details about the series are available, including how it integrates into the established Alien timeline, the impact of COVID-19 on its production, and the lead actor`s experience stepping into a central role reminiscent of Ripley.