Timothy Olyphant is one of my favorites. He’s ruggedly handsome, he’s a great actor that’s now in Star Wars canon, and he seems like a genuinely good person in real life. That’s my personal triple threat of attraction right there. He also gets so confused with Josh Duhamel that even his own mother couldn’t tell them apart once. Sometimes, Mr. Rosie and I will look at each other out of nowhere and go, “It was justified” in a poor attempt to imitate that famous line from Justified‘s pilot episode.
Deadline got the exclusive that Olyphant will be once again teaming up with Fargo showrunner Noah Hawley for an undisclosed role in Hawley’s upcoming series based on the movie Aliens. Olyphant will star opposite Sydney Chandler. While it’s not confirmed yet, the role is rumored to be that of Kirsh, a synth who acts as a mentor and trainer for meta-human hybrid Wendy (Chandler’s character). The main cast also includes Alex Lawther, Samuel Blenkin, Essie Davis, Adarsh Gourav, and Kit Young.
Executive produced by Ridley Scott, the new Alien series is set in a time period before Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley and is the first story in the franchise that takes place on Earth, roughly 70 years in the future.
Production on the show began in Thailand July 19, four days after the start of the actors strike, without SAG-AFTRA members, including Chandler. Filming continued for more than a month with cast who were affiliated with the Equity British trade union. Production is slated to resume in early 2024, likely in January.
“I got some footage. Some of the first hour was shot before we had to shutdown. It’s stuff to play with and edit,” Hawley told Deadline recently. “I’m excited to get back in there.”
All the scripts for Alien were completed before the WGA strike was called in May.
Olyphant has been a fixture at FX over the last decade and a half. He headlined the network’s long-running hit drama Justified and recently starred in and executive produced the limited series followup, Justified: City Primeval. In addition to his major recurring role on Season 4 of Fargo, Olyphant also was a series regular on Season 2 of FX’s Damages.
Now, I know what you’re going to say. There are no new ideas anymore and we’re in the Franchise/Reboot Era. You’re also asking, “Do we really need a prequel to Alien?” On the first point, I totally agree. I’d love to see something fresh and new. As for the question of whether or not we need another franchise expansion, I also would probably lean towards we don’t need an Alien prequel, either. I love the first two movies, but I’m not sure I’d have much interest in watching a prequel series. However, Olyphant being attached to it is kind of a game-changer for me. I’m definitely interested in watching a series with a potential Robo-Raylan (Copyright: Mike Redmond). Consider my interest piqued because at the very least, this makes me want to at least check out the inevitable panel at San Diego Comic-Con about it.
Photos credit: Jeffrey Mayer / Avalon, MAGO/Zoonar.com/Lumeimages.com / Avalon, Robin Platzer/Twin Images / Twin Images / Avalon and Getty
He sure is a tall drink of water, RAWR. Justified is one of my favourite series ever, it holds up on rewatch and is just so quotable (RIP Elmore Leonard).
I can’t really see him as a synth, I would think some kind of military leader would be more his style but I’m really curious now…
@ Lady Esther, a tall drink of water he is!! Yummy……😋 I have watched Justified on too many occasions that I think that I could repeat them by verbatim. I have always had a soft spot for Olyphant and am willing to watch his performances willingly.
And as homage to my very proper mother, “I wouldn’t mind finding his shoes under my bed anytime.”
Yes, RIP Elmore Leonard
Such a brilliant writer. And may I add that the cast of Justified did a great service to his storytelling of his books as well.
I’m with you guys.
While I love the Aliens Saga, and this would be an automatic binge for me- adding Timothy O in the mix makes it worth a live can’t miss weekly event (just like Primeval).
Can’t wait!
I will watch him in anything! Justified was way out of my comfort zone in terms of violence, but I couldn’t stop.
I love Aliens movies (the best ones were the first 4), and I love Timothy so this one is a no brainer for me! Sign me up!
I will watch anything he is in, he is such a great actor. The Crazies, Deadwood, Santa Clarita Diet, and the already mentioned Justified. I just love him.
There’s a prequel to Aliens already, I wonder where in the timeline this will take place. (I guess I shouldn’t read the article, lol, 70 years in the future? Hmmm)
He is so damn funny in Santa Clarita Diet! I wish it wasn’t so gory because he killed it in the few eps I soldiered through.
He’s tall, handsome and talented – but I think his comedic talent is somewhat overlooked. His interviews on Conan are also hilarious.
he was so beautiful as the sheriff in Deadwood.
I love the Alien movies and I love Timothy Olyphant even more so I’m excited for this
Yep. Yep. And yep.
Timothy Olyphant is my ultimate crush and I will watch him in anything. Justified is my favorite show of all time and I just finished my yearly rewatch of the season. I love it so much, I have a silver Labrador named Raylan and a chocolate Labrador named Boyd. I’ve never been a huge Aliens fan, but I will watch and rewatch every episode he is in.
I love your dogs’ names!!
He’s also great in Damages season 2. It was a great show in the first two season. And he is just so good (and so handsome – ok, he’s always handsome) in season 2.
Love the names of your dogs! Also I’m realizing I need to re-watch Justified.
Check out Deadwood – he is first rate…swoon….
I can’t with horror but I do love Timothy Olyphant. Justified is one of my all time favorite shows.
His turn as a marshal in Mandalorian was a great little surprise since I didn’t know he was in it going in.
I remember I saw him for the first time in the movie Go and I was gob smacked by him. He was so gorgeous and had such charisma onscreen (and still does). Like that moment the world was introduced to Brad Pitt in Thelma & Louise (I know he sucks now but we were all so naive back then).
Love everything, he is in.
YES! Was coming here to say this. I fell in love with him in Go. I find his new teeth a little distracting, but still very into him.
Yeah I will totally watch this. I love Timothy and all his work. Justified may be my favorite drama of all time, I rewatch it often, he and Walton Goggins are just perfection on that show. I am desperately waiting for news of more Justified!
You and me both, Lucy. I’ve sold so many people on Justified by this point. They’re always astounded they didn’t see it the first time around, like, “how did I not know how good this is?”
I thought Prometheus was the prequel to Alien and it seems to occur around the same time as this proposed piece? Does everyone just want to agree that Prometheus never happened?
I hope that person who commented about more Timothy Olyphant posts is happy now.
Rest assured, I am. I very, very much am. 🙂
Honk for Timothy Olyphant!
Honk, honk!
all the honks!!!
I always thought he looked like he could be Harry Hamlin’s much younger brother. Something about the eyes is very Harry Hamlin.
I loved Timothy Olyphant as Cobb Vanth in The Mandalorian. As I like the Alien franchise, I’ll definitely watch this series, and I couldn’t be happier that he’ll be in it. Gorgeous man and such a versatile and charismatic actor.
Honk.
I loved the Alien movies.
I grew up in the real bad part of Texas back in the day, when the sequel was released and Ripley had a shaved head- the big hair women lost their sh!z…
It was SHOCKING and Sigourney Weaver was in interviews on television, unapologetic.
I remember looking at the pictures and thinking she looked so strong- to this day, it inspires. Hope this show succeeds so others can look at someone fiercely brave too.