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Before the movie went into production, what was the proposed title of the film?

Starbeast. Dan O'Bannon's script went through numerous changes before producer, Walter Hill, signed on to pitch "Alien" to 20th Century Fox officials.

Prior to directing "Alien", Ridley Scott was pondering doing a movie version of "Tristan and Isolde". However, that was soon forgotten when he saw which science fiction film?

Star Wars. Scott called the film "captivating" and credits "Star Wars" for peaking his interest in a genre, that until that time, he had all but ignored.

The inspiration for the alien creature came from which famous book, featuring the works of H.R. Giger?

Necronomicon. Giger, a Swiss born industrial designer and painter, did the designs for the 1969 film, "Swiss Made". He also collaborated on the first attempt to bring Frank Herbert's "Dune", to the screen.

In Dan O'Bannon's first draft, how many of the film's human characters were male?

All of the seven (None of the seven, Four of the seven, Six of the seven). Although they were all male, the characters had been written in such a way that "gender" wasn't absolutely defined. It was only when the script was re-written by producers David Giler and Walter Hill, that the characters of "Ripley" and "Lambert" were portrayed as women.

Whose opinion of Sigourney Weaver led to her being offered the role of "Ripley"?

Women in the Fox offices. After her screen test, Ladd gathered all the women he could find in the studio offices to have them view Weaver's performance. They liked Weaver so much that, two days later, she had the part.

Prior to filming, the cast was escorted to Giger's studio to get their first glimpse of the title character. What were they handed before being permitted to view the "Alien"?

A drink.. Giger's assistant had readied a glass of brandy for each of the actors. Not feeling the need for "fortification", Weaver refused the offer, only to come racing out moments later to grab the bottle!

Sigourney Weaver had actually wanted the role of "Lambert", a part which went to Veronica Cartwright.

True. The original script portrayed "Lambert" as something of a comedian, cracking jokes, even when the rest of the crew were acting hysterical. Weaver, who had an interest in comedy, was drawn to that character.

How long did shooting of "Alien" take?

Four months. "Alien" was shot in England by Denys Ayling and Derek Vanlint, at a cost of just over $9,000,000.00 U.S.

What trait, or physical characteristic had writer Dan O'Bannon considered giving the alien?

The ability to imitate its victims. Something along the lines of "Invasion of the Body Snatchers" or "Terminator 2: Judgement Day".

Even as "Alien" was heading into theatres, producers Giler and Hill were preparing a sequel. When pondering suggestions for the next film, what idea was dismissed immediately?

That the appearance of "Jones the Cat" in the movie's finale, gave the audience a peek at how the sequel would be born.. The producers and, Ridley Scott for that matter, claimed that "how the alien came to be" was inconsequential. There was no need to plant ideas in the mind of the audience as to how the alien would reappear. No intellectual explanation for the creature was needed.