Netflix has released the first footage from the highly anticipatedAlien Xmasstop-motion holiday special. The footage is bundled in with the streaming platform’s November additions. Back in 2019, Jon Favreau revealed that he was working with Stephen, Charles, and Edward Chiodo, aka The Chiodo Brothers (Killer Klowns from Outer Space,Elf) on a stop-motion Christmas special forNetflix. The 40-minute special is an animated adaptation of The Chiodo Brothers' 2015 holiday book of the same name.
Alien Xmastakes place when a race of kleptomaniac aliens attempt to steal Earth’s gravity to more easily take everything on the planet. Only the gift-givingspirit of Christmasand a small alien named X can save the world. The footage is very brief, but it begins with Santa Claus asking if he can tell some children a “crazy” Christmas story. From there, we are treated to our first look at X, as he attempts to bring some Christmas “joy.” In addition, some new still images from the special were released.
X doesn’t come to Earth with the best intentions, but he later figures out what he has to do to stop an all-out alien invasion of Earth. As it turns out, there is a lesson for X, and the rest of his alien friends to learn, though you’ll have to either watchAlien Xmasor read the book to find out. The special is all set to premiere November 20th, exclusively on Netflix. The 2015 book is currently available wherever books are sold online.
Jon Favreau serves as executive producer onAlien Xmasand it stars Keythe Farley, Dee Bradley Baker, and Kaliayh Rhambo.The Chiodo Brothersare probably best known for creating the 1988 cult classicKiller Klowns from Outer Space. However, their unique style of animation and VFX credits are all over the place. Some of their credits includeTeam America: World Police,Elf, andPee-wee’s Big Adventure. In addition to directing and co-writingKiller Klowns from Outer Space, Stephen Chiodo served as animator and technical director on Tim Burton’s shortVincent.
In 2019, Jon Favreau said, “I’ve been trying to work with these guys the Chiodo brothers, who did the stop-motion onElf, it took over 15 years, only because the business model changed.” Thankfully, Jon Favreau was able to team up with The Chiodo Brothers once more.Alien Xmaslooks like it could be a brand-new holiday classic for a new generation of children, along with old school horror fans, who may have children of their own now. The work of The Chiodo Brothers has been in so many iconic projects over the years, but it feels like they never really get the credit that they deserve. MaybeAlien Xmaswill change all of that. You can check out the first footage from the holiday special above, thanks to theNetflix YouTubechannel. The footage begins at the 1:19 mark.
