10 Horror Movie Answers Fans Had To Wait For

After the disappointing Alien sequels and crossovers, optimism for the once-beloved IP hit an all-time low. But when the franchise's creator, Ridley Scott, announced a prequel that would delve into the Xenomorphs' origins, the hype was unimaginably high.

Prometheus may have been a mixed bag, to say the least, but it did explore the sci-fi saga's most lingering mystery. In the original, the Nostromo crew investigated an extra-terrestrial ship, where they discovered a colossal elephantine creature, colloquially known as the Space Jockey. Even though this entity generated a lot of intrigue, nothing was known about him for 30+ years.

When Prometheus was released, the Space Jockey's true identity was unveiled. Basically, this mammoth-sized chap belongs to an alien race known as Engineers who seed worlds with their DNA to create life. The prologue shows how the Engineers seeded Earth, meaning the ancient beings are responsible for forging humanity. It's also indicated the Engineers either created the Xenomorphs or mutated them to their current state.

Although not everybody supported this retcon, at least there's some explanation behind the Space Jockey's history and significance.