The 1976 classic sci - fi horror filmAlienfollows the gang of the Nostromo - and their computerized axial tomography , Jones - as they ’re awoken from their cryosleep by a strange signal that go them to a mysterious satellite and a dangerous creature . While the focus ofAlienis on the xenomorph haunt the gang members , fans have fix on Jones the Caterpillar , developing multiple theories around his greater role and potential signification in the motion picture franchise .

When most people think about the survivors of the original xenomorph approach on the Nostromo , Sigourney Weaver ’s characterEllen Ripleyis who usually comes to brain first . Even so , Jones , the ginger tomcat who roams the Nostromo in ordering to take tutelage of any vermin that might have made their way of life onboard the ship , gets a fair bit of recognition as well , and plays an interesting role in the motion-picture show .

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Fans of the original motion picture think there has to be more to the fact that Ripley Scott and Dan O’Bannon chose to let Jones not only live on the first flick , butJames Cameronlet him survive into the sequel . In fact , there are all sorts of theories about what Jonesy represents and who he really is , with options run from Jones being aFlerken from the Marvel universeto him being an on - screenland representation of Ridley Scott himself . Some multitude even hint that Jonesy was helping the xenomorph all along .

Jonesy’s Importance & Meaning Explained

WhileRidley Scotthimself has yet to consider in on the importance of Jones as a character inAlien , fans of the Alien series have a variety of theory as to who Jonesy really is and why he ’s actually a appendage aboard the Nostromo .   The first major fan hypothesis is that Jones is really an analog for Ridley Scott in the film . Jones is the only eccentric in the film who can move about the ship , and thus the plot , freely . He remain unrestrained by the ship ; thehuman charactersspend much of the plastic film unlocking and re - mesh door and barrier , but Jones can apparently transcend the actual set of the film and its forcible limitation .

In addition , almost every conniption inAlienallows for the idea that Jones is present even if he ’s not explicitly render on screen door . He not only leads many of the grapheme to the next view or plot decimal point , but also createsmoments of tension ,   helping shape the consultation ’s reaction to what ’s find , just like the manager would . Thus , Jones could represent   Ridley Scott .

The next major fan theory for Jonesy is that he ’s good friend with thexenomorph ,   and has been attempt to help him kill the crew . This theory is backed up by Jones ’ presence in almost every scene where the xenomorph appears . He ostensibly leads Lambert to her death when she go after him , and watches her get killed . He   also turns up to spook the gang in a variety of other scenes , like when they repeatedly mistake him for the creature on their scanners .

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Perhaps the wildest fan hypothesis is a crossover between theAlienandMarvel Cinematic Universe , submitting that Jonesy is actually aFlerken . Flerkens are creatures that count like cats , but instead have pocket dimensions in their mouth . Flerkens were most famously introduced inCaptain Marvelwith a cat named Goose . With Disney owning both Fox Studios and Marvel , many fans wonder   how those two mathematical group could be integrate ; with Jones and Goose both being orangish male kat , there ’s an obvious connection .

Regardless of the significance of Jones as a character , there ’s no doubt he ’s become one of the most beloved cats in horror movie theater . Jonesy is so dear that he even has his own book . Rory Lucey presents the full story ofAlienfrom the Jones ' perspective inJonesy : Nine Lives on the Nostromo . Despite the possibility , it ’s most likely Jones is simply a cat that serves as a comrade for the gang . He ’s plausibly let in becauseH.R. Gigerwas a well - known cat lover ; the casting and crew ofAlienwanted to pay protection to him . The most obvious explanation for why he survives with Ripley is to help oneself impart a flimsy welfare to an otherwise sorry film . It ’s also possible the director just did n’t want to vote out a cat .

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Next : The Xenomorph ’s ORIGINAL Backstory ( In The Alien Movies )

Ellen Ripley holding Jones, the Cat in Alien

Alien Jonesy the Cat Close-Up

Alien