The Secret Behind Steven Spielberg’s New Alien Design in ‘Disclosure Day’ Revealed by Screenwriter David Koepp

Writer David Koepp recently talked about how the creatures in ‘Disclosure Day’ were created and what he and director Steven Spielberg wanted the audience to feel.

In the film, the aliens are shown in different ways. Sometimes they look like animals on Earth when they are hiding. When they appear in their real form, they match a very classic alien image. They have large heads, black eyes, gray skin, thin long fingers, and humanoid bodies. The movie also shows that they are not all the same size. Some are small, and others are much larger, especially in footage shown later in the story.

Koepp explained that the goal was not to reinvent what aliens look like, but to use what people already think about them. He said that both he and Spielberg wanted to respect long-standing ideas and cultural expectations about extraterrestrials. He said, “I think that that was important to both Steven and I. Steven first said, ‘I want to respect the lore that’s out there. There’s a cultural memory of how things are and what might have happened. And I don’t want to fly in the face of that.’”

He also explained that the movie is not trying to prove audiences wrong. Instead, it is built around the idea that common beliefs about aliens might actually be true inside the story. He said, “We’re not making a movie that says everything you always thought is wrong. We’re making a movie that says everything you always thought is right and here’s abundant proof of it.” He added that the film is meant to feel like confirmation of long-held ideas about alien contact.

Because of this approach, the film does not spend much time explaining where the aliens come from or how their technology works. Their advanced tools, including abilities like telepathy and invisibility, are shown but not deeply explained. The story also avoids giving a full explanation of why the aliens are on Earth. Instead, it keeps the focus on mystery and human reaction.

The plot of Disclosure Day follows characters like Margaret Fairchild and Daniel Kellner, played by Emily Blunt and Josh O’Connor, as they deal with memories of alien encounters from their past. The release of classified footage and public disclosure of alien life plays a major role in the story. Other key characters include Noah Scanlon, played by Colin Firth, and Hugo Wakefield, played by Colman Domingo, who help guide the larger global response to the truth being revealed.

The film also includes a wider supporting cast such as Eve Hewson, Wyatt Russell, Elizabeth Marvel, and Henry Lloyd-Hughes. Their roles help build the human side of the story, which is a major focus alongside the alien mystery.

The film has received generally strong reactions. It holds a high rating on review platforms, with critics praising its tone and emotional focus. The story is not just about aliens, but also about how people react when something world-changing becomes real.

Box office performance has also been strong, with the film earning more than expected during its opening weekend. Even with that success, Koepp suggested that a sequel is unlikely. The ending is meant to feel complete and slightly open, but not set up a bigger franchise.

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