Despite mixed to negative critical reviews, Species became a box office smash in the summer of 1995, grossing $113 million worldwide and ultimately leading to a theatrical sequel (Species II) as well as two direct-to-video sequels. Dennis Feldman wrote the script on spec after his initial treatment, "The Message," which approached the concept as a police procedural, attracted no attention from the studios. The extraterrestrial design was eventually assigned to H. R. Giger, responsible for the distinctive look of the Alien franchise, and his vision was brought to cinematic life through practical models designed by collaborator Steve Johnson and computer-generated imagery by Richard Edlund’s Boss Film Studios. But it was the high concept of “sexy, oft-naked female alien” that propelled the movie and its sequels, proving exploitation-film fundamentals just as reliable as ever.
