The latest ‘Alien’ prequel, ‘Alien: Romulus,’ focuses on the monstrous xenomorph, returning the saga to its roots. A new image from the film highlights the disturbing nature of the creature, though it provides no hints about the plot. ‘Alien: Romulus,’ directed by Fede Álvarez, will hit theaters on August 16th.
Set in the haunting depths of a derelict space station, the gripping sci-fi/horror-thriller unravels the chilling tale of a group of intrepid space colonizers. As they delve into the station’s dark recesses, they encounter the harrowing visage of an extraterrestrial horror—a terror that embodies the unimaginable nightmares of the universe.
Cailee Spaeny (“Priscilla”), David Jonsson (“Murder is Easy”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“The Last of Us”), Spike Fearn (“Aftersun”), and Aileen Wu star in the film directed by Fede Álvarez (“Evil Dead,” “Don’t Breathe”). Álvarez and frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (“Don’t Breathe 2”) wrote the screenplay based on characters created by Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett.
Alien: Romulus is helmed by renowned director Ridley Scott, known for his role in the original Alien film and subsequent installments Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Michael Pruss (Boston Strangler) and Walter Hill (Alien) also serve as producers. Executive producers include Fede Álvarez, Elizabeth Cantillon (Charlie’s Angels), Brent O’Connor (Bullet Train), and Tom Moran (Unstoppable).
The franchise has eight entries, including two crossovers with “Predator.” The first four films featured Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley, while the two prequels were set in the same timeline but did not directly connect to Ripley’s storyline. Director Álvarez’s upcoming film, set between “Alien” and “Aliens,” is said to respect the franchise’s established chronology.
Confirming his new film takes place two decades after the first, Álvarez emphasizes maintaining the canon’s integrity. He derived personal satisfaction from ensuring consistency with the broader Alien franchise narrative. Álvarez consulted with Ridley Scott as a producer and engaged in extensive discussions with James Cameron regarding the script. Upon completion, he shared the film with both veterans.
“Everyone contributes significantly, from the VFX supervisor of ‘Aliens’ to the artisans who meticulously craft the miniatures,” he stated. “By recruiting talented individuals from these fields, we ensured that the movie accurately captured the desired style, aesthetic, and atmosphere. Embarking on this creative process was the most fulfilling aspect of producing this film.”
Alien: Romulus arrives in theaters on August 16th.
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