The arrival of the new Alien: Romulus trailer is generating significant buzz among film enthusiasts. Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Alvarez, known for horror hits like Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe (2016), takes the helm, aiming to reinvigorate the storied franchise.
A Nostalgic Approach
In an era where many recent Alien entries have strayed into prequels and over-explained lore, Alvarez opts for a return to the franchise’s core. Emphasizing tangible fear and practical effects, he shared, I come from a background where I know how to build the effects myself…nothing beats the real thing.
A Dedication to Practical Effects
Alvarez emphasizes practical effects. He brought back veterans from Stan Winston’s original team who worked on Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986). Embracing animatronics and puppetry, Alvarez noted, For the creatures, we brought in all the guys from ‘Aliens.’…I even got the chance to be under the table with them, puppeteering all these animatronics.
Behind-the-Scenes Insights
The director reveals insights into working closely with Ridley Scott, succinctly stating that Scott was initially skeptical about his vision. Discussing Scott’s feedback on his Director’s Cut, he acknowledged,I thought Ridley would say something…He was really tough on Blade Runner, which I thought was a masterpiece…
An Exciting Timeline
The timeline for Romulus is fascinating. It takes place around twenty years after Alien, but before the events depicted in Aliens. Additionally, Alvarez finds inspiration in a scene from James Cameron’s extended cut, featuring teenagers on LV-426.They asked me what would you want to see…and I said I would be curious to see what happened to those people in real life…
A Clear Focus on Horror
From snippets of footage shown to select journalists, it’s evident that Alvarez is steering clear of sci-fi fantasy elements seen in later franchises iterations. This installment leans heavily into horror elements reminiscent of the first two films.
A Hands-On Production Approach
The director’s hands-on approach is notable; he credits resourcefulness and personal involvement with creating an authentic feel akin to earlier films that were produced on tighter budgets. Referring to practical constraints and personal dedication, he remarked,You have to make it very personal and super-involved.
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