From producer Ridley Scott (Alien) and director/writer Fede Alvarez (Don't Breathe) comes the latest installment in the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus. This long-awaited addition to the series is shaping up to be an intriguing blend of old and new science fiction horror elements.
Scott Lets Alvarez Take the Helm
Despite his reputation for taking charge, Ridley Scott allowed Fede Alvarez considerable freedom in directing Alien: Romulus. According to Scott, I do not need advice. If I fall on my own sword and lie bleeding, I say, ‘It was my fault.’
Alvarez first met Scott over Zoom and found himself nervous but excited to share his vision. Ultimately, Scott’s hands-off approach granted Alvarez the leeway to bring his unique style to the franchise while remaining mindful of its long-standing roots.
A Fresh Narrative within a Familiar Universe
Alien: Romulus, starring Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine, explores new corners of the Alien universe. Set between Ridley Scott’s 1979 original and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, the film follows Rain as she attempts to escape a remote mining colony with her synthetic sibling Andy, played by David Jonsson.
The pair join a group of young people who commandeer an abandoned spaceship. Unbeknownst to them, they share their vessel with a deadly xenomorph.
The Vision Behind Romulus
Fede Alvarez, who gained prominence from his films Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, was thrilled to contribute to the Alien legacy. His creativity shines in recreating the franchise’s gritty analog aesthetics. As he put it, I was trying to justify why it looks this way visually. I’m also a big fan of following the canon to the letter and not deviating too much from previous creations.
The choice to focus on practical effects rather than CGI grounds Romulus in realism, connecting it more authentically with its predecessors.
Maintaining Creative Integrity
Alvarez captivated audiences by balancing reverence for the original films alongside innovative storytelling. Even though today’s viewers often crave new narratives within familiar landscapes, bringing iconic characters like Ripley back never crossed his mind. As he explained, You never want a young audience to go see a movie and furrow their brow thinking, ‘Who is this person?’
This commitment to fresh perspectives demonstrates Alvarez’s deft handling of beloved material while avoiding unnecessary fan service.
A Collaborative Endeavor
Throughout production, Alvarez regularly consulted with Ridley Scott. Though Scott detests unsolicited advice, he provided crucial feedback on timing and structure. Films are nearly always too long according to Scott,I hope Fede’s got another one up his sleeve because I think this is going to do really well.
Alien: Romulus‘s August 16th release will reveal if Alvarez’s thoughtful balance between heritage reverence and inventive storytelling revitalizes the iconic franchise for another generation of fans.
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