‘Alien: Romulus’ – Everything We Know About Fede Alverez’s Alien Movie
Alien: Romulus has completed filming this week. Here’s everything we know about the next movie in the horror franchise.
The Alien movies–up until Prometheus–have pitted blue-collar workers, military grunts, prisoners, and pirates against Xenomorphs. All with The Company (Weyland-Yutani) operating in the background with their profits prioritized above any casualties. And their desire to make a buck off the monster above all.
Alien: Romulus promises to take the formula and twist it into something new.
Who is Directing?
Fede Alvarez (Evil Dead, Don’t Breathe) is directing from a script he wrote with Rodo Sayagues. The pair have worked together on several projects. Franchise creator Ridley Scott is a producer.
What’s the Story?
So far, we’ve had alien vs. space truckers, aliens vs. soldiers, aliens vs. convicts, aliens vs. mercs, Jesus-esque alien vs. scientists and rich corporation owners, and aliens (and a warped android) vs. couples. The action typically takes place on a ship or a faraway planet–someplace where humans are trapped with one or more deadly Xenomorphs. The franchise definitely has its tropes.
This new movie changes it up a little. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone story that focuses on a group of young civilians in a distant colony. Knowing Alverez’s filmography–this may be a slasher, something that leans more into the horror aspect of the franchise.
The studio has released this synopsis:
“In this ninth entry in the immensely popular and enduring film series, a group of young people on a distant world find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe.”
While no official confirmation has been made, it is likely that the Weyland-Yutani corporation is somehow involved. The Weyland logo has been seen in set photos released by the director. And they love carrying out experiments that pit their pet bioweapon against different sorts of people with an array of skills. People are expandable to the corporation if it advances profits.
Who is in the Alien: Romulus Cast?
This story isn’t connected to the existing movies. You won’t see Sigourney Weaver as the iconic Ripley or Michael Fassbender’s creepy android David. In Alien: Romulus, Cailee Spaeny (The Craft: Legacy, Pacific Rim Uprising) is the next lead trying not to become xenomorph food. She is described as Ripley-esque, a no-nonsense survivor.
Also included in the cast are newcomer Aileen Wu, Archie Reneaux (Shadow and Bone), Spike Fearn (The Batman), David Jonsson (Industry), and Isabela Merced (Sweet Girl).
When is Aliens: Romulus‘ Release Date?
As of July 2023, the filming has been completed and is transitioning to post-production.
The movie’s current release date of August 16, 2024. Initial reports have it going straight to Hulu, like Prey and Hellraiser. It’s part of 20th Century Studios’ plan to release more movies on the platform–it also allows Disney to take advantage of its vast not-family-friendly IPs.
Both did well for the streamer, but it left many fans (myself included) disappointed that their favorite franchises didn’t get big-screen releases. Other streaming projects have been elevated to theaters, so perhaps this project will receive that treatment. The theater business and audience reactions may change over the next year.
