Everything we know so far about the new sci-fi horror movie ‘Alien: Romulus’
Horror franchises might not always find themselves at the top of box office ranking lists. Still, they do accrue a legion of adoring fans who are willing to fight for their favourite movie monster, whether it’s Freddy Krueger, Jason Voorhees or Michael Myers. However, one horror franchise that has been successful in both areas is Ridley Scott’s Alien series, which saw the Xenomorph leap into the hearts of genre lovers back in 1979.
A truly terrifying trip into the depths of the unknown cosmos, Scott’s film is essentially a haunted house movie in which a cunning extra-terrestrial predator takes the place of the supernatural ghost and the creaking floorboards of a dusty abode are replaced by the mechanical clangs of a spaceship.
Starring the great Sigourney Weaver as Ripley, one of action cinema’s greatest heroines, the tale takes place in 2122. It follows the adventurers onboard the commercial spacecraft Nostromo when they are awoken from their stasis by a distress signal from a nearby moon. Answering the call becomes their greatest regret, with Ripley and the rest of the ship’s crew bringing something back with them that would pick them off one by one.
So engrossing and well-fleshed-out was the concept that the film went on to spark a franchise, including five direct sequels and two spin-off movies, in which the Xenomorph battles the monster of the Predator series in camp combat. 2024 brings the release of Alien: Romulus, however, the first film since 1997’s Alien Resurrection that hasn’t been directed by the series creator Ridley Scott.
What is the new Alien movie about?
Not diverting too far from the tried and tested formula of the franchise so far, the story of the new movie follows a group of young colonisers and scientists who run into a pack of Xenomorphs while carrying out their mission, delaying their efforts indefinitely. While we knew the Xenomorph alien would be making a comeback, the new trailer for the movie also shows an abundance of Facehuggers.
“I love all of those movies. I didn’t want to omit or ignore any of them when it comes to connections at a story level, character level, technology level and creature level. There’s always connections from Alien to Alien: Covenant,” Álvarez told Hollywood Reporter in regards to the new movie. Creating the film so that anyone can watch it and understand it, no matter if you have good knowledge of the franchise or not, Álvarez is dedicated to making one of the most accessible movies in the series.
Taking place between the first Alien movie and James Cameron’s sequel, Álvarez further revealed about the new film: “It is connected to all of them. I love all of those movies. I didn’t want to omit or ignore any of them when it comes to connections at a story level, character level, technology level and creature level. There’s always connections from Alien to Alien: Covenant.”
Who’s in the new Alien movie cast?
The new Alien movie will be headed up by the American actor Cailee Spaeny, who is best known for portraying Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s 2023 award-winner Priscilla. Elsewhere, Spaeny is also due to star in the forthcoming Alex Garland movie Civil War, making 2024 a massive year for the burgeoning star who has only previously taken supporting roles.
Meanwhile, she is joined by a supporting cast that includes an abundance of young talent, being a departure from a franchise that often uses older actors. Relative unknowns Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu will feature alongside Isabela Merced of Dora and the Lost City of Gold fame, while Archie Renaux also joins the cast, with the actor being best well-recognised for his role in Marvel’s Mobius.
Finishing off the lead cast members is David Jonsson, who proved to be one of the most spellbinding aspects of the HBO series Industry, playing the role of Gus Sackey, a young employee who leaves the exploitative company at the centre of the story. Building off this success, he also took the lead role in Raine Allen Miller’s excellent debut film, Rye Lane, in 2023.
Who is Fede Álvarez?
Fede Álvarez is the Uruguayan filmmaker behind the making of Alien: Romulus. Already an esteemed director and screenwriter, Álvarez has directed such modern horror hits as 2013’s Evil Dead and 2016’s Don’t Breathe. He will become the first new director to take on an Alien movie since Jean-Pierre Jeunet took up the responsibility with Alien: Resurrection in 1997.
Rated in the horror industry, Álvarez is very capable of making Alien: Romulus a success, having proven that he is very able to work within the limits of franchise filmmaking thanks to the success of his Evil Dead reimagining. In addition, 2016’s Don’t Breathe was a masterpiece of tension, showing that he also has the creative flair to pull off an eerie, anxiety-ridden Xenomorph horror.
Also, being the writer behind the new Alien movie, fans will be happy to know that Álvarez penned excellent screenplays for both Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe. Yet, he also had a part to play in the writing of The Girl in the Spider’s Web, Don’t Breathe 2 and 2022’s Texas Chainsaw Massacre, which each left a lot to be desired.
When will Alien: Romulus be released?
The new Alien movie, titled Alien: Romulus, will be released in the UK and in the USA on August 16th, 2024. France and Sweden are the lucky territories that will get the film first, landing on their screens on August 14th, while Germany, Hungary and Slovakia will be able to enjoy the movie one day later on August 15th.
Alien: Romulus is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to new content from the franchise, with Disney also planning to release an Alien TV series in 2025 as an FX original. The TV show will be the first of its kind for the franchise and is thought to focus on the relationship between AI and humanity that remains a sub-plot throughout each film, from Ash in the original 1979 film to Walter in 2017’s Alien: Covenant.
The showrunner of the forthcoming TV series, Noah Hawley, has already given hope to fans of the Alien franchise, with the creative having already achieved great things with Fargo and Legion on the small screen. Hawley is also the creator, director, writer and executive producer of the new series alongside Ridley Scott.
What are the best ‘Alien’ movies?
Depending on if you’re more of a horror lover or an action movie junkie, the best Alien movie will either be Ridley Scott’s 1979 original or James Cameron’s 1986 sequel Aliens. These two films are, arguably, the two best of the franchise and perhaps the only good movies that the franchise has ever produced, with many of the sequels being criticised for being overly complex, losing the spirit of the original idea in the process.
A revolutionary horror movie upon its release, Scott’s Alien is a marvel of tone, with the Swiss artist H.R. Giger having a considerable impact on the look and feel of the distinctive film. Giger set the style and identity on which the rest of the franchise has thrived, producing countless movies, video games, graphic novels and more, which has retained this slimy focus on body horror.
Meanwhile, James Cameron’s Aliens took the style and identity of the franchise but transformed it into more of an action film featuring legions of soldiers and arsenals of firearms that were pumped into Xenomorphs, big and small. This action-orientated angle has also gone on to make the franchise more of a blockbuster series rather than a slow, moody horror as the first film had suggested.
