“In space no can hear you scream,” but in a packed theater everyone can. Alien movies have made audiences do just that since Ridley Scott first brought a Xenomorph to the big screen in 1979. Now the iconic monster is set to return to theaters once again. While Noah Hawley is developing an Alien TV show, a new installment in the film franchise will premiere in 2024. Who will direct space’s most fearsome creature next? And how does this entry fit into series?
We know that Cailee Spaeny will lead the film as Rain, this generation’s version of Ellen Ripley. And we see how much Ripley’s legacy impacts Spaeny in this new featurette.
Here’s everything we know about Alien: Romulus so far.
Title
The ninth movie in the franchise is currently called Alien: Romulus. It’s unknown if that working title will ultimately be the film’s final one.
Alien: Romulus‘ Plot
The film is described as an “original stand-alone” entry unconnected to previous films. It will feature “a group of young people on a distant world” who “find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe.” We also learned that Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens on the franchise’s timeline.
Our latest sneak peek trailer gives us a good idea of what Alien: Romulus will feel like—suspenseful and scary. When you’re trapped in space with Xenomorphs, there’s nowhere to hide. You can take a look at the trailer below.
Here’s an official trailer and synopsis for the film.
The synopsis reads:
While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
Alvarez recently shared a bit more about the plot of Alien: Romulus, noting, “My first instinct, just to try something different that hasn’t been seen before, was to approach it from the angle of characters who are not professionals or scientists; they’re not even adults. I liked this concept of putting people in the front seat of the story who are closer to what the audience is — not that the audience is young, more that the audience is completely virgin to the realities of space. When the characters are professionals, they know more than you do. But when they’re still in their early 20s, they don’t know how to operate the f—ing airlock.”
The sibling dynamic is also at the center of this film, especially between the main character, Rain, and her brother, who is synthetic. In the Alien franchise, synthetics are often seen as antagonists, but this movie will paint these androids in a new light.
When the movie was originally intended to debut on Hulu, it was compared in scope to the original film in the franchise. For those trying to decipher any meaning from the film’s title, Romulus was the legendary founder of Rome and its first king.
Behind the Scenes
Director Fede Álvarez (Don’t Breathe, 2013’s Evil Dead) co-wrote the script with Rodo Sayagues. Ridley Scott is an executive producer on the film. Álvarez told Scott about his idea for the spinoff movie years prior, and Scott eventually reached out and asked Álvarez if he wanted to make it.
In early July 2023, the director announced on Instrgram the end of filming after nearly four months of shooting primarily in Budapest. His celebratory post would have made Red Auerbach proud.
Recently, star Isabela Merced shared some details about the film, including her praise of the terrifying practical Xenomorphs created for Alien: Romulus. She noted one of the highlights of her Alien: Romulus experience was seeing the Xenomorphs first time, offering “Definitely seeing the Xeno for the first time. They used a robot for that. And also, they used a human being, like a really tall person, in the costume and special effects. We had two Xenos on set, at all times, and they were just terrifying.”
She further adds, “The detail is incredible. I like the Xeno nails. That’s my favorite part, the chrome nails. I’m gonna get chrome nails for the premiere. You’ll see me with them all around. They were incredible.”
Alien: Romulus‘ Cast
Alien: Romulus stars Cailee Spaeny (Mare of Easttown). Joining her in the young cast are David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu.
Alien: Romulus‘ Release Date
Alien: Romulus will arrive in theaters on August 16, 2024.
The thin, warm summer air will help anyone in space hear audiences scream.
Originally published on August 9, 2023.
