Is the Alien franchise due for a revival? Some would say it’s long overdue, and that there hasn’t truly been a good film since James Cameron’s Aliens way back in 1986. I don’t think that’s true (Prometheus and Alien: Covenant aren’t that bad), but what is true is that Fede Alvarez is the guy to bring it back to horror roots with Alien: Romulus.
20th Century Studios has dropped a final trailer for Alien: Romulus, and if it’s half as scary as it looks, horror fans are going to be in for a wild ride. Could Alien actually be good again??
The story follows a group of young space colonists who uncover a derelict space station overrun by the familiar xenomorph. Ignoring latter sequels, film is set between Ridley Scott and James Cameron’s classics.
Gone are the huge stars that didn’t help the box office of Prometheus or Alien: Covenant. In their place are young, up ‘n coming actors including Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), David Jonsson (Rye Lane), Archie Renaux (Shadow & Bone), Isabela Merced (Madame Web), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), and Aileen Wu in her first major role.
Ridley Scott remains aboard as a producer. If all goes well, we could be on the verge of an Alien renaissance along with Noah Hawley’s FX series.
Alvarez, who proved with Evil Dead that he can do a lot with very little, appears to have brought that mentality to Alien: Romulus. The emphasis is on establishing mood, tone, and an ominous atmosphere.
Alien: Romulus opens in theaters and IMAX on August 16th.
