Fede Álvarez’s first teaser trailer for “Alien: Romulus,” which was released on March 20, suggests that moviegoers may once again enjoy the same types of thrills that they did in 1979 when they saw Ridley Scott’s “Alien,” and that James Cameron provided in the 1986 sequel, “Aliens.” The video, which opens with a procession of spacecraft evoking the Nostromo and Sulaco, gives viewers a first glimpse at the young cast, which includes Isabela Merced (playing Madame Web) and Cailee Spaeny (Priscilla). Though the original film’s slogan, “In space, no one can hear you scream,” resonates all too viscerally, the crew delivers shrieks of horror as they race from scuttling facehuggers and navigate dimly lit, hexagonal passageways.
“Alien: Romulus” is the seventh movie in the “Alien” series, and if you including the “Aliens vs. Predator” crossover movies, it’s the ninth overall featuring acid-blooded xenomorphs. The writer-director Álvarez’s upcoming film “Romulus,” which debuted on August 16, is set to further muddle the already complex timeframe. Will it be better than some of the duller chapters in this continuous drama, of which there are undoubtedly more than wonderful ones? is the more crucial question, though.
Álvarez claims that he is hedging his bets because “Romulus,” which is situated in between the events of Scott and Cameron’s films, will extensively reference those chapters in terms of tone, storyline, and style. Prior to the release of the trailer, Alejandro González, a seasoned director of inheritable properties such as “Evil Dead” and “The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo,” discussed with Variety how his “Alien” film differs and resembles its predecessors, as well as his intention to return the film series to its terrifying beginnings.
This occurs during the 57-year period that separates “Alien” and “Aliens.” How cautiously had you to go so as not to disturb the franchise’s greater mythology?
[“Alien: Romulus”] is set twenty years after the first one, and I don’t think it violates canon in any way. Making sure that everything fits into the larger “Alien” franchise narrative, both in terms of plot and production methods, is something I enjoy doing personally. I had lengthy conversations about it at the screenplay level with James Cameron and with producer Ridley Scott. I showed them the movie after it was finished.
From the men who create the miniatures to the VFX supervisor of “Aliens,” everyone is really important, and we employed a large number of them to work on the film. If not, it’s challenging to create a movie with the exact feel, look, and style that I desired. Being able to go through the entire process of making this movie was the greatest joy.
How did you meet your objectives for this film and take into account their basic familiarity with the franchise?
Although “Alien” and “Aliens” are obviously very different films, we managed to make sure I didn’t have to make a decision with this scenario. In those films, amazing and clever things are accomplished. As a director, you’re not just sitting in your chair pointing at crap; you actually want to push it and create this environment. I create my own VFX shots. Along with them, I’m puppeteering there. I always think, “Well, this is the movie where I get to sit down and just point at shit,” when I see a movie. It doesn’t take place. I’m still down on the floor getting my hands dirty while the videos get bigger. And that’s precisely what Cameron and Ridley told me: the only way to produce this film is Participation is required at all levels. These films are extremely distinctive since their directors created them entirely by hand. This is not a Hollywood production where you walk in, do your thing, and a machine takes care of the rest.
Every director in the series, as you mentioned, created their own unique “Alien” film. What features does this film contain that others might not because of you?
It’s obviously not me, though. Every movie was released in a distinct period of filmmaking, which explains why they are all so diverse, with a six-year interval roughly between each release. However, it was truly returning it to its origins for me. Not only did I wish to return to the original films’ aesthetic, but also to their original genre. I truly wanted to return to the pure terror of the original movie and incorporate the thriller elements found in both “Aliens” and “Alien 3.” We took extreme measures to adhere strictly to the previous film’s cinematic methods. However, if someone is concerned, “Will it be too retro?” Avoid worry, 2023 will pour through every window. There’s no way to stop the modernity of filmmaking. And from that combination of the best of the classics and the best of today, then you have something new.
How difficult was it to strike a balance between the future technology of the more recent movies and the little green computer monitors from “Alien”?
I am aware that many others thought it was nonsensical. However, I believe we err when we see Nostromo and believe that’s how the cosmos is made up of all things. If I were an alien filmmaker filming on Earth today and I went to the Mojave Desert and took an old truck because I saw a guy driving a Chevy, you would think, “That’s what the world looks like.” However, this does not negate the possibility that the “Prometheus” ship—a man driving a Tesla—is present in the city. vehicle drivers in a beat-up vehicle star in the first film. The richest man in the world possesses a ship called “Prometheus.”
It’s no secret that people adore the first two movies. I don’t mean to disparage any of the other films, but when you were writing and directing this film, were there any perceived or real faults in the way these stories were told that you took care to avoid?
Everyone entering a brand like this one, in my opinion, has a different definition of what this is or has to be. Given that “Evil Dead” is a comedy to many, several folks took it as a twist when I performed it with a straight face. However, if, like me, you watched the first one as a child, there’s nothing humorous about it. There were locations in the “Alien” franchise that Ridley and the directors were really interested in, even though they had little to do with the overall terror. However, I think that “Alien” is most effective when it’s frightening and action-packed, like in “Aliens.” The shock and terror of Personally, I thought that world was the best.
