Alien: RomulusdirectorFede Álvarezrecently addressed whether his upcoming film is as suspenseful as Ridley Scott’sAlienor driven by adrenaline-fueled action like James Cameron’sAliens. The latest entry to the Alien saga will put viewers into the harrowing journey as a group of explorers navigates the eerie corridors of an aged space station while confronting an extraterrestrial threat.
Speaking withEmpire Magazine, Álvarez dismisses the notion of pittingAlienagainstAliens, considering both as cinematic gems in their own right.
To ask an Alien fan to choose between them is a perverse question. So I thought, ‘How do I do both?’
Instead, he reveals his ingenious approach to merge the key elements of both films, drawing inspiration from their distinct visual styles and dynamic storylines.
There’s a moment where the characters are walking around areas familiar from the Nostromo. Then they cross through that building and on the other side: boom! You’re in a hallway that looks like Hadley’s Hope [the colony from Aliens]." The cross-pollination is reinforced by the feel of the film, with the first hour adopting the more deliberate, dread-laden atmosphere of Alien, before the action shifts from Remus to the titular Romulus and starts to lean closer to Aliens in both style and tempo.
Álvarez unveils moments within “Romulus” where echoes ofAlienandAliensare very evident. From traversing familiar landscapes reminiscent of the Nostromo to transitioning into the rugged corridors akin to Hadley’s Hope, the film seamlessly weaves elements from both predecessors.
Your subconscious is like, ‘Why am I feeling I’m in Aliens again?’ The [mood] is telling you that sh*t is about to get more actiony and intense.
Álvarez’s vision manifests in the film’s nuanced ambiance, meticulously crafted to evoke the tension and unease that is characteristic ofAlien, before seamlessly transitioning to the pulse-pounding intensity reminiscent ofAliens.
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots. 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.
Fede Álvarez Pays Tribute to Ridley Scott & James Cameron’s Work in Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulusstars Cailee Spaeney, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu. Álvarez draws inspiration from the intricate character dynamics similar to James Cameron’sAliens. Through the sibling relationship portrayed by Spaeny’s Rain and Jonsson’s Andy, the director integrates the essence of Cameron’s narrative into the fabric of “Romulus.”
Visually, Álvarez pays tribute to Ridley Scott’s minimalist aesthetic inAlien, creating a stark, utilitarian backdrop that echoes the environment of its predecessor. Yet, embedded with this visual simplicity lies a nod to the technological sophistication showcased inAliens, showing Álvarez’s goal to honoring the legacy of both cinematic masterpieces.
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Álvarez expressed profound gratitude for the opportunity to collaborate with the esteemed Ridley Scott, who serves as the film’s producer. Álvarez described the experience as a dream come true, saying:
“For all of us and whatever it is that we do, the dream is to sit down with the masters of our craft and have a conversation about what we do and learn how to do it better. And the process of making this film definitely gave me that experience with Ridley."
Álvarez stressed the invaluable insights gained from Scott, pointing out their discussions on the story, script, and final cut of the film. He also shared that heconsulted with Cameron regarding the intricate detailsabout the film. Álvarez admitted the veteran director even graciously thanked them for the chance to brainstorm with them.
At the end of the phone call, he [Cameron] thanked us for letting him brainstorm with us, which I found hilarious. I was like, ‘You don’t have to thank us; it’s the best day ever for us!’
Alien: Romulusis scheduled to premiere in theaters on June 11, 2025.
