The much-anticipated sequel to Alien: Romulus receives an intriguing update from its director, Fede Alvarez. This film, which debuted seven years after Alien: Covenant, focuses on a young crew that encounters a fearsome Xenomorph aboard a deserted space station. With positive reviews from critics and a notable box office performance, the future of the series is looking bright, prompting confirmation that Alvarez is in the early stages of developing a sequel.
In a recent conversation with Empire, Alvarez shared insights about the direction for the Alien: Romulus sequel. He hinted at meaningful changes, stating that audiences can look forward to exploring new dimensions within the franchise. While the sequel is expected to diverge from its predecessor, he indicated that characters Rain, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny, and Andy, played by David Jonsson, are likely to return. Here’s what he had to say:
Rodo [Sayagues, co-writer] and I are working on that right now. We’re excited about where it can go. We’ve almost checked all of the boxes of things that I want to see [in Romulus], and brought back a lot of the things I hadn’t seen in a while. Wherever we go now, we can go into uncharted waters. I think it’ll be so exciting to go with characters you know from this movie, to a place in the Alien franchise that we’ve never been before, and to discover things that you’ve never seen before.
However, Alvarez emphasized that a direct sequel to Romulus is not yet definite. He noted that it will proceed only if he and Sayagues can craft a compelling narrative:
The mistake usually with sequels is to make them because you can, and because of the success of Romulus, we definitely can make a sequel. But I wouldn’t do it unless we have a really good idea for it, something that’s worthy of the title.
Implications of Alvarez’s Update for the Alien: Romulus Sequel
Addressing Feedback in Future Installments
Upon release, Alien: Romulus received commendations, boasting an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and emerged as a box office success, raking in $350 million against an $80 million budget. Nonetheless, some critics pointed out that the film occasionally resembled a “greatest hits” compilation, revisiting familiar tropes from the franchise. With Alvarez hinting at a new direction for the sequel, fans may hope to sidestep these criticisms and experience fresh narratives.
The conclusion of Alien: Romulus sets the stage for a potential sequel, with Rain and Andy embarking on a journey to Yvaga III. With Spaeny and Jonsson highlighted for their outstanding performances—especially Jonsson’s—there is a strong foundation to build upon for a sequel.
Spaeny recently appeared in A24’s Civil War, while Jonsson gained recognition for his role in the series Industry.
Our Perspective on Alvarez’s Sequel Insights
Alvarez: The Ideal Visionary for the Franchise
Although certain aspects of the film might feel reminiscent, Alien: Romulus is undeniably a captivating entry in the franchise. One of its most striking moments is the conclusion, which introduces the Xenomorph hybrid known as the Offspring, showcasing Alvarez’s distinct horror filmmaking approach. Should the sequel harness the bizarre elements introduced in this climactic sequence and embrace the eccentricity of the Alien universe, it could further elevate the franchise.
Unlike the previous installments, which featured standalone protagonists, the possibility of following Rain and Andy can create stronger continuity. With proper development, Rain could evolve into a formidable hero reminiscent of Ripley, enriching the mythos of the series. Although many questions linger regarding the direction of the Alien: Romulus sequel, excitement is undoubtedly building.
Source: Empire
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