Next Alien Movie in Early Development: Romulus Producer Teases It May Not Be a Direct Sequel

Alien: Romulus producer Michael Pruss has recently indicated that the upcoming installment of the **Alien** franchise may not directly follow the events of Romulus. Under the direction of Fede Alvarez, this new movie features Cailee Spaeny as Rain and David Jonsson as Andy, who, as part of a youthful crew, encounter a dreaded Xenomorph on a deserted space station. Critics have responded positively to **Alien: Romulus**, which has also performed admirably at the box office. Following its success, confirmation surfaced regarding Alvarez’s work on a sequel.

In a recent conversation with ScreenRant during the Saturn Awards, Pruss offered insights into the sequel’s development trajectory, noting that it is still in the formative stages. He emphasized that a variety of story directions are being considered, including those that do not necessarily continue the storyline established in Romulus. However, specifics about which path they will take remain undetermined. Below is Pruss’ commentary:

I am involved in the sequel with Ridley and our friends and colleagues and Fede, of course.We are working on ideas for another Alien film, which may not be a direct sequel to Romulus, but it certainly is a part of the existing franchise.

At the moment, we’re doing what I call “sitting around tables and drinking water.”We’re discussing ideas. Good movies take time, and I just worked on Gladiator II, and that took 25 years to conjure up a sequel. It takes a period of time to really examine ideas and understand if those ideas are worth pushing. Sometimes they are, and sometimes they aren’t, and we just have to submit to the best idea.

We are in an early phase, but we hope to really have something special to talk about as the year goes on. I promise it won’t be 25 years; it’ll be sooner than that, but I don’t have more specifics. We aren’t yet in a more specific phase than just working with Fede and Ridley to try and come up with something great that will frankly garner the same reaction. Romulus was worth the wait, right? People loved it, they embraced it, and so it takes time to do it. But we want to give you something great.

Implications of Pruss’ Update for Future Alien Movies

Insights from Fede Alvarez on the Next Chapter

Warning! Spoilers ahead for Alien: Romulus.

Following the divisive reception of Alien: Covenant (2017), Romulus represents a fresh creative direction for the franchise with new characters and narrative arcs. The film concludes with Rain and Andy as its sole survivors, venturing toward Yvaga III. Alvarez has hinted at the idea of featuring these characters in future installments, as discussed in an interview with Empire:

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, Pruss’ remarks suggest that both Alvarez and Ridley Scott are open to various storytelling avenues, indicating that the project remains in its brainstorming phase. Despite this, interest from both Alvarez and Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, suggests that Rain and Andy’s return remains a definite possibility.

Alien: Romulus has earned $350 million globally, achieving a Rotten Tomatoes score of 80%, with audiences rating it even higher at 85%.

Our Perspective on the Next Alien Installment

The Case for Andy & Rain’s Return

Cailee Spaeny reflecting as Rain in Alien Romulus

One key critique levelled against Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant is the lack of continuity in character arcs, such as Elizabeth Shaw’s (played by Noomi Rapace), who exits the narrative off-screen and lacks any presence in subsequent films. Given the favorable reception of Rain and Andy, reviving these characters would add depth and continuity to the franchise. Their return could create a new Ripley-like figure in Rain, potentially establishing strong connective tissue across future films.

Such continuity could enhance narrative cohesion, showcasing the growth of Rain and Andy over time and paving the way for intriguing story developments. While the future direction post-Romulus remains undecided, it is clear that Rain and Andy are characters deserving of further exploration.

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