The latest installment of Alien, known as Romulus, was unveiled at Comic-Con by Fede Alvarez. This version of the 45-year-old franchise is the first hatched under the Disney-Fox merger. The audience at Hall H got an extended look at the film, featuring Cailee Spaeny and her astronaut posse exploring a red-lit alien lab-incubator area. The scene included baby aliens popping out of the wall, reminiscent of the trash-compactor monster from Star Wars. Another clip showcased Aileen Wu’s character getting her chest burst by a baby alien while a spaceship is taking off clumsily.
Alvarez took the classic panel chat-and-clips formula up a notch by incorporating a theatrical element at Comic-Con. Toward the end of the panel, sirens blared as alien facehuggers crawled on stage, followed by an actor foaming at the mouth as an alien burst out of his chest. Attendees in Hall H were rewarded with alien facehugger masks, adding to the immersive experience of the presentation.
The new Alien film is set between the original 1979 movie and James Cameron’s 1986 Aliens, giving it a unique position in the franchise timeline. Alvarez chose fresh faces for the cast to avoid associations with previous characters. David Jonsson plays a synthetic in the movie, similar to Michael Fassbender’s role in the Ridley Scott-directed prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. The director emphasized the unpredictability of the storyline, highlighting the theme of mortality and the possibility of any character meeting a grim fate.
Ridley Scott, a producer on the sequel, posed a question to Alvarez about the new themes explored in the film. The director mentioned that Romulus focuses on siblinghood, delving into the real human connections among characters. The dynamics of close relationships and the dilemma of choosing between loyalty and self-preservation are central to the narrative. Additionally, Alvarez hinted at exploring the psychosexual aspects of the story, drawing inspiration from the original film while adding his own twist.
The presentation of Alien: Romulus at Comic-Con showcased a fresh take on the iconic franchise, blending familiar elements with new themes and character dynamics. With an emphasis on unpredictability and emotional depth, the film promises to captivate audiences with its immersive storytelling and innovative approach to the sci-fi genre.
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