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Alien: Romulus brings terror to San Diego Comic-Con
A new chapter in the Alien saga
The Alien franchise has always been synonymous with spine-chilling horror and intense sci-fi action. The latest installment, Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede Alvarez, promises to uphold this legacy. The film, set to hit theaters on August 16, was the highlight of San Diego Comic-Con, where Alvarez and the cast, including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, gathered to discuss the upcoming release.
Between Alien and Aliens
Alien: Romulus is set in the timeline between Ridley Scott’s original Alien and James Cameron’s sequel Aliens. The plot centers around a group of young people on a distant world who find themselves in a deadly confrontation with the universe’s most terrifying life form. This setting provides a rich backdrop for exploring new dimensions of fear and survival.
Sneak peeks and spine-chilling clips
Three new clips were unveiled at the event, each reinforcing the franchise’s signature blend of science fiction and horror. The first clip featured a haunting rendition of the poem “I Have A Rendezvous With Death,” setting a grim tone as the new colonists encounter Xenomorphs, facehuggers, and chestbursters. In a particularly harrowing scene, David Jonsson’s character, Andy, is being repaired with parts from another synthetic, only for the crew to realize they are surrounded by alien pods that begin to hatch.
In another clip, Spaeny’s character, Rain Carradine, finds herself trapped in an escape ship with Aileen Wu’s Navarro. To their horror, they discover that Navarro has an alien inside her, which soon bursts out of her chest. The final clip showed Rain desperately trying to escape a hallway where a fully formed Xenomorph had just hatched.
A nightmarish experience
The Comic-Con presentation took a dramatic turn when an audience member asked if the cast ever had nightmares about the aliens. As Alvarez began to respond, the hall went dark, red lights and sirens blared, and animatronic facehuggers scuttled across the stage. The spectacle culminated with an actor simulating a chestburster scene, much to the audience’s shock and delight.
Embracing the legacy
Joining the Alien franchise is no small feat, and the cast acknowledged the pressure of living up to its iconic status. Isabela Merced, who plays Kay, expressed the collective understanding of this responsibility. David Jonsson added that the cast aimed to “disassociate from the pressure” to deliver a fresh yet faithful addition to the Alien universe.
A nod to the past
Ridley Scott, the creator of the Alien universe, and Guillermo del Toro made virtual appearances to ask Alvarez and the cast questions. When asked to rank the films, Alvarez diplomatically avoided naming a worst, though he did mention that the original 1979 Alien remains his favorite, while AVPR: Aliens vs Predator – Requiem was perhaps a “not so good” iteration.
The enduring appeal of Alien
The Alien franchise has captivated audiences for decades, beginning with Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ellen Ripley in the original Alien. Ripley’s battle against the deadly alien in space set the stage for a series of films that expanded the universe and deepened the lore. From Aliens to Alien 3, Alien: Resurrection, Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and the crossover Alien vs. Predator, each film has contributed to the rich tapestry of the Alien saga.
For those eager to dive into the world of Alien: Romulus, you can watch the trailer here.
Personal reflections: As a long-time fan of the Alien franchise, the anticipation for Alien: Romulus is palpable. The blend of horror and science fiction has always been a compelling draw, and the new film promises to deliver on both fronts. The clips shown at Comic-Con suggest a return to the franchise’s roots, with a focus on atmospheric tension and visceral scares. The involvement of Fede Alvarez, known for his work in the horror genre, adds an extra layer of excitement. It’s clear that Alien: Romulus aims to honor the legacy of its predecessors while carving out its own place in the Alien universe.
