Alien: Romulus – A New Chapter in the Iconic Sci-Fi Franchise
Alien: Romulus has finally hit theaters, and the anticipation among horror and sci-fi enthusiasts is palpable. Directed by Fede Álvarez, known for his work on the 2013 Evil Dead remake and Don’t Breathe (2016), this seventh installment in the Alien series promises to deliver the same spine-chilling experience that fans have come to expect. Set between the events of the original Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986), this film aims to bridge the gap between two of the most celebrated entries in the franchise.
Aileen Wu’s Breakthrough Role
One of the most intriguing aspects of Alien: Romulus is the debut of Aileen Wu, who plays Navarro, a spaceship pilot with some very close encounters with the titular aliens. Wu, a graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts and the Stella Adler Studio of Acting, brings a fresh perspective to the franchise. Her journey from audition to landing the role was nothing short of a whirlwind.
The Audition Process
Wu recalls the intense audition process: “I got a self-tape request, and two days later, I had a callback. Two days after that, I received the full script, and then I was on a call with Fede, who was already in Budapest. He was trying to psych me out, saying things like, ‘You’re going to be covered in blood. You’re going to be sitting in this hole for eight hours. You can’t get claustrophobic, are you claustrophobic?’ I assured him I wasn’t, even though I used to have a big claustrophobia problem back in high school.” Within days, Wu found herself on a plane to Budapest, ready to dive into the world of Alien.
The Realization of a Dream
Wu’s first major scene involved piloting the spaceship, a task that required her to work closely with a real pilot to understand the intricacies of the controls. “Naaman Marshall, our production designer, did an incredible job making everything practical. Every button I pressed responded. It was surreal,” Wu shares. This attention to detail made her realize the scale of the production she was part of.
A Lifelong Connection to the Franchise
Wu’s connection to the Alien franchise began in her childhood, thanks to her older brother’s collection of action figures. “He always had a Xenomorph on his shelf. I didn’t know what it was, but I knew it looked different from Thor and Captain America. When I landed the role, I watched the first Alien movie and realized my brother was right—I was way too young to watch it back then.”
The Facehugger Experience
One of the most iconic elements of the Alien franchise is the facehugger, and Wu had the unique experience of working with this creature. “The facehuggers had their own studio on set. When we were filming in Budapest, it felt like walking into Hugger Depot. They had shelves of tails, tongues, and finger parts. The first thing they had me do was taste test a bunch of lube for the glistening effect. The facehugger itself was heavy, around three pounds, and made of silicone, making it hard to breathe.”
The Chestburster Scene
Another memorable moment for Wu was the chestburster scene, a staple of the Alien series. “The chestburster was made by Alec Gillis and his team, who worked on the original Alien movies. The scene took about half a week to shoot and involved multiple prosthetic parts. The first part was a piece with a pump and a balloon to show my rib cage. The second part involved a large chest piece with a lever that would pop open, allowing the chestburster puppet to emerge.”
The Premiere and Beyond
The premiere of Alien: Romulus was a surreal experience for Wu. “Ridley Scott gave me a fist bump right before we took a group photo. That was crazy. He was so chill about it.” Wu’s excitement is evident as she encourages everyone to watch the film: “Everyone must watch this film, unless you’re 70 years and above and have a heart condition. Then you can, for safety measures, stay at home.”
For those eager to dive into the world of Alien: Romulus, you can watch the trailer here.
Alien: Romulus is more than just another entry in a long-running franchise; it’s a testament to the enduring appeal of the Alien universe and a showcase for new talent like Aileen Wu. Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this film promises to deliver a thrilling experience that will leave you on the edge of your seat.