The latest addition to the Alien franchise, Alien: Romulus, has concluded its principal photography. The news came straight from director Fede Álvarez, who took to Instagram on July 4 to share a black-and-white image of himself enjoying a cigar to celebrate this achievement just outside of his trailer.
This marks an exciting milestone for fans of the Iconis franchise – the beginning of the post-production phase and a step closer to the film’s eventual release.
Álvarez, known for his horror masterpieces like 2013’s Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, is no stranger to the chilling and the macabre. This makes him a fitting choice to lead the ninth installment in the Alien series, a franchise known for its ruthless xenomorphs and the visceral terror they inspire.
The upcoming Alien movie is a breath of fresh air, deviating from Ridley Scott’s overwatching narrative. Instead, it promises to be an independent story, opening the door for a new wave of audiences to experience the terror and thrill that Alien has offered for over four decades. For veteran fans, it’s a chance to reminisce about the franchise’s classic roots. For newbies, it’s an opportunity to delve into a universe where survival against an otherworldly foe is the only constant.
Despite the shroud of mystery surrounding the film’s plot, we do know that it revolves around “a group of young people on a distant world, who find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe.”
In true Alien fashion, the plot echoes the franchise’s long-standing themes of human survival against xenomorphs in a remote, hostile environment. The suspense surrounding the narrative is just another testament to the anticipation for the film.
With the filming concluded in Budapest, Hungary, fans can now look forward to the film to premiere on August 16, 2024. While it was initially believed that the film would premiere on Hulu, similar to the Predator franchise addition Prey, recent announcements confirmed that it will indeed receive a theatrical release.
While Alien: Romulus might be the ninth live-action entry in the series, it’s also an opportunity for a fresh start. Much like Prey, it could serve as an entirely standalone story that doesn’t offer direct connections to previous films. With a new set of characters and the directorial brilliance of Álvarez, Alien: Romulus is poised to bring back the essence of the original Alien movie, harkening back to the deep-rooted terror that made the franchise a cultural phenomenon.
As the Alien franchise gears up for its next terrifying chapter, one thing is clear: its legacy will endure and evolve, forever captivating the audience with its spine-chilling horror and mesmerizing storytelling.
One can’t help but recall the words of the legendary Ridley Scott, the man who started it all: “In space, no one can hear you scream.
It’s time for a new generation to hear that chilling silence for themselves when Alien: Romulus hits the theatres in August 2024. The space horror genre is about to be reignited, and we are all in for a thrilling ride.
