Summary
AnAlien: Romulussequel became highly-demanded almost as soon as the new film was released. Director Fede Álvarez wants to make anAlien: Romulussequel, but he explained why they aren’t going to rush it.
Alien: Romuluswas released to box office success and critical acclaim. While some criticizedAlien: Romulusfor overusing easter eggs and referencesto the franchise’s past for nostalgic purposes, the film was widely praised for the performances of lead stars Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. Some even argued it was the bestAlienfilm since the first two. Naturally, fans want the franchise to build onAlien: Romulus' success and Álvarez provided an update on where everyone stands on a sequel.
During an interview withi09, Álvarez reiterated 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell’s comments aboutÁlvarez working onAlien: Romulussequel ideas.However, Álvarez said they won’t move forward with a sequel until they have a story worth telling. Álvarez explained that if they simply make anAlien: Romulussequel just because the first was a hit, it will lead to disaster:
Well, I mean, we definitely want to do it. The studio wants to do it. I want to do it. I think with sequels, it’s always about finding the right story. Me and Rodo [Sayagues], my co-writer, we have some ideas, but it’s not until we find something that we go “Ok,thatis a movie worth making” that we really embark on it. So that’s the process we are in right now, trying to find a story that is worthy of everyone’s time and is worthy of the title.
Otherwise, you never want to fall into the mistake of making [a sequel] just because the first one is a big hit … [making a sequel] just because youcanmake it, that’s always a recipe for disaster.
Álvarez’s concerns are not unfounded. Rushed sequels have rarely if ever worked out. Ridley Scott’sAlienwas followed by James Cameron’sAliens, a rare sequel that was well-regarded as its predecessor, if not more. Unfortunately, theAlienfranchise has had mixed results since then. While most fans were thrilled with Álvarez’s entry into the franchise, many still want anAlien: Romulussequel to avoid repeatingthe film series' past mistakes.
Alien: Romulushas an obvious prequel idea. The film is primarily set in an abandoned research station called Renaissance, where the main characters discover everyone on its crew is either missing or dead. The Xenomorph that was captured by the Renaissance wreaked havoc on the vessel beforeRomulusbegins, and some fans would like to see that story unfold on screen.
However, Álvarez and Asbell’s comments indicate they want to continue theAlien: Romulusstoryline, with hopes of Spaeny and Jonsson reprising their roles. Of course, there’s no reason multipleAlienstorylines can be told. Studios are all about building a shared universe, so it wouldn’t be out of the question for 20th Century Studios to produce severalAlienfilms from different points in the franchise’s timeline. Whether that’s a good thing is debatable, as even the MCU, the most successful shared universe franchise in Hollywood, is having difficulty maintaining quality. Still, fans want anAlien: Romulussequel, and it sounds like everyone involved in the first film wants to deliver one.
Alien: Romulusis available on Disney Plus
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
