The excitement was palpable at San Diego Comic-Con 2024 as the Alien: Romulus panel took center stage in Hall H. Director Fede Alvarez, along with a talented cast including Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Aileen Wu, engaged the audience with thrilling insights and exclusive footage from the upcoming film.
“Do you want to see more footage?” Alvarez asked, prompting an enthusiastic response from the crowd. The audience erupted in cheers, signaling their eagerness for this new chapter in the iconic Alien franchise, which has been a staple of science fiction horror since Ridley Scott’s original film debuted 45 years ago.
The panel showcased an extended clip featuring Spaeny and her crew navigating a dimly lit alien lab. The tension escalated as baby aliens emerged from the walls, reminiscent of the infamous trash compactor scene from Star Wars. Another clip took a darker turn, depicting a shocking moment where Aileen Wu’s character, Laura, experiences a chestburster incident while a spaceship struggles to take off.
As the panel progressed, the atmosphere shifted dramatically. Red lights flashed, and sirens blared throughout Hall H, creating an immersive experience for attendees. Suddenly, facehuggers crawled onto the stage, and an actor, appearing to be in distress, staggered forward, only to have an alien burst from his chest. This guerilla theater moment left the audience both thrilled and horrified. To top it off, every attendee received facehugger masks, adding to the immersive experience.
Set between the events of Scott’s 1979 film and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, Alien: Romulus aims to explore new themes. Alvarez expressed his desire to introduce fresh faces to the franchise, stating, “I wanted fresh faces, ones you didn’t associate with another character.” David Jonsson plays a synthetic character, echoing the role of Michael Fassbender in the prequels.
Alvarez emphasized the unpredictability of the film, noting, “Nothing tells you in the first movie that Sigourney (Weaver) was going to survive; anyone can really die.” This sentiment resonates throughout Romulus, which promises a high body count and intense suspense.
Spaeny shared her audition experience, recalling how she left in tears after meeting Alvarez for another project. “I think he remembered that,” she said, reflecting on her excitement to join the Alien universe. The director chose to shoot the film chronologically, a decision that added to the challenges of creating a new installment in such a beloved franchise.
Ridley Scott, a producer on the film, joined the panel via video call, asking Alvarez about the new themes in Romulus. The director explained that the film explores sibling relationships, a theme not previously delved into in the franchise. “This is the first time you have really close people that really love each other,” he said, raising the stakes for the characters as they face unimaginable horrors.
The panel also featured a humorous moment when Jonsson recounted his experience filming with facehuggers. He revealed that while filming a scene, he became so engrossed in the action that he accidentally detached his retina. “I whip it around and it hits me in the eye,” he explained, a cautionary tale for anyone getting too caught up in the excitement of battling these iconic creatures.
The audience was treated to additional clips that showcased the film’s blend of horror and science fiction. One clip featured Jonsson’s character, Andy, malfunctioning and being repaired by his crew in a room filled with alien pods. As the pods began to hatch, chaos ensued, highlighting the film’s tension and horror elements.
Another clip depicted Spaeny’s character, Rain, trapped in an escape pod with Wu’s Navarro, who discovers an alien embryo inside her. The scene escalated as the chestburster emerged, leaving the audience gasping in shock.
As the panel concluded, attendees were invited to participate in a group photo with the cast and Alvarez, all donning their facehugger masks. The camaraderie and excitement in the room were palpable, as fans eagerly anticipated the film’s release.
In a light-hearted moment, the cast discussed the pressure of joining such an iconic franchise. Merced, who plays Kay, acknowledged the weight of expectations, while Jonsson emphasized the importance of disassociating from that pressure to deliver authentic performances.
The panel also featured video messages from industry legends, including Guillermo del Toro and Dan Trachtenberg, who posed questions to Alvarez and the cast. The director shared his admiration for the original film and expressed his commitment to honoring its legacy while introducing new elements to the story.
As the event wrapped up, attendees left Hall H buzzing with excitement for Alien: Romulus, set to hit theaters on August 16, 2024. The combination of thrilling footage, engaging discussions, and the unforgettable facehugger invasion made for a memorable experience at Comic-Con.
With its blend of horror, science fiction, and deep emotional themes, Alien: Romulus promises to be a worthy addition to the franchise. Fans are left eagerly awaiting the film’s release, ready to confront the terrifying life forms that await them in the depths of space.
Source: Variety, IGN, Hollywood Reporter
