The excitement surrounding “Alien: Romulus” reached a fever pitch at San Diego Comic-Con, where the film’s cast and crew delivered a spine-chilling presentation that left fans both thrilled and terrified. Director Fede Álvarez, along with actors Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, took to the iconic Hall H stage to discuss the upcoming installment of the beloved “Alien” franchise, set to hit theaters on August 16.
“Alien: Romulus” is positioned between the original “Alien” and its sequel “Aliens,” both of which starred the legendary Sigourney Weaver. The film follows a group of young space colonizers who find themselves in a deadly confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe—the Xenomorph. The narrative promises to blend the franchise’s signature elements of science fiction and horror, returning to the roots that made the original films so iconic.
During the panel, three new clips from the film were unveiled, showcasing the terrifying encounters the colonists face. The first clip opened with a haunting rendition of the poem “I Have A Rendezvous With Death,” setting a foreboding tone as the colonists encountered Xenomorphs, facehuggers, and chestbursters. In a particularly harrowing scene, Jonsson’s character, Andy, is seen being repaired with parts from another synthetic that has been gruesomely ripped in half. As the crew attempts to fix him, they discover they are surrounded by alien pods that begin to hatch, unleashing chaos.
The tension escalated in another clip featuring Spaeny’s character, Rain Carradine, who finds herself trapped in an escape ship with Aileen Wu’s Navarro. The horror intensifies as Navarro realizes she has an alien inside her, leading to a shocking chestburster moment that left the audience gasping. Just when the crowd thought they had seen it all, Álvarez shared a personal anecdote about having nightmares involving the franchise’s iconic creatures. Suddenly, the lights in Hall H went dark, alarms blared, and animatronic facehuggers scuttled across the stage, creating a truly immersive and terrifying experience.
The panel concluded with a final clip showcasing Spaeny’s Rain desperately trying to escape a hallway where a fully formed Xenomorph has just hatched. To commemorate the event, all attendees received facehugger masks and participated in a massive photo opportunity with the cast and crew.
The pressure of joining such an iconic franchise was not lost on the cast. Merced, who plays Kay, expressed her awareness of the expectations, while Jonsson emphasized the importance of disassociating from that pressure to deliver authentic performances. The panel also featured video messages from notable figures in the horror genre, including Ridley Scott and Guillermo del Toro, who posed questions to Álvarez and the cast.
When asked to rank the films in the franchise, Álvarez hesitated, citing the original 1979 “Alien” as his favorite while playfully acknowledging that “AVPR: Aliens vs Predator – Requiem” might not be the best entry. The original “Alien” introduced audiences to Ellen Ripley, played by Weaver, who faces off against a deadly alien in the depths of space. The sequel, “Aliens,” continues Ripley’s story as she confronts the alien threat once more.
“Alien: Romulus” aims to recapture the essence of the franchise’s early days, focusing on themes of siblinghood and the bonds that form in the face of unimaginable terror. Álvarez revealed that the film’s title reflects this theme, as it explores the question of whether one would sacrifice for a loved one in dire circumstances.
The cast shared their experiences filming with practical effects, which were a significant departure from the reliance on CGI in many modern films. Jonsson recounted a particularly challenging scene where he had to throw a Xenomorph, leading to a humorous moment when he joked about the creature’s ferocity.
As the panel wrapped up, the actors offered their advice on how to deal with face-hugging aliens, with Fearn humorously suggesting that running away was the best course of action. Álvarez, who has a deep appreciation for the franchise, emphasized his desire to honor the original films while also introducing new elements that would resonate with fans.
With the release of “Alien: Romulus” just around the corner, anticipation is building for what promises to be a thrilling addition to the franchise. The film aims to blend nostalgia with fresh storytelling, ensuring that both longtime fans and newcomers will be captivated by the horrors lurking in the depths of space.
As the countdown to the film’s release continues, fans are left eagerly awaiting the chance to experience the terror of “Alien: Romulus” on the big screen. The combination of a talented cast, a visionary director, and the legacy of the “Alien” franchise sets the stage for a cinematic experience that is sure to leave audiences on the edge of their seats.
Source: Variety, PEOPLE
