Romulus Hints at Multiple References to the Original Alien

The seventh installment in the iconic Alien franchise is on the horizon, and with the release date approaching, 20th Century Studios has unveiled the final full-length trailer. Ridley Scott’s 1979 original and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel are celebrated classics, but the subsequent four films have sparked more divided opinions. The big question now is, can Fede Álvarez, director of Evil Dead (2013), rejuvenate the series with Alien: Romulus?

So far, signs indicate that the series might be back on track. Álvarez seems like an inspired choice for the director’s chair. Both of his previous horror outings, Evil Dead and Don’t Breathe, received critical acclaim, and his preference for practical effects is a perfect match for an Alien movie.

In a conversation with Variety, star Cailee Spaeny revealed that the production team behind Alien: Romulus included the same experts who crafted the xenomorphs in Cameron’s Aliens, an exciting revelation for fans of the franchise. Spaeny also confirmed that the new film takes place between the events of Alien and Aliens.

The final trailer, which fans can now view, hints at many franchise staples to look forward to, like the sinister Xenomorphs and the menacing facehuggers. Alien: Romulus follows a group of space colonists who venture into the deserted Romulus space station in a bid to salvage equipment for sale. Their mission takes a horrifying turn as they uncover the grim reasons behind the station’s abandonment.

While the trailer offers plenty of terrifying moments, there is a concern it might reveal too much. One scene, a clear homage to the original chestburster moment, seemed to stretch on, raising fears of potential spoilers. Hopefully, the finished film will include more surprises and scares than what the trailer suggests, possibly with some scenes serving as clever misdirects.

Fans of the 1979 Alien film will appreciate the trailer’s eerie inclusion of “You Are My Lucky Star,” the song Ripley sings in the original movie. This nod to the past adds an extra layer of anticipation for longtime followers of the series.

In addition to Alien: Romulus, the franchise has more in store for fans. They can look forward to Noah Hawley’s upcoming FX series Alien: Earth, which has just wrapped filming and is expected to debut in 2025.

Alien: Romulus carries an R rating due to its graphic violent content and some strong language. The film is set to hit theaters and IMAX on August 16.

Source: Various sources