Alien: Romulus Director Explains Why The Sci-Fi Tech Has Been So Different Across The Franchise
BY JEREMY MATHAI/MARCH 20, 2024 2:00 PM EST
All due respect to any other movies or shows trying to gain some space this week, good luck competing against "Alien: Romulus' teaser that dropped earlier today. Fans of "Alien" have eagerly anticipated seeing what horror filmmaker Fede Alvarez would bring to this new installment in their franchise; and what we saw did not disappoint. Since we started watching it nonstop since its premiere, the new Star Trek film seems like an impressive return to its 1979 original and its director's comments echo those from earlier prequel movies by Ridley Scott; we hope these quotes bring comfort as fans have endured several of them with mixed reviews in recent years.
Variety recently hosted an exclusive interview with Alvarez (renowned for the 2013 "Evil Dead" remake and original horror/thriller "Don't Breathe") to glean insight about this summer's release, expected in theaters. While discussing the challenges involved with creating an original story influenced equally by "Alien" and James Cameron's "Aliens", and outlining how this tale takes place at an exact point in time and depicting both advanced technology and old fashioned technology depictions, Ridley Scott also addressed one major misconception regarding both films for us shameless prequel apologists out there who still defend prequels (there are plenty of us!). He even provided insight on one particular myth surrounding both stories for further clarity of mind for these fans! Hundreds!
Let him cook!
No doubt you have heard some criticisms against "Prometheus." No scientists would be so naive as those seen in "Prometheus." Why didn't anyone running from a falling spaceship turn aside instead of running towards it? Furthermore, Ridley Scott contradicted himself by turning what are typically depictions of space miners into an Apple store in space - this last complaint goes right to the heart of an argument which could easily have consumed Fede Alvarez on "Alien: Romulus," too.
"Many have felt as if Prometheus makes no sense; but we make the error in thinking the Nostromo is representative of everything in space and time. For example, when watching Nostromo on Earth and viewing old trucks driven by guys driving Chevy cars on Earth as examples for an alien to see (with trucks instead of Teslas); an alien will think this world looks exactly the same way (even though there could be Teslas driving around somewhere within its cities - as would happen with truck drivers driving old models; Prometheus represents this in its true form as it portrays). Truck drivers driving older trucks around while this movie shows their rich counterpart 'Prometheus' ship, wherein richest man alive would reside."
Though Alvarez falls just short of proclaiming "Prometheus" the third best installment, it is clear he understands this franchise deeply - that was all I hoped for from our next "Alien" director! Bring it on!
"Alien: Romulus" will arrive in theaters on August 16, 2024.