MOVIE NEWS – Alien: Romulus is officially getting a sequel, but according to producer Michael Pruss, it may not be a direct continuation of Fede Álvarez’s 2024 film. Despite earning over $350 million at the global box office and receiving widespread critical acclaim, those in charge of the Alien franchise are considering taking the series in a new direction.

Alien: Romulus was one of the most well-received horror films of 2024 and is now regarded as one of the best entries in the Alien universe—a franchise known for its uneven critical reception. The movie followed Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine, a miner seeking escape from a corporate-controlled world. Along with her brother Andy, she joins a group of miners on a mission to retrieve escape pods that could take them to Yvaga III. However, these pods are hidden within an abandoned space station infested with facehuggers, turning their quest into a nightmare.

Speaking to Screen Rant at the Saturn Awards, producer Michael Pruss shared insights about the upcoming sequel, which still involves Ridley Scott and Fede Álvarez. Surprisingly, the creative team is uncertain whether the next film will directly follow Romulus, despite the presence of survivors from the first movie.

“I am involved in the sequel with Ridley and our friends and colleagues and Fede, of course. We are working on ideas for another Alien film, which may not be a direct sequel to Romulus, but it certainly is a part of the existing franchise.”

“At the moment, we’re doing what I call ‘sitting around tables and drinking water.’ We’re discussing ideas. Good movies take time—I just worked on Gladiator II, and that took 25 years to develop. It takes time to really examine ideas and determine if they’re worth pursuing. Sometimes they are, sometimes they aren’t, and we have to submit to the best idea.”

“We are still in an early phase,” Pruss continued. “But we hope to have something exciting to share later this year. I promise it won’t take 25 years—it’ll be sooner than that—but I don’t have more specifics yet. Right now, we’re just brainstorming with Fede and Ridley, trying to come up with something great that will generate the same reaction. Romulus was worth the wait, right? People loved it, embraced it, and it takes time to craft something just as impactful. But we want to make something truly special.”

Alien Sequels Have Always Been Divisive

Historically, Alien sequels have received mixed responses, with James Cameron’s Aliens being the only follow-up to receive widespread acclaim. Alien 3 remains one of the most controversial directorial debuts in David Fincher’s career, while Alien: Resurrection is equally as bizarre as it is divisive. Ridley Scott’s prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, also polarized fans by introducing themes that deviated from the core horror elements of the franchise.

Adding another layer to the franchise’s future, the upcoming prequel TV series Alien: Earth is set to debut in 2025, offering yet another perspective on the Alien universe.

Hopefully, whatever direction the next Alien film takes, it won’t attempt to rewrite the franchise’s legacy but instead follow Romulus’ example—delivering a fresh, terrifying Alien experience while staying true to the established lore.

Source: MovieWeb