What Is Alien: Romulus?

4 months ago

Everyone's talking about this new space film

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The Alien franchise is back, with the first instalment since Ridley Scott’s 2017 film Alien: Covenant. Amid a far-ranging franchise exploring the ghastly Xenomorph aliens, what will happen in Alien: Romulus, and when can we see it for ourselves? We’ve got the details.

Xenomorph in 20th Century Studios' ALIEN: ROMULUS

Alien: Romulus: Plot, Cast, Release Date & More

Directed by Fede Alvarez, Alien: Romulus was written by Alvarez and Rodo Sayagues in 2022, following Disney’s acquisition of 20th Century Fox in 2019 and the announcement that the Alien franchise would return. Originally set to debut on US streamer Hulu, the film was switched to a theatrical release just before filming commenced. Here’s what you can expect.

What Is Alien: Romulus?

Alien: Romulus is a standalone film in the Alien franchise, the seventh instalment in the film series. An interquel set between the events of Alien (1979) and Aliens (1986) (a not-inconsiderable 57 year gap), we follow a group of young space colonists who, while scavenging a derelict space station, come face to face with a terrifying life form.

More of a visual learner? Watch the trailer below.

Who Stars?

Cailee Spaeny as Rain Carradine
David Jonsson as Andy
Archie Renaux as Tyler
Isabela Merced as Kay
Spike Fearn as Bjorn
Aileen Wu as Navarro

Isabela Merced as Kay in 20th Century Studios' ALIEN: ROMULUS

A Guide To The Alien Franchise

So where does Romulus fit amongst all of the Alien films? And should they be watched in order? The full list of films in the franchise is as follows:

Alien (1979): The first film in the franchise and chronologically, Ridley Scott’s Alien introduces the crew of a spaceship called Nostromo, who then encounter a deadly extraterrestrial creature called a Xenomorph.
Aliens (1986): A sequel to Alien, Aliens focusses on returning character Ellen Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) who returns to confront the Xenomorphs alongside a group of space marines.
Alien 3 (1992): Set shortly after Aliens, Weaver returned again for Alien 3, where she battles a Xenomorph on a prison planet.
Alien Resurrection (1997): Expanding the franchise’s timeline considerably, Alien Resurrection is set 200 years after Alien 3, with Weaver starring again, but this time as a clone of Ellen Ripley.
Prometheus (2012): A prequel to the original Alien, Ridley Scott returned to the franchise for Prometheus, exploring the origins of humanity and the creation of Xenomorphs.
Alien: Covenant (2017): Also by Scott and a sequel to Prometheus, Alien: Covenant follows a colonisation mission that uncovers the dark secrets and deadly creatures on a remote planet.
Alien: Romulus (2024): Set between Alien and Aliens, Alien: Romulus is a standalone film in the franchise, and does not feature any characters who have previously starred.

Meanwhile, there are two crossover films with the Predator universe: Alien vs Predator (2004) and its sequel Alien vs Predator: Requiem (2007). There is also a TV series in the works, set three decades before the events of Alien, titled Alien: Earth.

It is generally recommended to watch the films in release date order, but if you’re interested in the chronological order, it is as follows: