‘Alien: Romulus’ Director Fede Alvarez Explains Why His Alien Cast is Much Younger Than the Previous Films: ‘The Younger the People the Tougher it is to Watch Them Die’

As a die-hard fan of the “Alien” franchise, I was both excited and intrigued by Fede Álvarez’s take on “Alien: Romulus.” The director’s intent to pay homage to the original films while modernizing it for contemporary audiences was a refreshing approach. The young cast he opted for allowed me to connect with the characters more deeply, and I appreciated how they brought new perspectives to the table.

Fede Álvarez, the director of “Alien: Romulus,” expressed his desire to honor the earlier films in the Alien series but also make this installment unique with a modern twist. He aimed to create a film that would stand out on its own and appeal to contemporary audiences.

As a movie enthusiast, I can tell you that in creating this new Alien film, we carefully preserved the iconic aspects that made the original movies great. We didn’t feel the need to change those elements because they were already perfect. But, at the same time, we infused the production with fresh and innovative ideas – making it a contemporary take on the classic storyline. I truly hope that our version will stand alongside its predecessors and that for me, every moment spent in the cinema, watching an Alien movie, feels like a thrilling and enjoyable experience – be it the first or the hundredth time.

Instead of using a older cast like his previous films, he chose a younger one to connect with the audience and imagine how it would be for young people to live in a sci-fi colony at the end of the world, facing an unknown creature. These actors are more relatable as they have no prior knowledge about the world they’re entering.

From a cinephile’s perspective, I truly appreciate the director’s decision to cast a young ensemble for our horror project. He shared an intriguing insight: “Generally speaking, it’s more challenging for the audience when younger characters meet their demise in horror films. Agreed? An elderly person dying on screen might evoke feelings of having lived a full life. But if a 12-year-old kid meets a grisly end, it can be heart-wrenching.”

And he knows, “it’s our job to terrify.”

I was thrilled beyond words when Ridley Scott gave a thumbs-up to my newest addition to the “Alien” saga. His approval meant the world to me, and I expressed my deep gratitude, saying, “I’m so thankful you trusted us with this project.”

The actors including Álvarez, Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, and the rest of the “Alien: Romulus” cast appeared at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con hosted by Google TV’s EbMaster Studio. They discussed the new installment in the franchise and shared how they intended to preserve its storied past.

Spaeny and Merced pondered their roles in a film franchise, starting with Sigourney Weaver’s iconic portrayal of Ripley, that consistently puts women and female characters in leading roles within the action-horror genre.

Spaeny was thankful that she didn’t experience much pressure when taking on her role, largely due to Weaver’s influential portrayal clearing the path for actresses like herself.

In her own perspective, Sigourney Weaver significantly blazed a trail and deliberately chose to challenge the norms for women in horror and sci-fi genres beforehand. When I took on the role, it wasn’t simple; there was considerable pressure. Nevertheless, I felt at ease in that position.

Merced pondered over how her co-star Aileen Wu’s character, Navarro, was portrayed in the script, noticing the authentic intelligence that shone through. This authenticity resulted in more genuine and honorable depictions of their female characters.

In Merced’s opinion, Navarro’s shrewd choices in the film are more convincing due to Kaylee’s own intellect. What makes the movie fascinating is that despite facing insurmountable odds, their intelligence typically helps them outwit their adversaries.

To discover which “Alien” film is favored by the cast, watch the entire interview above. In it, Merced shares her experiences in ensuring a perfect fit for her Hawkgirl costume in “Superman: Legacy.” Additionally, Spaeny recalls her first day on the set of Rian Johnson’s “Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery.”

2024-07-27 18:39

‘Alien: Romulus’ Director Fede Alvarez Explains Why His Alien Cast is Much Younger Than the Previous Films: ‘The Younger the People the Tougher it is to Watch Them Die’

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