Why Alien: Romulus sequel getting new director is a good thing

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Director Fede Álvarez, who helmed “Alien: Covenant,” has scripted the upcoming sequel, yet he won’t be in the director’s chair this time around. Here’s an explanation as to why this could be beneficial for the franchise.

The movie titled “Alien: Romulus” received widespread acclaim from both critics and viewers. It garnered an impressive 80% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and with an initial investment of only $80 million, it generated over $350 million in box office revenue.

In our Alien: Romulus review, we expressed our enthusiasm by stating that this movie is reminiscent of the original Alien films, being the first one in a while to recapture their enchantment and demonstrate the franchise’s ability to thrive when emphasizing horror elements rather than action.

Despite its past success, it appears significant alterations are being made to the upcoming Romulus sequel, which could potentially be just what the series requires.

This rephrased version aims to maintain a natural and easy-to-understand style while conveying the same message about the changes happening behind the scenes in the upcoming Romulus sequel and their potential benefits for the series.

Fede Alvarez no longer directing Alien: Romulus sequel

Film director Fede Álvarez, hailing from Uruguay, helmed the production of Alien: Romulus, having co-written the screenplay alongside his frequent partner Rodo Sayagues.

Although it appeared that the duo might carry out similar responsibilities in the upcoming sequel, this isn’t true, as Álvarez has recently disclosed that he won’t be directing it.

Álvarez recently completed the script for a new movie that continues the story of ‘Romulus’. However, he has decided to hand over the directing duties for this project.

As a collaborative gaming partner alongside Ridley Scott, I’m on the quest to discover the perfect filmmaker to join us in crafting our upcoming project. We’re currently scouring the vast landscape of talent to bring this vision to life together.

Why that’s a good thing for the franchise

It’s disappointing that Álvarez isn’t set to continue his story about the formidable heroine Rain and fascinating android Andy in Romulus. However, it’s beneficial for the Alien series that the upcoming movie will have a new director at the helm, as the franchise has consistently benefited from fresh perspectives and innovative ideas from various filmmakers.

The space horror genre was launched in 1979 when Ridley Scott masterfully created a chilling space-set haunted house movie that brought the most iconic movie monster of celluloid to life.

Scott initially established the atmosphere, developed a distinct visual style, and made Alien seem like a believable future setting. Later on, James Cameron took control for the follow-up, Aliens, and he transformed the genre from a terrifying horror film into an intense, action-oriented war flick.

The outcome surpassed expectations, with the sequel being just as strong, if not more so, than the original. This success established a model for introducing fresh minds with innovative concepts, ensuring the continuity and growth of the series.

Different movies, different directors

Initially, David Fincher’s Alien 3 was met with disappointment upon release, but over time, it has undergone a change in perception and is now often praised for its daring and intriguing narrative shift.

Jean-Pierre Jeunet’s Alien: Resurrection was generally met with a somewhat warmer reception, and it showcases some of the franchise’s most intriguing concepts and striking imagery.

As a devoted fan, I must say that Ridley Scott’s return to the Prometheus universe was captivating visually, but it felt like a fascinating AI storyline was grafted onto an Alien movie, creating a somewhat disjointed experience. However, his subsequent work with Alien: Covenant sadly marked the most forgettable film in the series for me.

Over the past 18 months, I’ve been thrilled to witness Alien breathing new life into the franchise that I love so much. First came Fede’s gripping Romulus, and more recently, Noah Hawley’s pulse-pounding Alien: Earth! It’s been an exhilarating ride, and I can’t wait to see what they have in store next!

In a new take, the latest Alien television series marks its debut as the first one set on Earth. Created by Hawley, it introduces fresh ideas and mythology, earning some of the most outstanding critiques in the 46-year-long history of the franchise.

It’s exciting news that a new director will bring their own distinctive vision to Romulus 2. Álvarez agrees, stating that “directors come and go, making one film before passing the torch to the next one… we’re fond of the story, and now we’re looking for someone who is eager to dive deep into it.”

We offer TopMob’s ranking for all the movies in the Alien series, along with an explanation of how Predator: Badlands fits into the Alien universe, and the most recent updates on Alien vs. Predator 3.

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2025-09-08 14:22