Disney's Alien: Romulus - A New Direction for the Franchise

Exploring a New Direction

Disney's Alien: Romulus, directed by Fede \u00c1lvarez, is the highly anticipated upcoming addition to the Alien franchise. The film has reportedly wrapped filming ahead of its 2024 premiere, generating excitement among fans and movie enthusiasts. However, the new direction that Disney is taking with the Xenomorphs is causing some concern among franchise fans. This departure from the original 1979 classic is evident in the plot and character focus of Alien: Romulus, marking a significant shift in the franchise's approach to storytelling and horror elements.

Alien: Romulus star Cailee Spaeny in Pacific Rim Uprising and a Xenomorph from Alien: Covenant

Aside from James Cameron's 1986 sequel, Aliens, the Alien franchise has seen its fair share of box office bombs and critical disappointments. The announcement of Alien: Romulus has reignited discussions about the future of the franchise, especially considering the challenges faced by previous installments. The shift in focus from the familiar to the unfamiliar raises questions about the potential success and impact of Disney's new take on the iconic Xenomorphs.

alien franchise Sigourney weaver Michael fassbender

The press release from Disney's 20th Century Studios sheds light on the plot of Alien: Romulus, revealing that the film will follow a group of young people on a distant world who find themselves in a confrontation with the most terrifying life form in the universe. This focus on young adult characters marks a departure from the original movie and presents a new perspective on the Xenomorph encounter. While this approach introduces an element of novelty, it also raises concerns about deviating from the core traits that defined the original film as an enduring classic.

Ripley attending a traumatized Newt in Aliens

The Shift in Character Focus

The decision to move away from the Ripley blueprint, as established by Ridley Scott's original 1979 film, is a significant departure from the traditional portrayal of characters in the Alien franchise. The iconic portrayal of Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver, as an ordinary working-class individual confronted with extreme circumstances is a defining feature of the franchise's early films. However, Alien: Romulus is set to introduce a new dynamic by centering the narrative around a group of young characters facing the Xenomorph threat.

Carrie Hen's Newt stands with Sigourney Weaver's Ripley in Aliens

This shift in character focus presents a stark departure from the original movie's approach, as it introduces a 'teens being stalked' premise in a space setting. While this premise has the potential to offer entertainment value, it also raises questions about the preservation of the core traits that contributed to the enduring legacy of the original 1979 film. Alien: Romulus appears to embrace the slasher-in-space trope, featuring a group of teens facing the peril of the Xenomorphs, diverging from the more nuanced and inventive approach of the original film.

Sigourney Weaver's Ripley wielding a big gun in Aliens

Despite the departure from the established character blueprint, some perspectives suggest that the inclusion of young characters in a confrontation with the Xenomorphs could inject new life into the franchise. By reinvigorating the narrative with a relatable young cast and combining the strengths of the action-forward slasher genre, Alien: Romulus has the potential to appeal to modern audiences while offering a fresh perspective on the franchise's storytelling.

Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in Aliens (1986)

Impact and Potential

The new direction taken by Disney's Alien: Romulus has sparked discussions about the impact and potential of the upcoming film. While the shift in character focus and narrative approach presents a departure from the familiar, it also opens up opportunities for the franchise to evolve and adapt to contemporary storytelling preferences. The decision to place young characters in a confrontation with the Xenomorphs introduces a new dynamic to the franchise, potentially appealing to a broader audience.

As the franchise has faced challenges with previous installments, including the philosophical prequels that diverged from the original film's horror elements, Alien: Romulus has the potential to break away from the existing patterns and offer a fresh perspective on the Xenomorph encounter. By leveraging the strengths of the action-forward slasher genre and incorporating relatable young characters, the film has the opportunity to resonate with modern viewers, akin to the impact of Ridley Scott's Alien on moviegoers in the late '70s.