Fans of the Alien franchise can finally mark their calendars for the highly anticipated eighth installment, directed by Fede Álvarez. Since its inception with Ridley Scott's iconic 1979 film Alien, the franchise has continued to captivate audiences with its terrifying xenomorphs and thrilling plot lines across various sequels, prequels, games, and web series. The franchise's most notable installments include the critically acclaimed Aliens (1986) and the popular crossover Alien vs. Predator, which pits the xenomorphs against another group of terrifying creatures. Considered the gold standard in extraterrestrial horror, the first two Alien films remain favorites among sci-fi and horror enthusiasts.
Disney has officially announced the release date of Álvarez's highly anticipated Alien film. Fans can expect to see the movie hit theaters on August 16th, 2024, which falls just after the end of the summer blockbuster season. It's an interesting move, as it gives the film a chance to shine before the influx of spooky season offerings in September. Starring a talented cast of actors including Cailee Spaeny, Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, Álvarez's Alien promises to be an original standalone feature that is separate from the storylines of the previous prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Álvarez, who co-wrote the film alongside Evil Dead's Rodo Sayagues, is well-versed in the horror genre with his successful 2013 Evil Dead remake and the upcoming Texas Chainsaw Massacre sequel set for release in 2022. Fans can expect an abundance of scares and gore from a franchise that has already established itself as a benchmark in the horror genre. While Sigourney Weaver, the original sci-fi final girl, has retired from fighting xenomorphs, the franchise is set to receive a new lease of life with fresh talent and storylines.
The Alien sequel's title has not yet been announced by 20th Century, but the release comes amidst renewed interest in the franchise, bolstered by the upcoming Alien TV series by Noah Hawley due for release on FX & Hulu. This renewed interest brings attention back to the classic film and is great news during a time where many films and series are experiencing significant delays due to the ongoing Writer’s Guild of America strike. As writers battle for compensation and rights, the announcement of the Alien sequel promises to provide a much-needed boost to the entertainment industry.
Alavarez's Alien film is due in theaters on August 16, 2024.
Source: Variety
