Alien: Romulus Director Reveals Shocking Original Release Plan

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Speaking about contemporary horror sequels, “Alien: Romulus” has proven itself as one of the top-tier productions. Directed by the talented Fede Álvarez, who was behind 2013’s “Evil Dead” and “Don’t Breathe”, “Romulus” brought a fresh perspective to the Alien universe. Interestingly, Álvarez initially planned an intriguing twist that would have left audiences spellbound: In his original concept, the audience wouldn’t discover until about a third of the way through that it was actually an Alien movie.

After a private IMAX screening of the movie, the director conversed with Collider. In the subsequent question-and-answer session, Álvarez disclosed some surprising facts, such as details about the upcoming sequel and his preferred timeline for filming, as well as confirming that Ellen Ripley is indeed present in Romulus. Furthermore, he hinted at the possibility of producing an Alien vs. Predator film, and it was during this discussion that he shared his initial concept for Alien: Romulus. Originally, he presented the project as a film unrelated to the Alien universe until viewers witnessed the miners discovering an egg, similar to the 1979’s Alien.

We initiated discussions on this movie during the time Ridley was working on Covenant. It was then that conversations began with Michael Schaefer, who served as his right-hand man at the moment.

In my initial presentation of this story idea, when asked about the type of film I envisioned, I proposed a spin-off concept. I suggested we avoid using the term “Alien” and instead come up with any other science fiction title. The plot would center around some children on various planets, leading to a surprise reveal that it was an Alien movie all along. This twist was intended for the audience at SXSW, who wouldn’t find out they were watching an Alien film until 30 minutes into the movie during the initial screening.

As a movie enthusiast, I can certainly envision the thrill such a film might provide. However, Álvarez’s initial approach appears to be impractical in today’s digital age. The secret would have been leaked almost immediately through social media, spoiling the suspense for everyone. While it could have captivated the audience at SXSW, as the director suggests, one must consider the impact on the global audience.

There’s a Reason Why ‘Alien: Romulus’ Was 2024’s Highest-Grossing Horror Film

It’s also true that a sequel from a franchise tends to be more popular than an independent horror movie. For instance, “Alien: Romulus” grossed over $350 million at the box office and was 2024’s top-grossing horror film. If Álvarez had carried out his original plan, promoting the film would have been a challenge, possibly resulting in less impact. People went to see it primarily because it was an “Alien” movie, rather than its standalone merit as a sci-fi horror film.

Despite some details being kept confidential, such as the return of Ian Holm’s character, it was managed to stay hidden. Holm, an actor from the 1979 original film “Alien,” was revived using a blend of visual effects and artificial intelligence technology. In the original “Alien,” Holm portrayed Ash, an android who turned antagonist halfway through and was eliminated by the survivors on the Nostromo. In “Alien: Romulus,” Rook appears to be identical to Ash, as they are both part of the same series and seem to share a common goal of endangering humans. This is what Álvarez stated about keeping Rook a mystery:

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Despite some aspects being kept hidden, like Ian Holm’s reappearance, these were successfully concealed. Holm, an actor from the 1979 film “Alien,” was resurrected using a combination of visual effects and artificial intelligence. In “Alien,” Holm played Ash, an android who turned into an adversary halfway through and was killed by the survivors on the Nostromo. In “Alien: Romulus,” Rook resembles Ash, as they are from the same series and seem to have a shared objective of endangering humans. This is what Álvarez mentioned about keeping Rook secret:

In a different wording: “My sole disagreement is that the character Rook in this film was kept as a surprise until the very last moment. I hope most of you didn’t find out until you attended the premiere. Initially, someone had suggested it wouldn’t work because word would get out, but there would be screenings.

As a movie enthusiast, I always make an earnest plea before screenings: “I implore everyone, ‘For the sake of all others who will watch this movie, don’t spoil it. Keep quiet about Ian Holm being part of the cast.’ This is to ensure that when they find out he’s in the film, their reaction mirrors mine – ‘Oh my goodness, it’s Ian Holm!’ If they already know, I fear they’ll miss out on experiencing that magical moment in the theater.

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2025-02-18 00:33