‘He Devoted So Much Time To Us’: James Cameron Went Above And Beyond To Help Alien: Romulus Be The Best Sequel It Could Be

‘He Devoted So Much Time To Us’: James Cameron Went Above And Beyond To Help Alien: Romulus Be The Best Sequel It Could Be

As a seasoned gamer and film enthusiast with over two decades of experience under my belt, I must admit that the impending release of “Alien: Romulus” has stirred a sense of anticipation within me that’s been dormant since the glory days of Fox-era Alien films. The trailers promise a return to the horrifying roots of Ridley Scott’s original masterpiece, and the involvement of Scott himself lends credence to this notion. However, it is the revelation of Fede Álvarez’s collaboration with James Cameron that truly piques my interest.


Upon the arrival of the “Alien: Romulus” release date, it marks the first instalment in the “Alien” series since Disney acquired Fox. There’s a great deal of anticipation, shared by both fans and the studio, that this film will serve as a comeback to the franchise’s roots. The trailers for “Alien: Romulus” certainly suggest that it is a worthy successor to Ridley Scott’s original “Alien,” with even Scott himself expressing praise for the movie. Interestingly, however, Scott isn’t the only director from the “Alien” franchise with whom Fede Álvarez has discussed his new project.

During San Diego Comic-Con, the director of “Alien: Romulus,” Fede Álvarez, dropped by TopMob’s suite for a chat. He shared that he received considerable backing from James Cameron, director of “Aliens.” It turns out, their friendship blossomed through letters, facilitated by actor Stephen Lang, who appeared in Álvarez’s “Don’t Breathe” and is also part of the “Avatar” cast. Álvarez revealed…

Previously, I had crossed paths with Cameron due to Stephen Lang, who played in the film ‘Don’t Breathe’, sharing that movie with Cameron. Enthralled by it, Cameron extended an invitation for me to visit the set of Avatar 2. Thus, we started exchanging letters. So when this opportunity arose, I wrote to him asking about Aliens, and he was more than happy to engage in a detailed discussion. We had a lengthy two-hour Zoom call discussing Aliens, his experience making Aliens, and how he improved it. He was incredibly generous with his time, offering valuable insights. Later, he even watched the finished cut and provided constructive feedback. Throughout this process, Cameron has been an incredible source of support for our project. I feel truly fortunate to have someone like Cameron sharing his knowledge and helping us make this film even better.

It’s unclear exactly what Fede Álvarez asked about the film “Aliens,” but it’s likely he received not only an answer to his question, but additional insights as well during their extended conversation focused on all aspects related to Xenomorphs. Given that both directors have created films that are direct sequels to the original “Alien,” they share a lot of common ground. As “Romulus” is set within the “Alien” timeline between the initial movie and Cameron’s sequel, it’s reasonable to assume that Cameron’s thoughts on his approach for that period would have been valuable insights for Álvarez.

Boosted by endorsements from James Cameron and Ridley Scott, the chances of Alien: Romulus delivering what fans eagerly anticipate have undoubtedly risen. Consequently, the expectation that the film will be a success has also grown, adding to the pressure on its production.

When James Cameron created “Aliens,” he shifted the series toward action-packed films, departing from its initial horror roots. On the other hand, Álvarez’s film maintains a horror aesthetic similar to the original. One can imagine that James Cameron might have had insightful suggestions upon viewing an early version of “Alien: Romulus,” which could only enhance its quality.

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2024-07-30 23:09