In 1979, Ridley Scott kickstarted one of Hollywood’s biggest franchises with Alien. Following the sequel which was directed by James Cameron in 1986, the franchise went on to create 6 more films. The 7th installment titled Alien: Romulus directed by Fede Alvarez is set to release on the 16th of August, 2024 in theaters worldwide.
But judging by the initial reviews ahead of its global release, it looks like the movie may not reach the heights of some of its predecessors. Meanwhile, Cameron in an interview, addressed his reported involvement in the project and cleared the air regarding certain speculations floating around.
Is Alien: Romulus Already Doomed Before Its Release?
As far as successful franchises go, the Alien film series pioneered by Ridley Scott has had a great run in Hollywood. Apart from the prolific filmmaker, other big names in the business including James Cameron and David Fincher have helmed sequels. Now, Alien: Romulus directed by Fede Alvarez is the latest installment to hit the screen this coming weekend.
Set between the events of that occur in 1st and 2nd films, the story follows a team of space colonists who encounter a terrifying life form during their expedition. While the sci-fi horror drama is set to release worldwide on the 16th of August, a few initial reviews that are out, are not too favorable.
Hollywood insider Jeff Schneider did not seem too impressed with many aspects of the film. Many other fan opinions on X also pointed to the fact that the movie had its significant moments, but could not elevate itself to become an unforgettable installment in the franchise.
ALIEN: ROMULUS is a great ALIEN movie in the same sense that one might consider GHOSTBUSTERS: AFTERLIFE a great GHOSTBUSTERS movie.
— The Freewheelin' Silas Lesnick (@silaslesnick) August 13, 2024
ALIEN: ROMULUS is the fifth-best ALIEN movie. Takes too long to get going, overdoes fan service, and risky third act is divisive. D. Jonsson is good but rest of cast is forgettable. Liked it overall but adjust expectations. It’s an above-average Alien movie… and that’s about it.
— Jeff Sneider (@TheInSneider) August 13, 2024
ALIEN: ROMULUS is another successful franchise “takeover” for Fede Alvarez, although the story feels a bit rigid in its franchise tie-ins. Happy to see Fede go horror-forward, there are tense as heck Xeno/Facehugger scenes, but it’s never on the level of his EVIL DEAD. It’s fine? pic.twitter.com/z0w4Yb4ixU
— Matt Donato (@DoNatoBomb) August 13, 2024
#AlienRomulus is disgusting. It starts slow and rockets into confusing. I didn’t find the characters memorable, but it makes up for that with the most grotesque scenes and creature design. It ups the ante each act and, when you think it’s over, think again. I get why its rated R. pic.twitter.com/8lwLW2fpF3
— Kristen Maldonado (@kaymaldo) August 13, 2024
There’s a lot to love, with splendid horror elements, visceral imagery and incredible creature design! David Jonsson is a scene stealer. However, it rallies the best elements of the franchise together instead of standing on its own and characters are forgettable. pic.twitter.com/8NSlyW0PfY
— Leo Rydel (@GeeklyGoods) August 13, 2024
Alien: Romulus is a film that reveres the previous movies, but it reveres them too much, causing problems. Fede Alvarez is a talented director, and there are some scenes isolated and on their own that are incredibly well done. The script suffers from many issues. #AlienRomulus pic.twitter.com/I1BANKTJQd
— Jeffrey Harris (@Wheeljack83) August 13, 2024
Despite these opinions, the film can take heart from the fact that there have been a good share of positive reviews as well. The real test will begin on opening weekend at the box office which will determine if Alvarez’s efforts has paid dividends.
This Oscar-Winning Director Cleared The Air Regarding His Connection To Alien: Romulus
There’s a lot riding on Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus ahead of its release. With a few earlier reviews being lukewarm, the expectations to conquer the box office is now even more intense. In addition, Meanwhile, Oscar winner James Cameron commented on his association with the film and cleared a few speculations.
The director who helmed the 2nd film Aliens in 1986, was asked in a recent interview on what he thought of the film, and his level of involvement in the script. Alvarez had earlier revealed that the Terminator filmmaker had shared some of his inputs with him while also stating that he had seen the film and loved it (via Screen Rant).
But the Avatar filmmaker who confirmed that he did offer ideas, made it clear that it was only a small contribution that was not to be blown out of proportion (via The Hollywood Reporter). Further, his non-committal take on the film and his thoughts on his relationship with Alvarez could be analyzed by fans as a very different take than what the latter had expressed.
I saw a rough cut six months ago, so I’m sure it’s changed a lot. And I viewed it once. I gave some notes to [director Fede Álvarez]. He and I aren’t close pals. I mean, I wish him the best with it, but I think it’s been overstated that I had some big creative input to that film. I think Ridley [Scott] did because Ridley was an actual producer on the film. So I’m just putting it in perspective.
But Cameron’s thoughts would be sidelined for the time being as audiences will decide if the 7th film in the horror franchise deserves a thumbs up or not.
