Fede Álvarez’s highly anticipated Alien: Romulus just had its world premiere in Los Angeles and its early reviews deem it as a film worthy of being in a franchise started by Ridley Scott’s Alien, followed by James Cameron’s widely-regarded sequel, Aliens. Set between the events of the first film released in 1979 and Cameron’s 1986 release sequel, Romulus is a nostalgic jog back to memory lane.
As we celebrate the movie’s early reactions and look forward to its worldwide release, here is an interesting tidbit about Cameron’s Oscar-nominated flick, and fans of former DC helmer Zack Snyder will surely laugh about it.
Zack Snyder Fans Will Roar After Learning Why James Cameron Cut a Pivotal Scene from Aliens
James Cameron is a visionary when it comes to filmmaking and his 1986 film, Aliens, is considered one of his finest and the franchise’s best films to date. Sequel to Ridley Scott‘s Alien, the film is widely considered by fans better than its predecessor thanks to Cameron’s ingenuity and ability to expand upon the original concept.
While the film was a massive success on its own, there was one particular scene that did not make it to the theatrical cut, the reason for which Zack Snyder fans will find highly amusing. Reprising her role as Ellen Ripley, Sigourney Weaver ended up acting as a surrogate mother to Rebecca Jorden’s Newt.
Their relationship played a significant part in the film, yet the backstory of why Ripley ended up being as attached to Newt was removed from the theatrical cut. Featured in Aliens: Special Collector’s Edition, there is a scene where Ripley asks Paul Reiser’s Carter Burke about her biological daughter, Amanda. With Ripley trapped in cryogenic sleep, Burke reveals that Amanda lived till the age of 66 and passed away.
A deeply emotional scene, Cameron had it removed from the theatrical cut due to the movie’s already long run-time, as revealed by producer Gale Anne Hurd in an interview with The Ringer in 2022.
Sadly, the scene that we had to trim because of the running length [is] when she promises her own daughter that she’ll be back for her birthday and she isn’t. That was really the moment and the scene that created the drive that Ripley’s character has toward not betraying another child, her essentially surrogate daughter, Newt.
Not only would have this scene provided an emotional element to Ripley and Newt’s relationship but it would have also added another layer of depth to Ripley’s character. While it is a shame it was cut, Snyder fans will have a laugh hearing the reason, for the former DC helmer is famous for his excruciatingly long movies, that fans not only love but enjoy!
Alien: Romulus Might Be a Worthy Addition to Ridley Scott and James Cameron’s Alien Franchise
Kickstarted by Ridley Scott in 1979, the Alien franchise has become one of the biggest science-fiction franchises of all time. With Fede Álvarez‘s Alien: Romulus being the seventh film in the franchise and said to be heavily inspired by both the work of Scott and James Cameron’s Oscar-nominated sequel, the expectations are sky high.
And seeing the initial reactions to the film, after its world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday night, the flick can be deemed as a worthy entry into a franchise previously helmed by the likes of Scott and Cameron (see THR). Set between the events of Alien and Aliens, the seventh installment of the franchise also serves as a standalone film.
Starring the likes of Cailee Spaney, David Jonsson, and more, Álvarez not only directed the flick but also co-wrote the film while Scott served as one of the producers. Breathing a new lease of life into the decades-old franchise, fans are waiting in anticipation to see what the cast and crew have cooked up and so are we.
Alien: Romulus will hit the theaters worldwide on August 16.
