Ridley Scott’s Alien prequels Prometheus and Alien: Covenant proved divisive for a number of reasons, but the first look at Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus suggests the new movie is fixing at least one major complaint. In many ways, Scott’s project was doomed from the start. By promising to explore the origins of one of cinema’s most enigmatic and powerful monsters, the veteran filmmaker was almost guaranteed to disappoint somebody. Yet while the stories created more problems than they solved, the two prequel films also fell short in other, less subjective ways.
Both Prometheus and Covenant take place before Alien in the overall franchise timeline. Whereas Alien is set canonically in the year 2122, the events of Prometheus happen in the previous century – with most of the action occurring in 2093 after a brief prologue. Covenant, by contrast, is set 11 years after Prometheus and 18 years before Alien, establishing that the 1979 original is, on paper at least, the most “advanced” of the three movies. This chronology, however, created major problems for the Alien universe, thanks to the approach of Prometheus and Covenant.
Alien: Romulus Is Fixing The Prequels’ Design Problems
Even though Prometheus and Covenant made controversial changes to the xenomorph’s origins, turning it from a “perfect organism” created by evolution to an artificial bioweapon, the most glaring mistake for many viewers was in the movies’ design. Despite being supposedly set before Alien, the two films’ technology seemed way more advanced, utilizing slick holograms, displays, and support systems that simply weren’t available to the crew of Nostromo. The result was that the prequels made it seem like humanity had regressed by the time of Alien.
Although the first Alien: Romulus trailer contains barely a minute of footage, it’s already clear that Álvarez’s movie is fixing this problem. The ship is much closer to the industrial, dirty design of the Nostromo than the polished vessels seen in the prequel films, while small details like flickering display screens suggest that characters will not be able to rely on CGI-enhanced gadgets to fight the xenomorph menace. In revisiting Alien’s retro-futuristic aesthetic, Romulus is not only reestablishing the franchise’s flimsy continuity, but is explicitly establishing itself as Alien’s spiritual successor.
Returning To Alien’s Original Design Is A Good Move For Romulus
Even before Scott’s prequels, the Alien franchise has struggled with consistency. After Prometheus, Covenant, and the Alien vs Predator spin-off series, the saga has multiple origin points for its main antagonist – with one branch suggesting it was created by a psychotic android, and another suggesting its history extends beyond human civilization. While both approaches could be potentially compelling, the existence of multiple inconsistent timelines makes the entire Alien series narratively messy – exacerbated further by Prometheus and Covenant’s frustratingly incongruous design choices.
By maintaining a narrative consistency with the original 1979 movie, Alien: Romulus can take some small steps towards sorting the mess out. While matching the aesthetic won’t help with story problems, it will help reestablish the notion that the films are taking place within the same universe. Despite featuring the same iconic monster, Scott’s movies feel completely separate from the established Alien series – in large part because of how they look. Thanks to the movie’s design, Alien: Romulus looks set to move away from this approach.
FAQ
What is Alien: Romulus about?
Alien: Romulus is a new movie directed by Fede Álvarez set in the Alien universe. It aims to address some of the design problems seen in previous Alien prequels and reconnect with the aesthetic and atmosphere of the original 1979 film.
How does Alien: Romulus fit into the Alien franchise timeline?
While the exact placement within the timeline is not specified, Alien: Romulus is set in the same universe as the other films in the franchise. It aims to maintain consistency with the retro-futuristic design elements of the original Alien movie.
Will Alien: Romulus feature the iconic xenomorphs?
While specific details about the plot and creatures featured in Alien: Romulus have not been revealed, it is expected to include elements familiar to fans of the Alien franchise, including the iconic xenomorphs.
Who is directing Alien: Romulus?
Alien: Romulus is directed by Fede Álvarez, known for his work on horror films such as “Evil Dead” and “Don’t Breathe.” Álvarez aims to bring a fresh perspective to the Alien universe while honoring the legacy of the original film.