Fede Alvarez, the director behind Alien: Romulus, recently shared that Disney initially rejected his idea for the film’s ending—a rejection that only fueled his determination to see it through. (Spoilers ahead!)
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the iconic Xenomorph saga, fitting chronologically between Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens. Alvarez’s take on the franchise has already stirred up mixed reactions, which is always a sign of something interesting. His film pays homage to the franchise’s greatest moments, blending nostalgia with fresh, brutal intensity.
A Bold, Risky Move
Throughout the film, Alien: Romulus walks a fine line between fan service and innovation. Some references are as subtle as a sledgehammer, while others are crafted with a more delicate touch—like the nod to Alien: Isolation. But it’s the final act of the film that really left fans and critics alike reeling, thanks to a shocking twist that nearly didn’t make it past the cutting room floor.
One of the film’s biggest surprises is the introduction of “The Offspring” in the climax—a human/Xenomorph hybrid with a more humanoid appearance than any of its predecessors. When Alvarez pitched this idea to Disney, the studio was initially hesitant, feeling the concept was perhaps too extreme for the franchise. But Alvarez’s response was clear: if Disney wasn’t fully comfortable with the idea, that was all the more reason to pursue it.
“They [Disney] pushed back at first [regarding the human/alien hybrids], not because they didn’t like it, but because they wondered if it was too much. Do we really need to go there? And I thought, ‘Yes, now that you’ve said we shouldn’t, I know I have to.’ If a Disney-owned company hands you an Alien movie and immediately says, ‘Yeah, let’s do it,’ you’re failing in some way. So we pushed the boundaries, and I’m glad we did,” Alvarez told The Hollywood Reporter.
A New Chapter in the Alien Mythology
The design of The Offspring might remind fans of the Engineers from Prometheus or even the “Newborn” from Alien Resurrection. Its presence also ties directly into Ridley Scott’s Prometheus and Covenant, with the black goo from Prometheus playing a crucial role in the creation of this new creature in Romulus.
Though The Offspring meets its end by the film’s conclusion, the Prometheus 5 substance that created it still exists, potentially setting the stage for future installments. While there hasn’t been an official confirmation of a sequel to Alien: Romulus, the door certainly seems open.
In the meantime, fans can look forward to more Xenomorph action with the upcoming series Alien: Earth. Set on Earth, as the title suggests, this series will take place long before Scott’s original Alien and is expected to debut in 2025 under the direction of Noah Hawley (Legion, Fargo).
For now, Alien: Romulus stands as a testament to Alvarez’s bold vision and Disney’s eventual willingness to embrace a little madness—something that’s been key to the Alien franchise’s enduring success.
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