Disappointment and the Xenomorph Dream: Why the Alien: Romulus Sequel is Moving at a Snail’s Pace
The Alien series was finally back on top. Years of sequels that either divided fans or missed the mark completely, Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus didn’t just slither out of the chest, it slammed onto the scene with authentic, horrifying energy. It was claustrophobic, violent, and a critical and box office darling. Of course a sequel was promptly greenlighted.
But if you’ve been anxiously following news on the sequel, you might feel as though you’ve been locked in a space capsule with nothing but bad news. The early excitement has been quelled by two big news burp-outs that make going back to the stars feel a lot further off than anyone had really thought.
The latest and possibly most indicative of a slow down was announced by a true legend in the field: SFX designer Alec Gillis.
Where Are the Xenomorphs?
To the fans, the Xenomorph isn’t simply a monster, it’s a living work of horror art, and a lot of that art comes from the practical effects work of designers like Alec Gillis. Having worked on some of the creature features that have defined the genre, if there is one person you would expect to be elbow deep in latex and wires, making the next generation of facehuggers and chestbursters, it’s Gillis.
So when Gillis was asked about his participation in the Romulus follow up, his answer was like a sudden drop in cabin pressure. He conceded that he hasn’t, personally, begun work on the creatures, and that if
any one else had, they’re not talking to me.
In the realm of the blockbuster, the creature shop is normally one of the first areas to go into overdrive. Creature design is nerve-wracking, meticulous and takes a lot of time. Gillis’s comments suggest that the sequel is still a long way from active pre-production. That’s a clear sign that the film’s October start date, which was being rumored at one point, is pretty much dead.
Passing the Torch—Or Dropping the Baton?
This most recent development, however, stems from an earlier and broader piece of disheartening news– director Fede Álvarez is vacating the director’s seat.
It shatters you because Álvarez brilliantly recaptured the raw, skin-crawling terror of the original Alien, and fans were salivating at the prospect of him bringing his distinct vision to the next chapter. He said he’s handing over the mantle to work on a personal project that is calling him away. While a sensible choice from the perspective of the artist, for the fanbase it is a bitter pill to swallow. The vision that made Romulus a success is leaving the helms.
It’s not all bad news, however. Álvarez is not walking away from the project. Most importantly, he has confirmed that he has completed the script for the sequel and that he will still be a producer on the project alongside franchise creator Ridley Scott. The story is ready. The world is built. Now the hunt is on for a new filmmaker to bring their own go for the jugular intensity.
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The Hope in the Horror
The Alien: Romulus sequel is now in status quo: a completed script, two legendary producers (Scott and Álvarez), and no director. The sad reality is the production is stalled, and the absence of Alec Gillis confirms that this delay is affecting the whole creative process.
But this franchise has always thrived on new blood. From Ridley Scott to James Cameron to David Fincher, Alien has, by necessity, been passed from one distinctive voice to the next. The unfortunate patchwork is just the beginning. The groundwork is there, and the Xenomorph is poised. We just have to wait and trust that Scott and Álvarez will discover a director worthy of bringing the iconic terror to new, terrifying heights. Until then we’ll just have to wait for candlesticks in the creature shop.
Conclusion
The Alien: Romulus sequel may be moving at a pace that makes a facehugger in cryosleep seem like it’s leaping through space, but that doesn’t mean it’s doomed. The fact that Fede Álvarez has dropped out and that fans will probably be seeing the absence of creature designer Alec Gillis is definitely a blow, but the project isn’t dead on arrival, not at all. With a finished script, Ridley Scott still on board, and producer Álvarez guiding, the potential for greatness is still there. The Alien franchise has always re-invented itself through change, and this break may just be the calm before the storm of another cinematic monster is unleashed. For now, fans will just have to wait the darkness of space is poised to dole out plenty more screams.
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Welcome to FunsterWorld — your source for the latest buzz from Hollywood’s creative underworld. Here, we explore the art of filmmaking, knowing about how visionary directors, designers, and actors shape the worlds we escape into. Today we will know about the big change in the Alien franchise as its legendary SFX designer Alec Gillis is left but not entirely.
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