Seven years after the release of Alien: Covenant, Xenomorphs are making their return to the big screen. Disney’s 20th Century Studios is unleashing Alien: Romulus later this summer, with the film taking place between the events of the first two entries in the franchise. It’s a new terrifying adventure with a new cast. Based on the latest trailer, it looks like it’s going to be worth the wait. In more good news, we now have word that the film will, indeed, be R rated. So bring on the bloody goodness.
The MPAA has given Romulus an R rating “for bloody violent content and language.” That sure as heck sounds like a few of the essential ingredients for an Alien movie. It shouldn’t really come as a surprise that an entry in this franchise is R rated. That having been said, there was serious concern when Disney purchased Fox in 2019 that they would try and make some of these franchises PG-13 to fit the family-friendly vibe. Fortunately, the powers that be seem to understand that some things simply need that R to make them work.
Similarly, 20th Century’s Prey, director Dan Trachtenberg’s acclaimed Predator prequel, was also allowed to go with an R rating. It feels safe to assume that Trachtenberg’s new Predator movie Badlands will also go the same route. That’s not to say that PG-13 horror can’t work, it’s just nice to know that it’s not being mandated by the brass at the Mouse House. All of this to say, the folks at Disney have their heads on straight in this regard. The brief synopsis for Alien: Romulus reads as follows:
“While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.”
The film stars Cailee Spaeny (Civil War), David Jonsson (Murder is Easy), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (Aftersun) and Aileen Wu, who makes her major feature debut in the film. Álvarez co-wrote the screenplay alongside his frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues (Don’t Breathe 2). Michael Pruss and Walter Hill serve as producers on the film alongside Ridley Scott, who directed the original Alien. Scott, for what it’s worth, has said the new film is fucking great.
Alien: Romulus is set to hit theaters on August 16. For more, be sure to check out our deep dive into the Fango vault for all sorts of behind the scenes Alien goodness.
