Summary

• After a long hiatus, Alien: Romulus is set to be released on August 16, 2024.
• The standalone premise of Alien: Romulus could mean a potential ending where none of the characters survive, providing a unique twist.
• Alien: Romulus offers a chance to redefine the Alien franchise by exploring isolated entries that focus on distinct experiences.

Early info for Alien: Romulus suggests that it could distinguish itself from the franchise with one significant narrative element. After years away from Alien movies, a new film is finally underway and set to release on August 16, 2024. There are very few Alien: Romulus story details so far, other than it takes some time between 1979's Alien and 1986's Aliens, and it will feature Priscilla and Civil War star Cailee Spaeny as the central protagonist. The most exciting distinction from recent Alien franchise installments is that the 2024 film will be a standalone movie.

Ridley Scott's ingenuity kicked off the Alien franchise with the original film, though his two recent contributions, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, received mixed reviews from critics and audiences. Ridley Scott is still involved with Alien: Romulus as a producer, but the director's seat has been passed to Fede Álvarez, a formula that was proven successful by Blade Runner 2049, which Scott also produced. Under new leadership from Álvarez, expanding the saga with standalone releases set at different points in the Alien timeline could be precisely what the franchise needs.

Alien: Romulus' "Standalone" Premise Could Mean No Survivors

No Escape? Alien: Romulus' Standalone Story Might Leave No One Alive

The most exciting part of a standalone Alien film is that Alien: Romulus could conclude with none of its cast left alive. In the original Alien, Ellen Ripley was the only character to escape the Nostromo, setting her up as the heroine of future films, and the obvious inclination would be to try to repeat that success with Cailee Spaeny. However, having a one-and-done entry with no direct sequels intended means having the freedom to end the film as Álvarez pleases.

The first Alien was lightning in a bottle, introducing audiences to an existential threat beyond the scope of planet Earth.

If the best film in the Alien franchise is still considered to be the first, then the best way to replicate its success would be to establish a similar premise and end it even more shockingly. The first Alien was lightning in a bottle, introducing audiences to an existential threat beyond the scope of planet Earth. Alien: Romulus could re-establish that same sense of horror by ending the film with the Xenomorph winning or with every human character giving their life to defeat it.

A True Standalone Movie Is Good For Alien's Future

Why Standalone Films Could Save the Franchise

Alien films have never been as profitable as other sci-fi hits despite being some of the best sci-fi movies of all time. Therefore, they shouldn't be treated the same as sci-fi franchises like Star Wars, which require universe-building and sequel set-up. Alien subverts much of the sci-fi norms, and in a sense, it belongs as a film series with isolated entries, finding ways to make each movie a distinctive experience rather than telling a grander story that doesn't suit its strengths. Alien: Romulus is a fantastic opportunity to correct the course.