‘Alien: Romulus’ Director Teases There’s a Chance for the Sequel

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As a passionate film enthusiast who grew up renting VHS tapes for Friday night viewing sessions, I can only express my admiration for director Fede Alvarez and his dedication to preserving the timeless essence of classic horror and sci-fi films. His work on “Evil Dead” and now “Alien: Resurrection” (let’s call it “Romulus”) is a testament to his deep respect for these cinematic gems, and I can’t wait to see how he tackles a potential sequel.

This summer, the sci-fi/horror film titled “Romulus” was a major success, earning $350.9 million globally. It brought in $105.3 million within the U.S. and Canada, while raking in an additional $245.5 million from other territories. The movie received favorable reviews, boasting a 7.2 IMDb rating and an impressive 80% approval rating from critics, as well as an 85% positive response from the audience on Rotten Tomatoes.

The sci-fi movie “Alien: Covenant”, titled “Romulus” in some regions, is currently streaming on Hulu and available digitally. A physical copy will be released soon. Meanwhile, director Fede Alvarez has shared insights about the upcoming physical release, future possibilities of a sequel, as well as other intriguing projects he plans to work on within this genre.

Cheryl Eddy: What are your thoughts on Alien: Romulus being the first VHS released by Disney in nearly 30 years?

Fede Alvarez: I came up with this concept, so I’m really thrilled about it. It began when we unveiled that scene and a trailer on VHS format. This decision was partly made to avoid revealing the movie’s key moments prematurely in the promotional phase.

In essence, our agreement with the studio was akin to saying, “Alright, I’ll put it out, but we’ll go with VHS as the medium.” I was aware that those who would be viewing the scene shared a deep emotional bond with the original film, having first encountered it on VHS, and possibly also watching the second one in theaters yet still revisiting it on VHS.

After conducting the promotion, we discovered that it’s indeed feasible – people can still mass-produce VHS tapes, something many believed was no longer possible. This revelation led us to consider distributing our film on VHS as well.

What I find truly unique about it is that it’s not merely a publicity stunt or a gimmick for me. Instead, I stumbled upon these films in their distinctive format, ambiance, and aesthetic – the particular color palette and sound spectrum they use – which instantly transports me to another place whenever I hear them play.

Because I, being born in ’78, experienced the surge of VHS during my film discovery phase, this project holds a unique charm for me. It’s remarkable that the studio was willing to work on it. If I find it captivating, there’s someone else out there who will too.

What are some of your early memories of going to the video store or watching horror movies on VHS?

Back then, as a gamer from Uruguay, I used to uncover hidden cinematic treasures by visiting our local video store. It wasn’t like Blockbuster yet; it was just a small shop, where someone had a license to rent VHS tapes. At first, the selection was limited, only a little shelf filled with movies. But as time passed and demand grew in the ’80s, that little shelf expanded and became an essential part of my weekend escapades.

It’s possible that there are numerous modern films I haven’t watched yet, but their covers and synopses on the back are etched in my memory. They were downright terrifying! This is especially true for horror movies; just passing by their box art was enough to make me shudder, let alone looking at it directly. However, this fearful avoidance led me to discover countless films that have ultimately shaped my life.

I vividly recall, having already watched numerous mainstream horror films like “Friday the 13th,” “A Nightmare on Elm Street,” and others, my hunger for something more intense led me to inquire at the counter. The clerk placed “Evil Dead” on the table, saying he hadn’t given it to me, but I could take it if I wanted. At that time, I was 13 and found “Evil Dead” particularly terrifying. So, that movie marked my initiation into horror films. Friday nights were special back then; I’d go rent a movie, return home, and enjoy the thrill of watching it. Those were the golden days.

As the director, what’s your take on people potentially watching Romulus on VHS for the first time?

1) I’m really fond of that! It’d be a top choice for me. If someone missed out on seeing it in cinemas, they might be hesitant about watching it on VHS, thinking “Why bother with VHS?” However, I believe that skeptic would change their mind if they watched it on VHS because the unique style we incorporated in the movie, collaborating with cinematographer Galo Oliveras and production designer Naaman Marshall, was nothing short of extreme.

In the process of choosing the appropriate hues for every minute light in the cockpit, each decision was meticulously chosen to create an ambiance reminiscent of the Alien franchise. A single incorrect color could break the illusion, making it seem less like Alien. Therefore, we went to great lengths to ensure it resembled a film fitting comfortably between Alien and Aliens.

If you incorporate the VHS aesthetic, it truly takes things to another level – it’s almost indistinguishable from the original VHS era. In fact, it’s so authentic that it feels like these scenes were filmed yesterday. To me, it embodies the essence of timeless classics – a quality I believe is crucial for films in this genre. Truly, they possess an ageless charm.

A sequel to Romulus has been rumored—can you give us any updates on that?

We’re certainly eager to proceed with this project. The studio shares our enthusiasm, and so do I. With sequels, it’s essential to discover the ideal narrative. My co-writer Rodo [Sayagues] and I have some concepts, but we only dive in when something captivates us enough to say, “This is a film worth creating.” At present, we are engaged in the search for a story that merits your investment of time and lives up to the title.

As a devoted fan, I’d hate to find myself in the position of creating a follow-up solely due to the success of the original. The mere fact that we have the ability to produce a sequel doesn’t necessarily mean it will be successful. This is often a path leading to calamity.

Have you worked on both the “Evil Dead” and “Alien” films. Are there any other science fiction or horror franchises where you’d be eager to lend your skills for a reimagining, remake, or contribution in some way?

In the realm of horror, I’d have to strongly disagree, given my perspective. If someone had asked me about the pinnacle of horror in 1992 or ’93, I would have confidently pointed to “Evil Dead” and “Alien,” without a moment’s hesitation. Personally, I consider “Alien” as the epitome of horror. It doesn’t get much better than that for me. This film excels in so many areas – science fiction, horror, suspense, and drama, making it unparalleled in my opinion. But I’m open to hearing your thoughts on the subject!

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2024-11-27 09:14