Alien: Romulusdirector Fede Alvarez is being cautious when it comes to talk of a sequel.Romuluswas released in theaters on August 15, 2025, going on to gross $350 million worldwide, including $40 million on IMAX screens. Critics were largely positive in their reviews of Alvarez’sAliensequel, as reflected in the movie’s 80% fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes.
WhetherAlien: Romulusgets a sequel itself is yet to be determined, but Alvarez thinks it will happen, though he is being cautious when it comes to speculation about making another film in theAlienuniverse (viaGizmodo):
Well, I mean, we definitely want to do it. The studio wants to do it. I want to do it. I think with sequels, it’s always about finding the right story. Me and Rodo [Sayagues], my co-writer, we have some ideas, but it’s not until we find something that we go “Ok, that is a movie worth making” that we really embark on it. So that’s the process we are in right now, trying to find a story that is worthy of everyone’s time and is worthy of the title. Otherwise, you never want to fall into the mistake of making [a sequel] just because the first one is a big hit … [making a sequel] just because you’re able to make it, that’s always a recipe for disaster.
What This Means For The Alien Franchise
Another Alien Movie Is In The Works At 20th Century Studios
AnAlien: Romulussequel does indeed appear to be in the works. Last month, 20th Century Studios boss Steve Asbell toldTHRwith confidence that Romulus’ surviving characters, Rain and Andy, will be back for another movie. He mentioned that the studio has yet to strike a deal with Alvarez, but said that the director has an idea for how to continue the story.
The two survivors, Rain and Andy, played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, were real highlights of the film. And so I always think of it like, “Wow, where do people want to see them go next?” We know there’s going to be aliens. We know there’s going to be great horror set pieces. But I fell in love with both of them and I want to see what their story is.
From Alvarez’s latest remarks, it sounds as though he and writing partner Rodo Sayagues are hard at work considering multiple ideas for yet anotherAlienmovie. It also seems that 20th Century Studios' owners at Disney are interested in continuing the franchise on the big-screen, even as they prepare to unveil the TV seriesAlien: Earth. But Alvarez says he doesn’t want to make aRomulussequel just because the first movie did well at the box office. If Alvarez can’t come up with a worthy story,Alienduties could pass to a different director (perhaps even Ridley Scott).
Our Take On Alvarez Making Another Alien Movie
Alien: Romulus Left Things Open For A Sequel
Alien: Romuluschecked all the boxes that legacy sequels are supposed to check, providing a throwback experience for long-time fans while introducing new characters who might be more relatable to youthful audiences. Those new characters were almost all killed off – this being anAlienmovieafter all – but two of them did survive, and presumably could return for the sequel.
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It’s yet to be seen whether Alvarez will be brought back to helm that possible sequel, but after the job he did onAlien: Romulus, his return would be welcome. Alvarez and Sayagues’ script established a strong Ripley successor in Cailee Spaeny’sRain Carradine, while also introducing an intriguing new android character in David Jonsson’s Andy. The movie left the two of them on a spaceship headed to the presumed safe haven of Yvaga III, but Alvarez and Sayagues could easily write a sequel story that sees them not making it to their destination.
Alvarez has indeed become known for making solid franchise-extending movies, after hisEvil Deadreboot andAlien: Romulus(hisThe Girl In The Spider’s Webwas a notable misfire). He understands how to evoke the spirit of the older series films, while modernizing the action in a way that goes over with today’s movie fans. HisAlieneffort breathed new life into the franchise, delivering visually stunning sci-fi along with old-school horror movie thrills, while introducing some interesting new elements toAlienlore.
Alien: Romulus
Cast
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
