Ridley Scott's upcoming film, Alien: Romulus, is set to be released on August 16th, 2024. This next installment in the sci-fi/horror-thriller franchise takes the story back to its roots, following a group of young space colonizers who encounter a terrifying life form while scavenging a derelict space station. The movie stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu, and is directed by Fede Alvarez. It aims to attract both die-hard fans and newcomers to the franchise with a stand-alone story that does not tie in with previous movies. The plot revolves around young men and women on a remote space outpost who encounter Facehuggers and Xenomorphs. Details about the location and potential sequels remain unknown. [e6fe0089]
The Alien franchise has captivated audiences for decades, with the original film establishing the path for numerous sequels. The lore took a turn with the release of Prometheus, the first prequel that delves into events preceding Alien. In Prometheus, it is revealed that the Xenomorphs were created by the Engineers, an extraterrestrial species, as a biological weapon. The black liquid discovered in the ring-like ships on planet LV-223 possesses the ability to alter any organism it contacts, leading to monstrous creatures. In Alien: Covenant, the android David continues the Engineers' experiments, resulting in the emergence of the Xenomorphs. [3638a256]
Ridley Scott's Alien is his only entry into the horror genre, which is considered a missed opportunity. Despite the success of Alien and its sequels, Scott has focused primarily on sci-fi and historical epics. His lack of horror films is seen as a major missed opportunity, given his talent for creating immersive atmospheres and building narrative tension. While Scott hasn't directed horror since Alien, he has produced horror projects and may eventually return to the genre. The Alien franchise helped launch the careers of David Fincher and Joss Whedon, and it would be intriguing to see what Scott could bring to horror today, 45 years after he first redefined it. [e6e62077]
In a recent interview with Graham Norton, Sigourney Weaver, known for her iconic role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise, expressed her dislike for watching scary films, stating, "I hate watching scary films. I don’t mind acting in them, but I don’t want to see them." Weaver is making her West End theatre debut on December 7, 2024, playing Prospero in Shakespeare’s The Tempest, directed by Jamie Lloyd. The Venice Film Festival recently honored her with the Golden Lion award for her significant contributions to cinema. Weaver's upcoming projects include 'Dust Bunny' with Mads Mikkelsen and 'The Gorge' with Miles Teller and Anya Taylor-Joy. [68d5e262]
Kate Winslet, star of 'Titanic', also received a Lifetime Achievement Award at the Munich International Film Festival. The award was presented to her by David Kross, her co-star from 'The Reader'. Winslet discussed her latest film, 'Lee', in which she plays war photographer Lee Miller. 'Lee' is a British biographical drama directed by Ellen Kuras and made its world premiere at the 2023 Toronto International Film Festival. Winslet expressed her excitement about the film and her role as a fully-credited producer. The Munich CineMerit Prize was awarded to Winslet for her life's work, and she thanked Kross for the opportunity to work on the film. [aba799a3]