In the 1990s, the Alien franchise struggled with the problem of holding onto its iconic characters for too long, even when their stories had run their course. Ellen Ripley’s return as a hybrid clone in Alien: Resurrection was a prime example of this, happening long after her character should have been retired. It would have been more interesting to see her return as a holographic life coach rather than a superhuman space gymnast dripping acid blood.
Fast forward to the present day, and we see a similar issue with the disposal of characters like Elisabeth Shaw in Prometheus, leaving fans with a sense of disconnect and confusion. The series has a tendency to reset with each new installment, which can be frustrating for viewers looking for continuity.
The news of Cailee Spaeny’s Rain and David Jonsson’s Andy returning for a sequel to Alien: Romulus is a welcomed development. The characters were last seen heading towards the planet of Yvaga III, setting the stage for potential conflicts given the society’s aversion to androids. The sequel promises to explore the aftermath of their actions at the Weyland-Yutani research station Renaissance.
Fans hope that the sequel will not deviate too far from the events of the first film and will delve deeper into the Weyland-Yutani storyline and the xenomorph-derived fluid, Z-01. There are even hopes of a connection to Blade Runner, bringing back Rutger Hauer’s character as a replicant. The focus should remain on the horror elements of the franchise, avoiding tangents to unrelated storylines.
The key to the success of Alien: Romulus was its simplicity and focus on horror in space. The sequel should aim to maintain this essence while expanding on the existing storyline. A hyper-focused horror narrative with a hint of corporate intrigue is what fans are looking for, rather than a convoluted narrative that strays too far from the core of the Alien universe.