New ‘Alien: Romulus’ trailer bursts with back-to-basics horror [Watch]

The “Alien” franchise is going back to basics with “Alien: Romulus.” A new trailer makes it clear that writer-director Fede Álvarez (“Evil Dead” 2013, “Don’t Breathe”) is emphasizing the claustrophobic sci-fi horror of a spaceship overrun by vicious aliens, like Ridley Scott’s 1979 film that started it all.

“Alien: Romulus” is set between the events of “Alien” and “Aliens,” and follows a group of young space colonizers who, while on a scavenging run on a seemingly abandoned space station, encounter a terrifying alien presence. The intense trailer shows off facehuggers, chestbursters, and references to earlier “Alien” films. 

The film is led by Cailee Spaeny (“Civil War”), who is taking the Sigourney Weaver-type role, as seen by her recreation of the iconic image of the xenomorph in Weaver’s face. The cast also includes David Jonsson (“Industry”), Archie Renaux (“Shadow and Bone”), Isabela Merced (“Madame Web”), Spike Fearn (“Back to Black”), and newcomer Aileen Wu. Álvarez wrote the script with frequent collaborator Rodo Sayagues. It’s produced by Scott, Michael Pruss, and Walter Hill. 

It’s the first “Alien” film since 2017’s “Alien: Covenant,” a prequel directed by Scott that also served as a sequel to 2012’s “Prometheus.” It’s the ninth “Alien” film, including the “Alien vs. Predator” movies, and the first produced since Disney took ownership of 20th Century Studios.

The “Alien” franchise is currently experiencing a resurgence, with a television series in the works at FX from “Fargo” creator Noah Hawley. “Alien: Covenant” underperformed at the box office, so the filmmakers seem to be taking a straightforward, lower-budget approach for the semi-reboot.  

“Alien: Romulus” hits theaters on August 16.

PREDICT the 2024 Emmy nominees through July 17

Make your predictions at Gold Derby now. Download our free and easy app for Apple/iPhone devices or Android (Google Play) to compete against legions of other fans plus our experts and editors for best prediction accuracy scores. See our latest prediction champs. Can you top our esteemed leaderboards next? Always remember to keep your predictions updated because they impact our latest racetrack odds, which terrify Hollywood chiefs and stars. Don’t miss the fun. Speak up and share your huffy opinions in our famous forums where 5,000 showbiz leaders lurk every day to track latest awards buzz. Everybody wants to know: What do you think? Who do you predict and why?

SIGN UP for Gold Derby’s free newsletter with latest predictions