Romulus Director Reveals Ridley Scott and James Cameron’s Reactions to the Movie

Alien: Romulus has already passed its most intimidating test; pleasing franchise creator Ridley Scott and Aliens director James Cameron. The latest sequel in the sci-fi horror franchise unleashed a blistering trailer on Wednesday, which showcased a movie that seems to combine the claustrophobic setting of Scott’s original 1979 trailblazer with Cameron’s 1986 action blockbuster.

While fans still have several months to wait before they get to see Fede Alvarez’s highly anticipated Alien sequel, the writer/director revealed that both of his predecessors loved the movie, but had very different views to offer during the production. Addressing the news that Scott was very happy with the film, Alvarez told The Hollywood Reporter:

“He did! As intimidating as it is, that’s the best part of being able to work on something like this. For all of us and whatever it is that we do, the dream is to sit down with the masters of our craft and have a conversation about what we do and learn how to do it better. And the process of making this film definitely gave me that experience with Ridley. At the story level, we first told him what I was planning to do, and then when he read it, I discussed the script with him. And later, when he watched the movie, I discussed my cut with him. So, I consider each one of those moments and creative conversations with Ridley to be a highlight of my career and my life.”

James Cameron and Ridley Scott Shared Very Different Perspectives on Alien: Romulus

One thing that has always been abundantly clear is that Ridley Scott and James Cameron created two very different movies for the Alien franchise. While Scott’s tense, understated masterpiece of suspense gave way to Cameron’s gung-ho action movie, Alvarez was more than happy to have Scott on board Alien: Romulus as producer, while getting advice from Cameron during the scripting process. He continued:

“James Cameron is also someone I’ve met through the years, and when he learned that I was doing it, we started chatting about it. So I also had that conversation with him at the script level. He’s now seen the movie and loved it. It’s also fascinating because [Cameron and Scott’s] notes and comments are completely different. (Laughs.) They wouldn’t repeat a note. Whatever Ridley said, Cameron said something different. They were all super smart comments, notes and thoughts on the film and the filmmaking, et cetera, but both of them have completely different approaches. So the fantastic part of being able to make this film is to have the chance to work with them.”

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Alien: Romulus Star Says It’s a ‘Very, Very, Very Different’ Film for the Franchise

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Initial reactions to the first trailer have been very positive from many fans, with the opening moments trawling through the tight, contained corridors of a spaceship giving way to an onslaught of leaping facehuggers and a final shot of the xenomorph on the attack. The teaser has been enough to suggest that Alien: Romulus could well be the best movie in the 45-year-old franchise since Cameron’s original sequel.