Alien: Romulus Sequel Won’t Repeat This Controversial Franchise Mistake

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The film *Aliens* ends with Ellen Ripley, Newt, and Hicks entering cryosleep on the ship *Sulaco*, finally escaping the danger of LV-426. However, that relief was short-lived. A controversial decision in *Alien 3* killed off Newt and Hicks early in the film, effectively making Ripley’s heroic efforts in *Aliens* feel meaningless. This upset many fans who loved the relationship between Ripley, Newt, and Hicks – a key element of what made James Cameron’s film so strong. The *Alien* series is currently enjoying renewed popularity, thanks in part to the success of *Alien: Romulus*, and the filmmakers are determined not to repeat past mistakes with the sequel.

During an appearance at HorrorHound Weekend in Cincinnati (as reported by Screen Rant), director Fede Álvarez, who created the story for the new *Alien: Romulus* film, explained his reason for writing the sequel despite not directing it. He said he and his team wanted to protect the characters they’d developed, referencing the deaths of Hicks and Newt in a previous *Alien* film. Álvarez stated they wrote the story to ensure those characters survived, allowing the next director to continue their storylines.

What Fede Álvarez’s Comments Mean for the Alien: Romulus Sequel

Although a sequel to *Alien: Romulus* is only in the beginning stages of development – with no director or release date yet – director Fede Álvarez has strongly hinted that Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson will reprise their roles as Rain Carradine and the android Andy. This is great news! While some fans had issues with certain nostalgic references and the digital recreation of Ian Holm in *Alien: Romulus*, Spaeny and Jonsson’s performances were widely praised. Their chemistry brought a new energy to the *Alien* series, and audiences will likely enjoy seeing their characters develop further.

It’s no surprise Álvarez wants to work with Spaeny and Jonsson again. Both actors are quickly becoming major stars, and their careers have grown since the first *Romulus* film. Jonsson especially impressed audiences in the recent Stephen King adaptation, *The Long Walk*, and it would be a real loss if he wasn’t prominently featured in the *Romulus* sequel – he’s proven he can deliver powerful performances even in genre films. Spaeny’s career is also set to get a boost with the upcoming release of Rian Johnson’s *Wake Up Dead Man*, which received excellent reviews at the Toronto International Film Festival.

Details about the new movie’s story are still secret, but it seems the director is taking inspiration from the movie *Aliens*. Like Ripley in *Aliens* who faced a new challenge after being the only survivor in *Alien*, Rain and Andy are now the last ones left. The sequel will likely focus on their experiences as they navigate a dangerous new situation. The previous movie, *Romulus*, ended with them traveling to the planet Yvaga III, and the sequel will probably begin shortly after their arrival. While their friends thought Yvaga III was safe, they may find unexpected threats waiting for them there.

Don’t read too much into Álvarez’s comments about Rain and Andy’s fate in the *Romulus* sequel. He simply didn’t want another director to abruptly kill them off at the beginning. Remember, this is still an *Alien* movie, and after two films, audiences are invested in these characters. While the *Alien* franchise is known for its action, the strongest movies also feature characters we care about, and the *Romulus* sequel aims to deliver that emotional connection.

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2025-09-19 00:10