Alien: Romulus director Fede Alvarez to step down as the director for the sequel film

Uruguayan filmmaker Fede Álvarez won't return to direct the sequel for his 2024 sci-fi thriller, Alien: Romulus, which proved to be a lucrative deal for 20th Century Studios. The film earned over $350 million against its $80 million budget, paving the way for the franchise's rebirth. Shortly after, the studio revealed that a sequel is in the works.

Álvarez has co-written the script for this sequel with Rodo Sayagues, who worked on Romulus. However, he would step down from the directorial duties, according to his recent conversation with TooFab,

"We just finished the script, actually, for a sequel to Romulus, but I'm gonna pass the torch on this one as director. I'm going to produce it, with Ridley Scott, we're gonna produce it together, and we're right now trying to find a new filmmaker to come in."

In the same interview, he spoke about Ridley Scott, who directed the franchise's foundational film in 1979, and passed the torch to other directors.

"I think that's usually what has happened, except for Ridley, filmmakers come, you make one and you pass the baton to the next one," said Álvarez.

Alien: Romulus director hopes to continue the story he started with his first film

Los Angeles Premiere Of Paramount Pictures' "Gladiator II" - Source: Getty

Alien: Romulus, starring Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Isabela Merced, Archie Renaux, and more, was released in August 2024. Since then, Fede Álvarez has been brainstorming for an idea for a sequel to follow the events of Romulus with its new set of characters. Shortly after the premiere, he spoke about the ideas forethought for the sequel with The Hollywood Reporter.

"For me, it’s always been about story. So, once we finished, we started thinking, “What do you think happens when or if they get to Yvaga? Is it going to be great? Or is it a terrible place?” We tend to believe it’s probably a terrible place that they think is great and fantasize about, so we naturally started thinking about where it goes and what’s going to happen. And then, a few minutes in, we go, “Oh, that sounds like a sequel,” said the director.

Later, in October 2024, Steve Asbell from 20th Century Studios told the publication that they were working on a sequel idea for Alien: Romulus, but hadn't closed a deal by then. While speaking about what the sequel could be about, the studio exec hinted that it could follow the characters, played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson. He told THR,

"The two survivors, Rain and Andy, played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, were real highlights of the film. And so I always think of it like, “Wow, where do people want to see them go next?” We know there’s going to be aliens. We know there’s going to be great horror set pieces. But I fell in love with both of them, and I want to see what their story is."

Fede Alvarez won’t return the follow-up to his 2024 film (Image via YouTube/20th Century Studios)

Over a year later, Álvarez reveals that he has written the script for the Alien: Romulus sequel, but won't direct the movie. While speaking about its story, he told TooFab,

"We wrote the story because we really love what we started with Romulus, and we want to continue the story. We love the story, and now we just want to find a director that really wants to go for the jugular."

Alien: Romulus is available to stream on Hulu and Disney+ in the US.