Alien: Romulus is set to burst its way into theaters this August, and star Cailee Spaeny says she spent a lot of time studying the iconic Sigourney Weaver to help inform her acting choices. Directed by Fede Álvarez, Romulus stars Spaeny as part of a group of space colonists that come face to face with the legendary Xenomorphs while scavenging a derelict space station. Co-starring Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, and Archie Reneaux, the film is poised to break the box office record set by Prometheus, which went on to earn $403 million in 2012, making it the most successful entry in the franchise thus far.
Speaking with Total Film (via GamesRadar) ahead of the release of Alien: Romulus, Spaeny says that she had Ellen Ripley on repeat for “months” prior to shooting the latest entry in the long-running franchise. The character portrayed by Sigourney Weaver set the standard for the series going forward, and Spaeny was hoping that some of that magic would rub off on her.
“I had [Weaver’s] performance playing on repeat for months. I was sort of hoping that something would seep in.”
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus takes the phenomenally successful “Alien” franchise back to its roots. While scavenging the deep ends of a derelict space station, a group of young space colonizers come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.
- Release Date
- August 16, 2024
Despite the big shoes she has to fill, however, Spaeny says she never bowed to the pressure thanks to one simple fact: the role of Ripley wasn’t written specifically for a woman. When crafting the story for 1979’s Alien, Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett made all the parts interchangeable – unisex, if you will – meaning that either a male or female could easily step into the role and not affect the overall story one way or the other.
“I never felt intimidated. That role wasn’t written for a woman, so there was real freedom. And because Sigourney injected all of herself into it, that then opens up any other female who’s entering this franchise into not ever feeling that weird weight or pressure of playing a female lead.”
Cailee Spaeny Isn’t Trying To Be Ellen Ripley in Alien: Romulus
While Weaver may have set the standard for women in action films following her performance in Alien (and her equally badass performance in James Cameron’s Aliens), Spaeny – who portrays Rain Carradine in Romulus – knows that she can never be Ellen Ripley. For her, the 25-year-old actress is just hoping to bring to the table some of that same grit Weaver did, which made her the iconic figure she is today.
“I definitely did everything that I could to bring that character to life. Watching Sigourney play that role – she’s part of the changing of the game that those films did. I could never be her,” she told Total Film back in March 2024. “But I injected whatever I have in me into that character, and tried to make it three-dimensional – as three-dimensional as possible. So I hope that that’s there, and it comes alive.”
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Alien: Romulus Star Has a Strong Warning for Kids Sneaking a Peek at the Movie
Fede Álvarez will explore a centuries-old myth in Alien: Romulus, which is said to have some pretty intense scenes according to Isabela Merced.
For fans who might hope to see a cameo by Weaver in Alien: Romulus considering that it takes place just 20 years after the events in Alien, don’t hold your breath. While Weaver has said in the past that she would love to return to the franchise that helped make her famous, that was a different time with a different filmmaker. She says that for now, “that ship has sailed.”
Alien: Romulus
hits theaters on August 16, 2024, and you can check out the trailer below.