Wallfisch Calls ‘Alien: Romulus’ ‘Extraordinary’

In a cinematic universe where the echoes of extraterrestrial terror travel light-years to reach Earth, fans of the Alien franchise are finally set to get their long-awaited fix after a seven-year hiatus. The saga of cosmic horror that Ridley Scott ignited nearly half a century ago returns next month with Alien: Romulus. This eagerly anticipated installment, produced by Scott and directed by Fede Alvarez—known for his work on Don’t Breathe—is set between the events of the original Alien (1979) and James Cameron’s Aliens (1986).

While the Disney-owned 20th Century Studios remains tight-lipped about specific plot details, the trailers suggest a thrilling narrative involving scavengers who stumble upon an abandoned space station named Romulus. What they find inside is a breeding ground for the infamous Facehuggers and Xenomorphs, the parasitic creatures that have become synonymous with the franchise’s chilling allure.

The cast includes Cailee Spaeny (from Priscilla), David Jonsson (star of Agatha Christie’s Murder is Easy), Archie Renaux (Shadow and Bone), Isabela Merced (The Last of Us), Spike Fearn (Aftersun), and newcomer Aileen Wu. Each brings their unique flair to a story steeped in suspense and horror.

Benjamin Wallfisch, the composer behind Alien: Romulus, recently shared his excitement about the film in a wide-ranging Zoom conversation. Wallfisch, also known for his work on the much-anticipated sequel Twisters, described the new Alien film as “an absolutely extraordinary piece of work,” albeit with a touch of personal bias. He reflects on his experience following in the footsteps of his musical idols, such as Jerry Goldsmith and James Horner, whose scores for the original Alien films deeply influenced him.

“I feel very fortunate to have been tasked with this project,” Wallfisch said. “It’s been an incredible challenge, and I’m thrilled for people to experience what we’ve created. Fede Alvarez has brought something truly unique to the table. The high bar set by the previous films only fueled our drive to deliver something special.”

Alvarez, whose previous credits include the 2013 remake of Sam Raimi’s The Evil Dead and the acclaimed Apple TV+ series Calls, co-wrote the screenplay with his regular collaborator, Rodo Sayagues. Alongside Scott and Michael Pruss, Walter Hill, co-founder of Brandywine Productions—which has long been associated with the Alien franchise—also takes on producing duties. Elizabeth Cantillon, Brent O’Connor, and Tom Moran join Alvarez as executive producers.

Adding to the franchise’s expanding universe, a new FX television series titled Alien: Earth is in development under the guidance of Fargo creator Noah Hawley. Although a premiere date remains unannounced, the series will explore events that precede the ill-fated Nostromo crew’s encounter with the distress signal on LV-426.

Hawley expressed his ambition for the series to delve deeper into the character and thematic elements of the franchise. “I set out to elevate one of the greatest horror and action franchises in cinema by focusing more on character development and thematic depth,” he told The Hollywood Reporter. “I’m extremely pleased with the results, from the actors’ performances to the work of all the artisans involved. I can’t wait for audiences to see it.”

With Alien: Romulus set to hit theaters exclusively on Friday, August 16, fans of the series can prepare for a return to the heart-pounding suspense and cosmic horror that has defined the franchise for decades.