Romulus Star Teases One Scene That Sickened Crew

Alien: Romulus is about to add a thrilling segment to the Alien legacy. The film’s star, Isabela Merced, hinted at a scene so nauseating that it dares to test the endurance of the series’ most devoted fans.

In an intriguing anecdote shared with The Hollywood Reporter, Merced recounts an on-set moment that highlights the film’s intense commitment to its horror roots. During reshoots, Álvarez allowed her to preview a scene on his iPad, attracting a crowd of castmates. The footage, so grotesque in its execution, compelled everyone but Merced to avert their eyes—a testament to the scene’s shocking content. This episode not only amplifies the intrigue for what Alien: Romulus has in store but also showcases Merced’s own fervor for the science fiction genre. Merced revealed:

“It ends up being a little bit complicated, obviously, as all Alien movies do, however, yeah, you’ll see us together at times. When we were doing reshoots, Fede Álvarez gave me the iPad where he watches playback, and he had the movie pulled up. So I told him I wanted to see parts of it, and he showed it to me. I was the one holding the iPad, and there were ten people around me watching it on the iPad.

“So there’s a scene that I’m in, and they all had to turn away. Not one person stayed looking at that iPad because it was so disgusting. And I was watching it like this … (Merced pretends to hold an iPad with a mesmerized look on her face.) I was so excited. (Laughs.)

“I love sci-fi, I do. So he let me watch half the movie on the iPad. I said [to Fede], ‘If the iPad is heavy, I can carry it for you. I can hold it.’ (Laughs.) So I’m really, really excited for that one. Again, I’m lucky enough to be a part of these projects with the best of the best. I can’t believe it. I’m so in shock, and I don’t know when I’m going to wake up.”

Alien: Romulus positions itself as a pivotal turn in the franchise, diverging from the narrative paths carved by its predecessors, including the contentious Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Directed by Fede Álvarez, known for his deft hand in crafting horror spectacles, this film aims to chart a course back to the visceral terror that defined Ridley Scott’s original 1979 masterpiece. With a storyline nestled between Alien and Aliens it introduces a cadre of youthful characters on a distant planet, marking their first harrowing encounter with the iconic Xenomorph.

The cast of Alien: Romulus comprises a group of emerging talents, including Cailee Spaeny, Archie Renaux, David Jonsson, Aileen Wu, and Spike Fearn. While their character names remain under wraps, the franchise’s history suggests a perilous journey ahead, with survival far from guaranteed for these newcomers. This blend of young actors under Álvarez’s direction suggests a fresh yet faithful addition to the Alien legacy, one that is likely to balance the series’ hallmark blend of suspense, horror, and interstellar dread.

Alien: Romulus Brings Fresh Terror to the Beloved Franchise

Álvarez’s prior work, including the chilling Evil Dead remake and the suspenseful Don’t Breathe, hints at a director well-versed in eliciting fear and unease, promising that Alien: Romulus will not shy away from delivering a gut-wrenching horror experience. Furthermore, with an Alien TV series also in development, it’s clear the franchise is expanding its narrative universe, though “Romulus” stands apart, poised to offer a unique and unsettling story that could redefine expectations for what an Alien film can be.

As the release of Alien: Romulus draws near, the anticipation among fans and newcomers alike continues to build. With a promise of returning to the franchise’s horror roots, coupled with a fresh narrative perspective and a scene so disturbing it made seasoned professionals turn away, Alien: Romulus is shaping up to be a significant, if not shocking, addition to the Alien saga. In the hands of Fede Álvarez and a talented young cast, the film is poised to offer a gripping, spine-chilling experience that will reaffirm the Alien franchise’s place at the pinnacle of science fiction horror.