The buzz surrounding the Alien: Romulus sequel keeps growing, especially after rumors linked When Evil Lurks filmmaker Demián Rugna to the project. Following Fede Álvarez’s revelation that he won’t return to direct Alien: Romulus 2 but is currently scripting it, many began speculating that Rugna would step in to helm the sequel. The acclaimed horror director has now officially addressed those reports—putting the speculation to rest.
In an interview with entertainment outlet ‘Omelete,’ Rugna made it clear that there’s no truth to the claims that he’s been tapped to direct the next installment in the legendary Alien series. While he’s honored by the mention, Rugna confirmed that it’s merely a rumor sparked by Álvarez’s casual comment.
“I heard about the rumor, and it’s honestly flattering,” Rugna explained. “I love the Alien franchise, but there’s nothing official. It was just something Fede mentioned. Of course, I’d be thrilled if it were true, but it isn’t.”
The filmmaker went on to share his admiration for Álvarez, hinting that collaboration between the two could still happen in the future. “Fede and I have discussed the possibility of working together,” Rugna added. “He’s a fantastic artist, and we respect each other’s work. Hopefully, something comes out of it down the line.”
Released in 2024, Alien: Romulus became both a critical and commercial success. With an 80% critics’ score, it ranked as the third highest-rated film in the Alien franchise—just behind Aliens (94%) and the original Alien (93%). The film also dominated the box office, earning over $350 million against an $80 million budget, making it the top-grossing horror movie of the year.
Following such strong results, the studio quickly began exploring sequel options. Although Álvarez is staying on as writer, his decision not to direct leaves the project’s leadership uncertain for now. Still, the franchise appears far from finished, with new creative directions emerging across multiple platforms.
Legendary actress Sigourney Weaver recently confirmed that she’s been in talks about reprising her iconic role as Ellen Ripley. Producer Walter Hill reportedly has a treatment that could bring Ripley back in some capacity—though how her return fits into the timeline remains unclear.
Meanwhile, Noah Hawley’s TV series Alien: Earth continues to expand the lore. The show’s first season, set a decade before Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, earned widespread acclaim. Fans are eagerly awaiting confirmation of Season 2, though Disney has yet to make an official announcement.
With Fede Álvarez’s script underway and Demián Rugna denying directorial involvement—for now—the Alien universe shows no signs of slowing down.
