Alien: Romulus is directed by Fede Alvarez, but the latest entry in the sci-fi series launched by Ridley Scott in 1979 has some very close ties to the original film. One is its setting; Romulus takes place between the events of Alien and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel Aliens. Another is the fact that Scott himself took an active role in the production—but was conscious of not imposing on Alvarez’s vision.
In a recent interview with the LA Times, Alvarez discussed their behind-the-scenes partnership; Scott is among the producers on Romulus, but of course it went beyond that. “Ridley was always the person I went to in order to show him where things are and to debate with him and to have his blessing and also his criticism and pushback on some things. It was a creative collaboration where we met in the middle.”
Scott told the paper that he mostly gave feedback on one specific arena: “Films are nearly always too long, and most directors never believe that a film can be too long.” (Alien and Romulus both run a hair under two hours.) But while the veteran filmmaker was clearly a valuable asset to the new film’s production, he also knew where to draw some boundaries.
“It is hard work with anybody and their mother giving you advice—the last thing you want at a certain point is advice,” Scott told the paper, using himself as an example. “I do not need advice. If I fall on my own sword and therefore lie bleeding, I say, ‘It was my fault.'”
He has a good feeling about Alvarez, though, and what his involvement means for the future of Alien: “The danger of all franchises is they do die unless somebody suddenly decides to pick up the mat and run down the field with a ball. Fede is a surge of energy, and I had to step back and let him do it.”
Alien: Romulus hits theaters August 16.
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