The revival of the Alien franchise took a major leap forward with the release of Alien: Romulus on August 16, 2024. Directed by Fede Alvarez, known for his work on Don’t Breathe and Evil Dead, the film marks a significant return to the big screen for the iconic franchise after a seven-year hiatus. Alien: Romulus not only pays homage to the series’ roots but also introduces fresh elements that bridge the gap between Alien and Aliens.
A Fresh Take on the Alien Franchise
Alien: Romulus centers around a group of young space colonizers who, while salvaging a derelict space station, encounter the deadly Xenomorph. The film brings a new generation of characters into the terrifying universe of Alien, while staying true to the franchise’s hallmark suspense and horror.
Inspiration from The Last of Us: Part II
In an intriguing twist, Fede Alvarez revealed that Alien: Romulus drew inspiration from the popular video game The Last of Us: Part II. Specifically, the game’s secondary protagonist, Dina, played by Shannon Woodward, influenced the creation of the character Kay, portrayed by Isabela Merced in the film.
In The Last of Us: Part II, Dina, who is Ellie’s love interest, discovers she is pregnant shortly after arriving in Seattle. This revelation affects her role in the story, as she must support Ellie from the sidelines while she recovers. This narrative element struck a chord with Alvarez, who integrated a similar storyline into Alien: Romulus.
Kay’s Role and Tragic Fate
In Alien: Romulus, Kay is introduced as a key character who discovers she is pregnant at the start of the journey. This development forces her to sit out much of the mission, paralleling Dina’s situation in The Last of Us: Part II. Kay’s pregnancy becomes a pivotal plot point as it influences the film’s climactic moments.
The character of Kay becomes the Xenomorph’s second victim, but her encounter with the alien is particularly harrowing. After being taken to the hive by the Xenomorph, Kay, who has lost considerable blood, does not come into contact with a Facehugger. Instead, she is injected with the “Prometheus Strain” in a desperate attempt to save her life. This injection leads to a dramatic and horrifying birth of an alien hybrid—a cross between a Xenomorph and an Engineer. Unfortunately, this monstrous entity ultimately leads to Kay’s demise.
Additional Connections and Casting News
The influence of The Last of Us: Part II on Alien: Romulus extends beyond just the character of Kay. Aileen Wu’s character Navarro in the film was also inspired by Lev from the game. This connection highlights the deep impact that the video game’s narrative had on Alvarez’s storytelling.
Adding another layer to this crossover, Isabela Merced, who plays Kay in Alien: Romulus, has been cast as Dina in HBO’s adaptation of The Last of Us. This casting choice underscores the thematic and narrative parallels between the two projects, linking them in an unexpected but fascinating way.
Conclusion
Alien: Romulus has reenergized the Alien franchise with a gripping new storyline and fresh characters. The film’s surprising connection to The Last of Us: Part II adds a unique twist to its development, illustrating the cross-media inspirations that shape modern storytelling. As Alien: Romulus continues to make waves, the creative influences from video games and other media highlight the evolving nature of cinematic and interactive narratives.