Disney and its 20th Century Studios division held a special panel at San Diego Comic-Con for their latest film, "Alien: Romulus." Thrilling theatrics, video questions from surprise guests and promotional gifts like rubber alien "face huggers" won the hearts of fans at the event.
The start of the panel was thrilling. Red strobe lights, a man stumbling across the stage, and then a “chest busting” scene. This scene left the audience in a frenzy. The panel became more interesting with questions from famous filmmakers like Ridley Scott and Guillermo del Toro. The event drew an audience of over 6,500 in the cavernous hall of the San Diego Convention Center.
Giving away rubber alien "face huggers" to fans made the panel even more special. Many accepted these happily and immediately shared selfies and photos with all their friends. This promotional strategy was successful.
"Alien: Romulus" is the sequel to 2017's "Alien: Covenant". It is the first film produced since Disney bought Fox in 2019. As usual for Ridley Scott, the film is also made on a huge budget.
The film is directed by Fede Alvarez. Alvarez, the director behind hit movies like "Don't Breathe," worked with a cast of new faces and up-and-comers such as Kyle Spaney, Isabella Merced, David Johnson, Archie Renaux, Spike Fern and Eileen Wu.
Of the Alien franchise, Alvarez said, "They worked on revisiting the original designs while respecting them. They also hired staff like Shane Mahan, who worked on the alien queen in Cameron's 1986 entry Aliens."
Alvarez describes his creative process wryly. His work was thought to stink most of the time. This lively atmosphere, and his honesty won him over to the cast. "We can really trust him," Spaney said.
"To give 200 percent. These kids did that to give you the movie you deserve," Alvarez said.