Fede Alvarez, known for his work on films like Evil Dead (2013) and Don’t Breathe, embarked on the journey of directing the latest installment in the Alien franchise. Filming for this yet-to-be-titled movie commenced in Budapest, Hungary on March 9th and concluded in early July, just before the onset of the Screen Actors Guild strike. As far as the information available goes, the film is still scheduled for a theatrical release on August 16, 2024.

Alvarez has been impressively tight-lipped about the project, keeping most details shrouded in secrecy. However, over the weekend, he did share a glimpse into his creative process by posting an image on social media featuring a collection of books that served as sources of inspiration. These books encompassed a range of Alien-related content, including the art of the video game Alien: Isolation, behind-the-scenes photographs from Aliens, the designs by the iconic H.R. Giger, concept art by Ron Cobb, insights into the making of Alien, and a deep dive into the vehicles and technology within the Alien universe. Additionally, there were materials related to David’s drawings from Alien: Covenant, Colonial Marines technology, and a collection of Aliens comic books.

This upcoming Alien movie is a collaborative effort between Momentum and 20th Century Studios, with legendary filmmaker Ridley Scott producing it under his Scott Free banner. Notably, the initial plan was for a release on the Hulu streaming service, much like the successful addition to the Predator franchise, Prey, which premiered last year. However, this strategy was subsequently revised to prioritize a theatrical release.

Alvarez is not only directing the film but also co-wrote the screenplay with his frequent collaborator, Rodo Sayagues. The project’s origins date back to Alvarez’s pitch for a new Alien movie to Ridley Scott several years ago. Clearly, the idea resonated with Scott, prompting him to revisit the concept. According to 20th Century Studios division president Steve Asbell, they greenlit the project based on the strength of Alvarez’s pitch, emphasizing the quality of the story and the introduction of new characters.

Asbell highlighted that, since the film was initially intended for Hulu, it does not bear the burden of catering to a broad audience with exorbitant budgets. This approach allows it to remain faithful to its genre roots.

Importantly, this installment in the Alien franchise is reported to exist as a standalone narrative, unconnected to previous films in the series. The storyline will follow a group of young individuals on a distant world who find themselves in a harrowing encounter with the universe’s most terrifying life form.

The cast is a blend of emerging talent and established actors, featuring Cailee Spaeny (known for Mare of Easttown), David Jonsson (from Industry), Archie Renaux (of Shadow and Bone fame), Spike Fearn (a presence in The Batman), Aileen Wu (known from Away from Home), and Isabela Merced (from Rosaline).