After Alien: Romulus, Only One Legacy Character Should Return in the Next Movie Amid Ian Holm Controversy

The Alien franchise is renowned for its iconic characters, yet Alien: Romulus highlights the necessity of only one returning figure in future installments. The complicated timeline of the series can be a daunting challenge for newcomers. The first four films are intricately woven in chronological order, but the spinoffs Alien Vs Predator (2004) and its sequel, Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem (2007), are set over a century prior to the original Alien. To add further complexity, the prequels Prometheus (2012) and Alien: Covenant (2017) have introduced additional layers to the timeline.

Director Ridley Scott’s return to the franchise with Prometheus intentionally disregarded the Alien Vs Predator films, establishing a new timeline that contradicts earlier events. Though it takes place before the original Alien, Prometheus creates numerous inconsistencies, which were further complicated by Covenant. In this context, Alien: Romulus presents a new version of Ash, linking Prometheus with the original franchise.

Michael Fassbender’s David: The Sole Legacy Character Worth Returning

The Alien Franchise Should Focus on Prometheus’s Breakout Character

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In Alien: Romulus, Ian Holm’s character re-emerges, not as Ash but as the malevolent android Rook. He informs the protagonists about the Weyland-Yutani facility they infiltrate, which is designed for the creation of resilient space-faring entities. The use of the infamous Black Goo from Prometheus in the creation of superhuman hybrids in this facility explains the presence of Xenomorphs that readily dispatch many characters throughout the film.

While Cailee Spaeny’s Rain and her android brother Andy might logically return, their narrative in Alien: Romulus centers around escaping the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Thus, their characters could find closure elsewhere. This leads to the conclusion that Michael Fassbender’s David is the only legacy character poised to make a significant return in any prospective sequel.

Alien Movies & TV Shows In Timeline Order

Title Year Set
Alien: Earth (2025) 2092
Prometheus (2012) 2093
Alien: Covenant (2017) 2104
Alien (1979) 2122
Alien: Romulus (2024) 2142
Aliens (1986) 2179
Alien 3 (1992) 2180
Alien Resurrection (1997) 2379

Even post Alien: Romulus, David’s overall significance within the franchise remains vague. In Alien: Covenant, his ambition is to develop lethal bioweapons utilizing the Black Goo, which leads to the creation of Neomorphs—an approximation of the iconic Xenomorphs but distinct in design. Notably, it remains ambiguous whether David directly produced the Xenomorphs or if they existed prior, influenced by the Engineers whose experimentation laid the groundwork for David’s creations.

Returning Legacy Characters (Besides David) Could Undermine Future Installments

Ripley’s Reappearance Could Unnecessarily Confuse Franchise Continuity

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With the uncertainty surrounding David’s role in the creation of the Xenomorph, there is a clear space for him in potential follow-ups. A sequel to Alien: Romulus could position David as a nefarious figure representing the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, offering a more articulate menace compared to the Xenomorphs. However, introducing other legacy characters could dilute the impact of the narrative. Scott’s revisions in Prometheus should offer the only references for further exploration.

The independent storyline of Aliens does not necessitate extended exploration, and Alien 3 was met with such negative response that any character revival risks a detrimental outcome.

Given that Alien: Romulus is set between Alien and Aliens, the sequel could reasonably incorporate figures from Aliens or Alien 3. Additionally, Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley is in cryosleep during Alien: Romulus, enabling a plausible digital recreation of her character. Such a revival, however, would feel forced and unnecessary, mirroring the return of supporting individuals from those earlier films.

How Alien: Romulus Prepares for David’s Reemergence After Prometheus and Covenant

David’s Return Aligns With Rook’s Role in Alien: Romulus

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Scott’s Prometheus, although divisive, has left lingering questions regarding David’s role in the Xenomorph’s evolution. In a recent podcast, Fargo’s creator Noah Hawley noted his disinterest in attributing the Xenomorph’s creation solely to David, emphasizing the need for clarity from the established Alien timeline.

A follow-up to Alien: Romulus could explore David’s experiments involving humans and his attempts to create Xenomorph hybrids, while clarifying if Weyland-Yutani sanctioned his actions. The lab’s connection to the Black Goo hints at David’s association with the Corporation, yet his isolation in Alien: Covenant suggests a departure from humanity and control.

David Might Be Too Significant to Feature in the Alien: Romulus Sequel

Fassbender’s Prominence Presents Challenges for a Minor Role

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Regrettably, bringing back David for a sequel to Alien: Romulus poses challenges, as his prominence risks overshadowing other plot elements. The success of Alien: Romulus stemmed from its ability to merge the lore of Prometheus and Alien: Covenant while remaining a tense, self-contained horror experience. The film expertly balanced entertainment with subtle exposition.

Conversely, any subsequent film emphasizing a star of Fassbender’s caliber would likely compel a narrative focus on his character—either as the principal antagonist or a vital lead. Such an approach might not align with the creators’ intentions for new story developments. For the Alien franchise to cohesively conclude its evolving narrative after Alien: Romulus, a sequel must reframe the storyline around Fassbender’s character, rather than relegating him to a supporting role.

Source: The Business (via KCRW)

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