What Comes After Alien: Covenant
After Alien: Covenant (2017), the next theatrical Alien feature is intended to be the sequel Alien: Romulus, released in 2024. Directed by Fede Álvarez and produced by Ridley Scott, the film is positioned as a direct follow-up to the original 1979 Alien rather than a continuation of the Covenant lineage. Below is a status overview of key attributes as of the latest available studio and trade reports.
Projected next film at a glance
| Attribute | Verified Detail | Source Type |
|---|---|---|
| Next theatrical Alien film | Alien: Romulus | Studio announcement |
| Theatrical release date | August 16, 2024 | 20th Century Studios |
| Narrative relation to Covenant | Not a continuation; set in a separate timeline | Director/exec statements |
| Director | Fede Álvarez | Official credits |
| Ridley Scott involvement | Producer; creative oversight | Production company statements |
Why Romulus is the next Alien film after Covenant
Ridley Scott confirmed that Romulus exists in the original Alien timeline, effectively serving as the next mainline entry after the prequel series exploring Covenant. Álvarez was brought on to deliver a smaller, intense horror-driven narrative distinct from the grander world-building seen in Covenant. Production prioritized practical effects and adherence to the claustrophobic tone established in the 1979 original, signaling a course correction toward the roots of the franchise rather than an extension of the Prometheus-Covenant trajectory.
Cast and creative team updates
While the core ensemble in Romulus is new, the film draws from the broader lore without rehashing Covenant characters. Key roles are filled by emerging actors under Álvarez’s direction, with Scott overseeing story and thematic cohesion. This structure emphasizes a lean creative team focused on delivering a compact, high-tension horror experience, differentiating itself from the ensemble-heavy approach of Covenant.
Production timeline and development
Development moved quickly after the finalization of Álvarez’s script, with casting completed in early 2023 and principal photography commencing mid-2023. The accelerated schedule reflects a clear intention to reestablish the Alien brand in the current landscape. Marketing ramped up through mid-2024, positioning Romulus as an event horror film rather than a soft continuation of the prequel story, thereby resetting audience expectations post-Covenant.
How Romulus relates to the broader series
- It is a direct sequel to the 1979 Alien, bypassing the Prometheus-Covenant saga.
- The film does not reference or resolve plot threads introduced in Covenant.
- Future Alien projects remain possible but are currently separate from Romulus continuity.
Key distinctions from Covenant and what to expect next
Unlike Covenant, which attempted to expand the mythology through the Engineers and new worlds, Romurnus opts for intimacy and escalation within known Alien territory. Going forward, fans should not expect an immediate follow-up to Romulus; any discussion of the next Alien movie after this installment remains speculative. For now, Romulus fulfills the role of the next Alien film after Covenant with a deliberate return to horror-first storytelling and canonical alignment with the original film.