Many were confused when news broke that Fede Álvarez would not be returning to direct the sequel to “Alien: Romulus.” Since then, speculation has been rampant: Did Álvarez step aside voluntarily, or was there friction behind the scenes with 20th Century or even Ridley Scott?
At HorrorBound Weekend, Álvarez and his longtime collaborator Rodo Sayagues name-dropped “When Evil Lurks” filmmaker Demián Rugna, and the fanbase went into overdrive, thinking Rugna was the chosen one to helm the sequel.
Not so fast. Rugna has now denied the rumor (via Omelete), saying he wished “it were true.”
I heard the rumor. It’s truly flattering, and I love the idea, but there’s nothing to it. Just a comment from Fede Álvarez. It’s fantastic that they’re linking me to that, but I wish it were true and I didn’t have to say there’s nothing to it.
The search continues. An announcement should be coming soon, but clearly the original plan to shoot the sequel in October is not going to happen — it has probably been delayed, no doubt due in part to Álvarez suddenly handing the project over to someone else.