When exactly does Alien: Romulus take place in the Alien timeline?

As a die-hard Alien fan who has lost count of the number of times I’ve watched the original series, I must say that Alien: Romulus is a thrilling addition to the franchise that sent chills down my spine! Fede Álvarez, the director and co-writer, clearly shares my passion for the series, and it shows in the film’s visuals that beautifully evoke both Alien and Aliens.

In a thrilling reboot of the “Alien” franchise, the character “Romulus” breathes life into the series once more, as a team of youthful settlers encounter a harrowing fight against the Xenomorph.

Director Fede Álvarez, who collaborated on the script as well, undeniably holds a fondness for the series, displaying influences from both Alien and Aliens in the film’s visual style.

It’s possible you could confuse the Remus part of the Weyland-Yutani station Renaissance with the Nostromo, given how a recognizable character reappears in it.

As a dedicated gamer, I find myself often puzzled about where exactly the game, Alien: Romulus, fits into the broader Alien universe timeline. So, let me clarify any confusion for you!

When exactly does Alien: Romulus take place in the Alien timeline?

When is Alien: Romulus set in the timeline?

If you hadn’t previously noticed, Álvarez’s interviews prior to the release provide a fleeting detail that clarifies the precise timeline of Alien: Romulus.

The film “Romulus” unfolds in the year 2142, 20 years after the occurrences depicted in “Alien,” and 37 years prior to the events of “Aliens.” At the onset of the movie, a device’s screen displays that it is February 2142.

In my gaming world, I stumble upon a moment when the Renaissance crew retrieves the initial Xenomorph, hailing from the Alien universe. What remains unclear is the precise duration between this discovery and the point where characters like Rain, Andy, and the rest find themselves aboard the Renaissance ship.

Given that the Xenomorph was fully-grown, it likely wouldn’t have needed long to overpower the crew aboard the Renaissance. However, scientists were able to extract the black goo from the Xenomorph, suggesting it wasn’t an extremely prolonged process.

When exactly does Alien: Romulus take place in the Alien timeline?

It’s been confirmed by Álvarez that the setting for Alien: Romulus is in the year 2142. Therefore, the primary events depicted in the film will still occur during that timeframe.

He clarified that the choice to set the film a few years after the initial one was primarily logical for the storyline’s foundation.

The plot calls for this approach, allowing me to infuse the narrative with the aesthetic of “Alien,” while also introducing futuristic tech that gradually evolves into the technology of future “Aliens.”

Should you wish to explore beyond the original Alien universe, the story of Alien: Romulus unfolds five years after the occurrences depicted in Alien: Isolation (which is set in the year 2137) and seventeen years prior to Alien: Out of the Shadows (which takes place in 2159).

For more on Alien: Romulus, check out:

1. Is there a post-credit sequence in the movie titled Alien: Romulus?

Alien: Romulus is out now in cinemas.

2024-08-19 18:19