Rumors of the death of the “Alien: Romulus” sequel have been greatly exaggerated—and 20th Century Studios President of Production Steve Asbell did not mince words about it.
After a dubious report began circulating online claiming that the follow-up had been indefinitely shelved, Asbell responded directly on Twitter with a single word: “Nope.”
Obviously, that’s not a detailed production update. The sequel still does not have a publicly announced director, production start or release date. But when the studio executive overseeing the film flatly rejects a claim that it has been abandoned, that should settle the immediate question.
The rumor originated with World of Reel, which attributed the claim to one anonymous source before filling out the item with “maybe” and “who knows” speculation about supposed creative disagreements involving producer Ridley Scott. The hedging-bet nature of the report already framed itself as questionable, and Asbell’s public denial makes the report look even shakier.
Adding another wrinkle, screenwriter and filmmaker Brian Duffield retweeted Asbell’s denial. Duffield has recently been rumored to be writing a new “Alien” movie for 20th Century, with both online reporters Daniel Richtman and Jeff Sneider said to have heard about his involvement. However, none of the reporting established whether Duffield is working on the “Romulus” sequel, rewriting it or developing an entirely separate entry in the franchise.
When the Duffield rumor first surfaced in June, Asbell responded with an apparently joking “Who?” The two have already worked together on “No One Will Save You” and the upcoming “Whalefall,” so the remark was hardly a serious denial. Duffield’s retweet now certainly feels notable in knocking down the bogus report, but it is not yet confirmation that he is involved with whatever shape “Romulus 2” takes.
Fede Álvarez and Rodo Sayagues wrote the known version of the sequel. Álvarez announced last year that the screenplay had been completed, but he would not return to direct. Instead, he planned to produce alongside Scott while the studio searched for another filmmaker.
“We just finished the script, actually, for a sequel for ‘Romulus,’” Álvarez said in September 2025. “But I’m gonna pass the torch on this one as director.”
Álvarez said they were looking for a filmmaker who wanted to “go for the jugular.” Michael Sarnoski, the director of “A Quiet Place: Day One,” was later rumored to be among the possibilities, but no deal was announced.
That search has clearly taken longer than expected, leaving an information vacuum that rumor sites are happy to fill. But a slowly developing project and an indefinitely shelved project are not the same thing.
“Alien: Romulus” earned approximately $350 million worldwide and established Cailee Spaeny’s Rain and David Jonsson’s Andy as characters who could carry the franchise forward. The sequel still has plenty of unanswered questions—including whether Duffield is now part of the equation—but whether 20th Century has quietly killed it is apparently not one of them.
Asbell’s answer remains the most authoritative—and economical—update available. Sorry, nope.
Nope. https://t.co/vDcGeCF1IU
— Steve Asbell (@steveasbell) August 1, 2026
Born in Chile, raised in Canada, now living in Brooklyn, NY, Rodrigo Perez is the founder and editor-in-chief of The Playlist, which he launched in 2007. He has worked in entertainment journalism since 2000, including at MTV, and has written for SPIN, IndieWire, Pitchfork, Complex, Magnet, MuchMusic, and various music, film, and entertainment publications over the past two decades.
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
- Rodrigo Perez
