Summary
A new international trailer forAlien: Romulusconfirms the return of an iconic detail concerning the franchise’s Xenomorph physiology. Set to arrive in theaters on August 16,Alien: Romulusplans to return to the franchise’s roots with a horror focus reminiscent of the original 1979 film, and an emphasis on practical production techniques. Set between the events ofRidley Scott’sAlienand James Cameron’sAliens, the story follows a group of space colonists who encounter the deadly lifeforms while scavenging an abandoned space station.
A new international trailer forAlien: Romulushas been released online by20th Century Japan, with the footage highlightingthe return of the Xenomorphs' signature acidic blood. Check it out below:
Making things even more frightening forAlien: Romulus’characters, the scavengers are faced with having to navigate their way through a spray of acidic blood as they float through a narrow passageway in a zero-gravity environment.
What Is The Purpose Of The Xenomorphs' Acidic Blood?
The Official In-Universe Explanation Has Never Really Been Resolved
Yet while this curious part of the Xenomorph physiology would continue to feature heavily in the franchise’s later sequels, the in-universe explanation behind it has often been debated.
Depicted as a viscous, dull yellow liquid with highly corrosive properties, theXenomorphs' acid bloodhas been a key part of the franchise’s loresince the originalAlien.First revealed when the crew of the Nostromo attempted to remove the Facehugger from John Hurt’s Executive Officer Kane, the creatures’ blood prevented their efforts for fear it could not only injure their crewmate, but even cause a catastrophic hull breach. Yet while this curious part of the Xenomorph physiology would continue to feature heavily in the franchise’s later sequels, the in-universe explanation behind it has often been debated.
Which Movies You Should Watch Before Alien: Romulus (& Which You Can Skip)
Alien: Romulus is the ninth installment in the franchise, but its place in the timeline means that not every other movie has to be watched beforehand.
One theory, initially proposed in the 1995 bookAliens: Colonial Marines Technical Manual,suggests that the creatures’acidic blood serves as a bio-electric batteryand allows them to produce energy without needing oxygen. This particular explanation also accounts for the varying degrees of corrosiveness that can be seen in the movies, suggesting that the creatures’ blood becomes more hazardous when it is “fully charged.” However, before this theory, another possible explanation came from theAlien: Hivecomics that would hint that their acidic blood first evolved as adefensive mechanism against the Predators.
In 2017’sAlien: Covenant,an earlier bio-engineered iteration of the classicAlienXenomorph (dubbed the Neomorph) was introduced. However, it did not appear to possess the other creatures’ trademark acidic blood.
Yet despite the mystery surrounding the acid blood’s in-universe explanation, its narrative purpose is clear and is evidently used for great effect inAlien: Romulus.Originally proposed by concept artist Ron Cobb, the Xenomorphs’ acidic blood was first introduced specifically to render the creatures even more dangerous and unkillable than their aggressive natures and rapid breeding cycles allowed. Even if injured, or dead, a Xenomorph’s acid blood still poses a grave threat to anyone nearby, as the latestAlien: Romulustrailerproves.
Alien: Romulus
Cast
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
