Popcorn buckets have become the newest collectible marketing trend. They are everywhere, from Disney Parks to movie theaters. As we near the premiere of Alien: Romulus on August 16, Discussing Film has revealed the movie’s snack merch tie-in.
The container isn’t fully revealed in the post, but we can tell that a face-hugger is about to interrupt your good time with an unexpected visit.
The ‘ALIEN: ROMULUS’ popcorn bucket has been teased.
(Source: @Fandango) pic.twitter.com/zl8vs09lud
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 11, 2024
This practical-type effect falls in line with director Fede Alvarez’s vision for the special effects in Rumulus: “If it can be done practical, it will be done practical.” This statement is showcased in a series of behind-the-scenes photos below.
First behind the scenes look at ‘ALIEN: ROMULUS’
“If it can be done practical, it will be done practical” – Fede Álvarez’s rule for this film. pic.twitter.com/OaTMSsiGNV
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) July 11, 2024
With the popcorn bucket and the BTS pics, the Disney marketing team seems to be working overtime to hype fans in anticipation of the film. But there is one more aspect to their master plan, releasing a VHS tape to industry influencers to announce the movie will have a presence at this year’s San Diego Comic-Con. The tape, for those who could watch it, contains a preview of Alien: Romulus with never-before-seen footage.
Germain Lussier who writes for Gizmodo was one of the lucky press members to receive the old-school video medium and once he found a working VHS player, this is what he saw:
With everything we have seen thus far, Alien: Romulus appears to be a direct homage to the first two films in the series with some scenes artistically re-created in Alvarez’s upcoming movie. Alvarez himself said that Romulus takes place about 20 years after the events in Alien which would put it 40 years before James Cameron’s Aliens; it’s a sequel and a prequel!
It also doesn’t appear that people need to watch Prometheus or Alien: Covenant first to enjoy Romulus fully. Those films with their convoluted backstories and hi-tech setpieces felt over-reaching and opulent compared to what Alvarez has in store.
Furthermore, don’t forget there is an upcoming Fox Alien television series written and directed by Noah Hawley coming to Hulu early next year. If anything, the franchise, much like its monster lead, is hard to kill.
