Disney announces release date and director for seventh installment of ‘Alien’ series

In a massive slate shuffle, Disney revealed on Tuesday that the seventh installment of the long-running "Alien" series will be released through 20th Century Studios on August 16, 2024. Fede Alvarez, known for directing horror films such as "Don't Breathe" and the 2013 revival of "Evil Dead," will write, direct, and produce the new film alongside original "Alien" director Ridley Scott. The cast includes Cailee Spaeny from "Mare of Easttown," Isabela Merced, David Jonsson, and Archie Renaux.

Delays and Changes in Disney's Slate

Disney made several other adjustments and additions to its film release schedule. Most of its upcoming Marvel titles, including "Blade" and "Thunderbolts," experienced delays due to an ongoing writers' strike, affecting the start of the shooting. These films were rescheduled for later in 2024, with "Thunderbolts" becoming Disney's first-holiday release within the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). "Deadpool III," currently in production in Canada without its screenwriters, was moved up to the traditional early May release slot for Marvel films.

Postponements in the "Avatar" Series

James Cameron's "Avatar" series also faced significant setbacks in Disney's announcement. Previously planned for release every other year until 2028, the third installment of the sci-fi saga is now scheduled for December 2025. The subsequent two installments have been pushed back to 2029 and 2031, respectively.

New Additions to the Slate

Alongside the reshuffling, Disney introduced several new additions to its film lineup. A live-action remake of "Moana" is in the works, with Dwayne Johnson reprising his role as Maui. The film is set to hit theaters in June 2025. Additionally, 20th Century Studios will release the original espionage thriller "The Amateur," starring Rami Malek, in November 2024. Fans can also anticipate an untitled "Star Wars" film slated for release in December 2026.

Exciting Developments in Disney's Ever-Evolving Film Universe

With the announcement of the release date and director for the seventh "Alien" installment, along with a multitude of other updates, Disney's film universe continues to captivate audiences. Fans eagerly anticipate the future of the "Alien" series and the numerous other highly anticipated films set to grace the big screen in the coming years.

FAQs

Is Disney making an aliens movie?
Disney's Alien franchise movie from director Fede Álvarez began filming in early 2023 and will be released in August 2024.

Is Alien and Predator Disney?
When Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, the studio nabbed a whole host of popular franchises. Among them are Alien and Predator, and while the House of Mouse has since developed Prey along with an upcoming Alien movie and TV series, there's one project they have which seemingly won't see the light of day.