From Springfield to space: Cailee Spaeny stars in latest 'Alien' film debuting in August

A product of the Springfield theatre community is starring in the latest installment of the renowned "Alien" franchise.

Cailee Spaeny, who grew up in Springfield and got her start performing in Branson and at Springfield's Little Theatre, plays the lead in the new science-fiction movie "Alien: Romulus." The film's first official trailer was released on Tuesday.

Directed by Fede álvarez — known for directing "Evil Dead" and "Don't Breathe" — "Alien: Romulus" follows a group of young space colonizers scavenging a derelict space station, according to the film's IMDb page. Along the way, the colonizers come face to face (literally) with the "most terrifying life form in the universe."

Spaeny plays Rain Carradine, the film's central character. While the film's plot remains murky, it appears — from the trailer — that Carradine hopes to one day leave space scavenging behind. But like many "Alien" characters, she is forced to think more about her own survival in the presence of the franchise's main antagonist, the Xenomorph.

Spaeny is joined on screen by a new crop of talent, including Isabela Merced, Aileen Wu, David Jonsson, Spike Fearn and Archie Renaux.

Told during different points of time in different points of space, the "Alien" franchise centers around human space scavengers and scientists coming in contact with the Xenomorph species.

When will 'Alien: Romulus' be released?

"Alien: Romulus" will be released on Aug. 16.

Catch up on the franchise. Here's where to stream the other 'Alien' movies.

  • "Alien" (1979): Hulu and YouTube Premium

  • "Aliens" (1986): Hulu, Max, YouTube Premium

  • "Alien 3" (1992): Hulu

  • "Alien: Resurrection" (1997): Hulu

  • "Prometheus" (2012): Hulu

  • "Alien: Covenant" (2017): Rent on YouTube, Amazon Prime and Apple TV

Greta Cross is the trending topics reporter for the Springfield News-Leader. She has more than five years of journalism experience covering everything from Ozarks history to Springfield’s LGBTQIA+ community. Follow her on X and Instagram @gretacrossphoto. Story idea? Email her at [email protected].

This article originally appeared on Springfield News-Leader: Springfield's Cailee Spaeny stars in new movie 'Alien: Romulus'