Fede Alvarez’s “Alien: Romulus” to Have UK Premiere at Edinburgh International Film Festival

Fede Alvarez is preparing for an out-of-this-world premiere in Scotland…

The 46-year-old Uruguayan filmmaker’s Alien: Romulus will make its UK premiere at the revamped Edinburgh International Film Festival (EIFF) in August.

Fede AlvarezThe highly anticipated reboot of Ridley Scott’s horror franchise will open the festival’s new Midnight Madness strand on August 15.

20th Century Studios will release the film in the UK and Ireland on August 16, the same day as its U.S. launch.

Produced by Scott and co-written and directed by Alvarez, the film stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, Archie Renaux, Isabela Merced, Spike Fearn and Aileen Wu.

Billed as a return to the franchise’s roots, the film follows a group of young space colonizers who, while scavenging on a derelict space station, come face to face with the most terrifying life form in the universe.

Alien: Romulus“We are absolutely ecstatic to be the UK premiere host for this viciously entertaining new vision for the Alien franchise from one of the most exciting horror filmmakers currently working,” said EIFF Director, Paul Ridd 

“Fede Alvarez brings a sense of tradition and legacy, as well as gory originality and swagger to the table, and we can think of no better way to open our Midnight Madness programme than with this showstopping new film. Plus knowing that Ridley Scott’s seminal original ALIEN also played a midnight UK premiere at the Festival back in 1979 is the icing on a spectacular, albeit very gnarly, cake. Bring it on.”

Former Picturehouse Cinema acquisitionns exec Ridd is gearing up for this first edition of EIFF at the helm, with the festival undergoing a revamp after a difficult few years.

The EIFF will run from August 15 to 21.

The full program will be unveiled on July 10.

Camila Mendes to Star in Gulfstream Pictures’ Romantic Comedy “Upgraded”

Camila Mendes is preparing for an upgrade.

The 28-year-old Brazilian American actress and Riverdale star will star opposite Archie Renaux in Gulfstream Pictures’ romantic comedy Upgraded, from actor-director Carlson Young, which has entered production in the UK.

Camila MendesIn the film written by Christine Lenig, Justin Matthews & Luke Roberts, aspiring art intern Ana (Mendes) is invited on a last-minute work trip to London by her brilliant but intimidating super boss, meeting the handsome and wealthy William (Renaux) on the plane. Set in both London and New York City, the rom-com chronicles the trials and tribulations of balancing work, romance and following your dreams.

Developed in part by Mendes and Rachel MatthewsUpgraded is the third film financed by Gulfstream Pictures this year, following the Josephine Langford-led rom-com The Other Zoey and the motorcycle racing pic One Fast Move, starring KJ Apa, both of which are currently in post-production.

“We are thrilled to be working with the enormously talented Camila Mendes, Carlson Young and Archie Renaux, as they pull back the curtain on the art world in this fun and engaging romantic comedy,” said Gulfstream’s leaders.

Mendes is best known for her role as Veronica Lodge on The CW’s popular teen drama series Riverdale, based on characters from the Archie Comics, which returns for its seventh and final season next year.

Additional credits include Max Barbakow’s acclaimed sci-fi rom-com Palm Springs for Neon and Hulu, the rom-com The New Romantic with Jessica Barden, and the Netflix thriller Dangerous Lies.

The actress will next be seen starring alongside Maya Hawke and Sophie Turner in the Netflix comedy Do Revenge, slated for release on September 16, and has also been tapped to star opposite Rudy Mancuso in his rom-com Música for Amazon Studios and Wonderland Sound and Vision.

Jorge López to Star in the Rom-Com “The Other Zoey”

Jorge López has found his other

The 30-year-old Chilean actor and Elite star has joined the cast of The Other Zoey, the rom-com from Gulfstream Pictures currently in production in North Carolina.

Jorge Lopez

López joins a roster of cast newcomers that includes Mallori Johnson, Maggie Thurmon, Gabriella Saraivah and Amalia Yoo.

The actors join an ensemble led by Josephine Langford, Drew Starkey and Archie Renaux, which also includes Andie MacDowell, Heather Graham and Patrick Fabian.

The film from director Sara Zandieh centers on Zoey Miller (Langford), a bright college student who rejects traditional ideals of love and dating, only to have her entire perspective on romance turned upside down when another student mistakes her for his girlfriend, also named Zoey.

Matt Tabak penned the script for the film, which is being financed by Gulfstream Pictures.