First Look at ‘Alpha Gang’ Features Dave Bautista and Cate Blanchett in Alien Biker Roles

Sci-fi comedy thrives on unexpected premises, and few filmmaking duos grasp this better than the Zellner Brothers. Renowned for their unique blend of deadpan humor and surreal worlds in films like ‘Sasquatch Sunset,’ David and Nathan Zellner have cultivated a reputation for transforming eccentric concepts into memorable cinema.

Their latest project, ‘Alpha Gang,’ has been years in the making, enduring pandemic-related delays and numerous cast changes before finally assembling its current ensemble. The film has seen the departure of stars like Channing Tatum, Zoe Kravitz, and Steven Yeun, ultimately culminating in a lineup that boasts impressive A-list talent.

Now, audiences are treated to their first glimpse of the finished film. New images released online showcase the cast of ‘Alpha Gang,’ including Dave Bautista, Cate Blanchett, Riley Keough, Lily Rose Depp, and Chris Pine, all sporting matching leather jackets as the film’s titular alien biker crew.

At its heart, ‘Alpha Gang’ revolves around a group of alien invaders who masquerade as a 1950s biker gang in their quest to conquer Earth. What begins as a ruthless plan for global domination becomes increasingly complex as the aliens start to experience human emotions for the first time.

This premise allows the Zellner Brothers to fully embrace the absurdist tone that has characterized their previous works. Blanchett plays the gang’s formidable leader, described in earlier reports as an unyielding figurehead guiding her crew through their emotional identity crisis on Earth.

The ensemble cast is unusually stacked for a genre comedy, with Bautista, Keough, Depp, Pine, and Arjona joining Blanchett as members of the gang. Léa Seydoux, Bae Doona, and Kelvin Harrison Jr. also play significant roles in the film.

The journey to this point has not been without its challenges. Initially announced in 2020 with a different cast, including Andrea Riseborough, Jon Hamm, and Nicholas Hoult, the project faced delays due to the pandemic.

When the film regained momentum in 2024, Blanchett joined as both star and producer, sparking a new wave of casting announcements. Major names cycled in and out of the project over the following months as scheduling conflicts reshuffled the lineup multiple times before production could finally commence.

Filming began in the summer of 2025, taking place in various locations across Budapest and Croatia, including scenes shot at the Monument to the Revolution of the People of Moslavina. Cinematographer Mike Gioulakis, known for his work on films like ‘It Follows’ and ‘Us,’ collaborated with the Zellners once again after their previous project, ‘Sasquatch Sunset.’

The eclectic final ensemble is part of what makes this first look so exciting. With Bautista’s action pedigree, Blanchett’s award-winning stature, and Pine and Depp’s rising profiles in both franchise and prestige projects, ‘Alpha Gang’ unites performers who seldom share the screen.

The film has already garnered attention by securing a spot in the Special Presentations at the Toronto International Film Festival. Such early festival recognition often indicates strong confidence from a production, especially for an original genre comedy without existing franchise ties.

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