Controversial ‘Alien: Romulus’ Character Tweaked For Home Release

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The film titled “Romulus” was warmly appreciated by both critics and enthusiasts of the “Alien” series. On Rotten Tomatoes, it earned the label “Certified Fresh,” and generated a staggering revenue of more than $350 million globally. Excitingly, a follow-up is already being developed.

However, a particular element in the film sparked differing opinions, even amongst those who generally enjoyed it: The depiction of the late actor Ian Holm, essentially resurrecting his character from the initial Alien movie, as he portrayed the ominous android Ash.

In the setting of Romulus, Holm’s likeness emerged as a virtually identical artificial lifeform known as Rook. Human characters from Romulus stumbled upon the revived Rook within the abandoned debris of a space station. The awakened Rook issued warnings about the xenomorph threat and attempted to maneuver the heroes into fulfilling the Weyland-Yutani corporation’s nefarious objectives.

As a passionate movie buff, I must share this fascinating tidbit: Though legendary actor Lee “Homer” passed away in the scorching heat of summer 2020, he managed to steal the show yet again in the film “Alien: Romulus.” Using a blend of innovative special effects technologies, they brought him back to life on screen. A lifelike animatronic puppet was crafted for his scenes and utilized right there on the movie set. Later, some shots were enhanced with an intricate mix of computer-generated imagery and deepfake technology, ensuring a seamless continuation of Homer’s unforgettable performance.

Setting aside any ethical concerns about reviving an actor posthumously, the idea itself is quite intriguing. Unfortunately, the execution fell short and felt somewhat clumsy. It wasn’t convincing that the character portrayed by Ian Holm was genuinely seated on a table conversing with the rest of the cast; instead, it appeared more like a special effect. Granted, Rook isn’t a real human being, but one might expect some level of artificiality given this fact. However, Rook didn’t even resemble a collection of tubes and synthetic skin. He simply looked like computer-generated imagery (CGI).

More recently, a social media user commented that they thought the CGI on Rook’s face in “Alien: Romulus” looked significantly improved when watched at home. They even asked the film’s director, Fede Alvarez, if this was indeed true, and whether the effects for Rook had been enhanced for the home video release. Alvarez confirmed that to be the case.

In this behind-the-scenes video about the production of Alien: Romulus, you get a glimpse into some of the effort put into developing Rook and the remarkable animatronic modeled after Holm.

In the video clip, I only caught a few short glances of the original Rook special effect, and I couldn’t find more footage online for comparison with what’s currently streaming. However, after watching Alien: Romulus on Disney+, it seems the effect still appears quite noticeable to me. It might be interesting if we could eventually see a side-by-side comparison that highlights all the alterations made over time. I would definitely be intrigued to witness such a comparison.

Right now, you can stream the movie titled “Romulus” on Hulu (alternatively, on Disney+ if you subscribe to Hulu as well). For a deeper insight into the film, feel free to check out my original review of its theatrical release, complete with Rook effects, over on ScreenCrush.

Every ‘Alien’ Movie, Ranked From Worst to Best

9. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007)

In this image, it’s hard to discern what we’re seeing. It strangely resembles the movie “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem,” a film that appears to have been produced without any working lighting equipment. A significant portion of the film is set at night, in the dark, amidst a forest, and it’s raining, making it challenging to keep track of the action. The first “Predalien,” a less-than-impressive fusion of the two main characters, is a key element of this movie.

8. Alien vs. Predator (2004)

As a movie reviewer, I must confess that the “Alien vs. Predator” film set in an icy pyramid buried beneath Antarctica stands out among the two crossover sequels, albeit not without its flaws. Regrettably, nearly one-third of this 89-minute movie is dedicated to introducing a horde of human characters who are swiftly dispatched once the titular creatures make their appearance on screen. Despite these shortcomings, I can’t help but admire the film’s practical effects, which are nothing short of eye-catching and impressive. Furthermore, it’s challenging to ignore a production that features Sanaa Lathan brandishing a detached xenomorph head as a shield in battle.

7. Alien Resurrection (1997)

In a somewhat chaotic manner, this film can be quite messy, but when it comes to Xenomorphs, isn’t a bit of chaos to be expected? Jean-Pierre Jeunet infused the usually grim Alien saga with a playful sense of humor; in fact, this is the Alien movie where you can watch a mad scientist act as if he’s kissing the Xenomorphs through Plexiglass. The portrayal of Ripley in this film is quite unusual – technically, she’s a half-alien, half-human clone, sporting Xenomorph black and green manicured nails. However, Sigourney Weaver’s performance as this bizarre character could be her finest in the entire franchise. The story revolves around a group of mercenaries trying to survive on a military outpost overrun by facehugging creatures, but it’s not particularly memorable. Yet, Jeunet’s unique perspective and Weaver’s choices elevate this film above its reputation.

6. Alien: Romulus (2024)

The initial Alien sequels might not have been cinematic masterpieces, yet they were consistently unconventional and daring. They ventured into the unknown, they went dark, and they tested boundaries. The film Alien: Romulus manages to create a good monster movie, however, it fails to expand the franchise in any meaningful way. Instead, it reluctantly pulls the series back towards its past, filled with numerous references (and even plot elements) borrowed from Ridley Scott’s Alien and James Cameron’s Aliens. While this isn’t necessarily dull or poorly executed, it feels like a betrayal of the essence that makes the Xenomorph so unique and menacing in its genetic makeup.

5. Alien 3 (1992)

Following the departure of the original director for “Alien 3”, Fox decided to hire David Fincher as his replacement, believing that as an inexperienced filmmaker, he would be easy to control. However, Fincher proved them wrong by standing firm and creating a relentlessly grim and commercially unappealing movie about a corporation that seeks to exploit a wild alien creature, ultimately turning their arrogance and greed into chaos and destruction. Despite the film’s flaws – primarily its confusing religious undertones and a cast of bald actors who are difficult to distinguish – the central concept, with the alien representing Fincher’s metaphorical spirit animal on set, is almost too fitting to describe.

4. Prometheus (2012)

In Ridley Scott’s highly anticipated return to the series he co-founded, expectations were sky-high. However, unlike what fans might have expected with the franchise’s signature alien presence, the movie delved into the genesis of life in a cold, god-dominated universe. Visually, it’s stunning and Michael Fassbender delivers an outstanding portrayal as android David, arguably the best performance in the series. The narrative occasionally gets murky, and the characters, who are supposed to be sharp scientists and adventurers, often seem more prone to blunders leading to their own demise. Yet, it could simply be another clever reflection of Scott’s somewhat pessimistic perspective on humanity.

3. Alien: Covenant (2017)

In the title’s hint, Ridley Scott’s third Alien movie employs his iconic monster from the Alien series as a means to explore themes of divine beings and their interactions with humanity, highlighting how creation and destruction are intertwined. The deities in Alien: Covenant encompass various Judeo-Christian entities, ancient aliens, creators of robotics, and even their artificial offspring – possibly Ridley Scott himself given his role as the film’s director. While Alien: Covenant may have its flaws, like many gods do.

2. Aliens (1986)

According to James Cameron himself, he won the chance to create an Alien sequel by scribbling “Alien” on a note and transforming it into “ALIEN$” with two lines above the “S”. Fox was convinced, giving Cameron the opportunity to produce one of cinema’s most iconic sequels. Although Aliens has more Xenomorphs than Ridley Scott’s original, it consistently revolves around Sigourney Weaver’s character, Ellen Ripley, and its central themes of motherhood and trauma. The film is also known for its remarkable production design, cinematography, and memorable scenes such as the iconic battle between Ripley in the Power Loader and the queen. For an enhanced viewing experience, watch the extended cut version.

1. Alien (1979)

In my opinion, both Alien and Aliens are exceptional movies, but each one offers a unique perspective. Comparing them is like trying to decide between apples and steaks – they’re just so different. While some might favor the action-packed intensity of Aliens, it’s hard not to appreciate Ridley Scott’s intricate, believable depiction of Alien’s gritty, corporate-dominated future where workers are disposable and profit takes priority over people’s welfare. The visuals and sequences from this film, as well as its promotional campaign, have influenced numerous other movies for over four decades.

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2025-01-14 03:32