Alien Franchise Updates Classic VFX for Home Release

Alien: Romulus, a critical and box office success, is already slated for a sequel. However, one element widely criticized was the CGI portrayal of Ian Holm, who passed away in 2020. Holm's controversial return as Ash, via CGI, in this "interquel," was deemed distracting and unrealistic, prompting a fan-edited version to completely remove his character.

Director Fede Alvarez addressed the negative feedback regarding the CGI in an interview with Empire, stating that post-production time constraints hampered the quality. He admitted dissatisfaction with certain shots and acknowledged the validity of audience criticism.

Alien Film Timeline

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For the home release, Alvarez implemented improvements, investing additional resources to refine the CGI. The result emphasizes practical puppetry over CGI, aiming for a more natural look. Despite these efforts, many viewers still find the depiction distracting, with some questioning the necessity of Holm's inclusion in the film.

Reddit discussions highlight this mixed reception. Users describe the improved version as "better, but still awfully uncanny," and question the decision to resurrect the character using CGI. The consensus appears to be that while improvements were made, the initial execution was so flawed that even the revised version remains unsatisfactory to many.

Alien Romulus - Rook CGI Updates BluRay vs Digital
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The home release version utilizes camera angles that minimize the CGI face, showcasing more of the practical puppetry. However, the overall sentiment remains critical of the choice to digitally recreate Holm's likeness.

Despite this controversy, Alien: Romulus achieved significant box office success, grossing $350 million globally. A sequel, Alien: Romulus 2, is currently under consideration by 20th Century Studios, with Alvarez potentially returning as director.