Director Revisits CGI Controversy in Alien: Romulus
Last year, director Fede Álvarez surprised audiences by releasing Alien: Romulus. As the seventh installment in the iconic Alien franchise, the film sought to remain true to Ridley Scott’s original vision—a goal it largely achieved. With an 80% critics’ score and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, Alien: Romulus quickly became one of the most well-received entries in the series.
However, the movie was not without its flaws. One of the most talked-about issues arose from the inclusion of Ash, the android character famously portrayed by the late Ian Holm, who passed away years before production began. To bring the character back for a single scene, Álvarez opted for a CGI recreation of Holm’s likeness. Unfortunately, the execution left much to be desired, with many viewers finding the digital recreation jarring and subpar compared to the rest of the film.
Speaking with Empire, Álvarez admitted:
“We ran out of time during post-production to achieve the result we wanted. I wasn’t 100% happy with all the shots where the digital effects were noticeable. To those who criticised it, I can’t blame them.”
Blu-ray Release Offers a Second Chance
With Alien: Romulus now preparing for its Blu-ray release in both the United States and France, Álvarez took the opportunity to revisit the contentious CGI scene. Refining visual effects for home releases is a common practice in the industry, and Álvarez ensured the studio provided the necessary resources. In his interview with Empire, he stated that the team had “fixed the problem” and managed to secure additional time and funding to refine the digital recreation.
Fans Remain Unimpressed
Despite the revisions, fan reactions online suggest that not everyone is convinced by the improvements. Comments on social media and forums highlight lingering dissatisfaction with the scene:
- “It’s better now, but it still feels off for no real reason.” – Kwtwo1983
- “The scene remains pointless and distracting.” – Smug_amoeba
- “Both versions look terrible. One’s just darker than the other, lol.” – Worried_Bowl_9489
- “Honestly, it’s still weird and disrespectful to bring back a dead actor unnecessarily.” – TheUrPigeon
The most significant critique revolves around the ethics of digitally recreating deceased actors. While this practice has precedent in Hollywood, it continues to spark heated debates about artistic integrity, respect, and consent.
For Álvarez, the updated effects may represent a step forward, but the controversy surrounding the scene still casts a shadow over the film’s reception. Moving forward, it seems unlikely the director will revisit such a divisive technique in future projects.
