Alien: Romulus, a critical and box office success, is already slated for a sequel. However, one element consistently criticized was the CGI depiction of Ian Holm.
Holm, who passed away in 2020, famously portrayed Ash in Ridley Scott's Alien. His controversial CGI reappearance in Alien: Romulus drew heavy criticism for its distracting and unrealistic nature. The effect was so poorly received that a popular fan edit entirely removed his character.
Director Fede Alvarez addressed the issue, stating in an interview with Empire that time constraints during post-production hindered the quality of the CGI. He acknowledged the negative reactions, stating he wasn't entirely satisfied with the result.
Alien Film Timeline
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For the home release, Alvarez confirmed improvements, stating additional funds were allocated to refine the CGI, incorporating more practical puppetry. While some improvement is noted, many viewers still find the depiction distracting, with some questioning the necessity of Holm's inclusion in the film.
A Reddit thread (u/Davidedby in LV426) showcases a comparison, highlighting that the home release utilizes more practical effects, minimizing the overt CGI. However, comments remain largely negative, with users like Kwtwo1983 describing the result as "awfully uncanny," and others questioning the decision to resurrect the character using CGI.
Despite the criticism, Alien: Romulus's box office success ($350 million globally) has greenlit a sequel, with Alvarez potentially returning to direct.
