*Alien: Romulus* has been a resounding success, captivating both critics and fans alike, and its impressive box office haul has paved the way for a sequel. However, one aspect of the film received widespread criticism: the CGI used to bring back the late Ian Holm, who played the iconic android Ash in Ridley Scott's original *Alien*. Holm's digital resurrection in *Alien: Romulus* was met with disapproval for its distracting and unrealistic appearance, leading some fans to create edits that removed his character entirely.
Director Fede Alvarez acknowledged the issue in an interview with Empire, stating, "We just ran out of time in post-production to get it right. I wasn’t 100% happy with some of the shots, where you could feel a bit more the CG intervention. So, for people that react negatively, I don’t blame them." In response to the backlash, Alvarez took steps to improve the CGI for the home release of *Alien: Romulus*. He explained, "We fixed it. We made it better for the release right now. I convinced the studio we need to spend the money and make sure we give the companies that were involved in making it the proper time to finish it and do it right. It’s so much better."
The Alien Movies in Chronological Order
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For the home release, the approach shifted towards more practical puppet work, reducing the reliance on CGI. Despite these efforts, fans remain divided on the effectiveness of the changes. While some acknowledge a slight improvement, many still find Holm's appearance distracting and question the necessity of his return. On Reddit, user Kwtwo1983 remarked, "Better, but still awfully uncanny… and for no sound reason." Thelastcupoftea added, "Should’ve messed his face up much more," while Smug_amoeba commented, "Still such a needless and distracting part of the movie…" Worried_Bowl_9489 noted, "Both look bad and one is a bit darker lol."
The comparison between the theatrical and home release versions shows a more subdued CGI presence, with greater emphasis on the practical puppet. However, TheUrPigeon expressed a strong sentiment, saying, "Let's be real, it's still awful and garish to resurrect a dead man so needlessly. They can only improve upon it so much because the initial effort was so poor."
Despite the CGI controversy, *Alien: Romulus* successfully revitalized the franchise, grossing an impressive $350 million globally upon its summer release. The film's success has led 20th Century Studios to announce plans for *Alien: Romulus 2*, which will continue the story from the first movie, with Fede Alvarez potentially returning to direct.
