Alien: Romulus, a critical and commercial success, has already spurred a sequel. However, one aspect universally criticized was the CGI depiction of Ian Holm.
Holm, who passed away in 2020, famously portrayed the android Ash in Ridley Scott's Alien. His controversial CGI return in Alien: Romulus drew widespread criticism for being distracting and unrealistic, leading to a popular fan edit removing his character entirely.
Director Fede Alvarez addressed the issue, acknowledging time constraints in post-production prevented perfecting the CGI. He stated to Empire magazine that the home release features improvements.
Alien Film Timeline
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Alvarez confirmed that the home release utilizes more practical effects, reducing CGI reliance. While some fans noted a slight improvement, many still find Holm's appearance distracting, questioning the necessity of his inclusion.
A Reddit thread (u/Davidedby in LV426) showcases comparisons, highlighting the home release's altered shots emphasizing practical puppetry and less prominent CGI. Comments ranged from noting subtle improvements to outright condemnation of the decision to use Holm's likeness.
Despite the criticism, Alien: Romulus's box office success ($350 million globally) and 20th Century Studios' announcement of Alien: Romulus 2 demonstrate the franchise's continued viability, with Alvarez potentially returning to direct.