Alien: Romulus 'Fixed' Terrible Ian Holm CGI for Home Release but Fans Still Think It’s Pretty Bad

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 the android Ash in Ridley Scott's Alien. His controversial CGI return in Alien: Romulus drew widespread criticism for being distracting and unrealistic, prompting a popular fan edit to completely remove his character.

Director Fede Alvarez addressed the issue, acknowledging time constraints in post-production led to imperfections in the theatrical release. He stated to Empire magazine that improvements were made for the home release, shifting towards more practical puppetry and refining the CGI.

Alien Film Timeline

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Alvarez confirmed the home release features significant improvements, allocating additional resources to refine the CGI and enhance the puppetry. Despite these enhancements, fan reactions remain mixed. While some acknowledge slight improvements, many still find the portrayal distracting and question the necessity of Holm's inclusion.

Reddit discussions highlight this ongoing debate. Comments range from noting a subtle improvement but persistent unnaturalness, to outright condemnation of the decision to use CGI for Holm's character.

Alien Romulus - Rook CGI Updates BluRay vs Digital
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The consensus is that the home release utilizes more practical effects, minimizing the overt CGI, but the overall result is still considered by many to be unsatisfactory.

Despite the controversy surrounding Holm's portrayal, Alien: Romulus achieved considerable box office success, grossing $350 million globally. A sequel, Alien: Romulus 2, is currently under consideration by 20th Century Studios, with Alvarez potentially returning to direct.