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 significant backlash for its distracting and unrealistic appearance. The poor quality even prompted a popular fan edit removing Holm's character entirely.

Director Fede Alvarez addressed the criticism, acknowledging time constraints during post-production hindered the CGI's refinement. He stated in an Empire interview that the initial release wasn't satisfactory, and he understood the negative reactions.

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For the home release, Alvarez implemented improvements, investing additional resources to enhance the CGI. The revised version incorporates more practical puppetry, reducing the overt CGI presence.

However, fan reactions remain mixed. While acknowledging slight improvements, many still find Holm's appearance distracting, with some questioning the necessity of his inclusion. Reddit discussions highlight this ongoing debate, with comments ranging from "Better, but still awfully uncanny" to criticisms about the overall poor quality of the initial CGI work and the ethical implications of resurrecting a deceased actor.

Alien Romulus - Rook CGI Updates BluRay vs Digital
by u/Davidedby in LV426

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Despite the persistent criticism of the Holm CGI, Alien: Romulus's box office success ($350 million globally) has greenlit a sequel, with Alvarez potentially returning to direct.