Alien Romulus' Most Controversial Element Has Now Been Fixed In The Home Release, Reveals Director

Alien: Romulus director Fede Alvarez reveals that one controversial element of the movie has been fixed for the home release versions. Hitting theaters last August, the seventh installment in the Alien franchise stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and Isabela Merced, among others, as a young crew who encounters a Xenomorph while aboard a derelict space station. Though the Alien: Romulus reviews were generally quite positive, the inclusion of the late Ian Holm via CGI and animatronics was divisive, in part due to the effect ultimately not looking very convincing.

During a recent interview with Empire, Alvarez confirms that Rook, the synthetic that Holm appeared as in Alien: Romulus, has been touched up and improved for the home release versions of the movie. According to the director, he wasn't entirely satisfied with how the effect looked in the movie, but there ultimately wasn't enough time to fix it before release.

Alvarez explains that “a mix of techniques” was used to bring Rook to life, including a practical animatronic and digital effects. As production progressed, it was decided that Rook be more digital, but the filmmaker reveals that the version of Rook in the home entertainment versions feature much more of the animatronic. Check out Alvarez's comment below:

“We just ran out of time in post-production to get it right. I wasn’t 100 per cent 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.
“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. [Animatronic puppeteer] Shane Mahan actually did this animatronic of Ian Holm based on a head cast from Lord Of The Rings, and that was the only one in existence. What we did [for the home entertainment version] was revert a lot more to the puppet. It’s way better.”

In addition to playing Ash in Alien (1979), Holm is well known for his role as Bilbo Baggins in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

What The Rook Changes Mean For Alien: Romulus' Home Release

Why The Character's Inclusion Was Controversial

Holm passed away in 2020, but his family gave Alvarez their blessing to include the late actor's likeness in the movie as Rook, a villainous science officer that the Alien: Romulus cast of characters encounter while exploring the Renaissance space station. In addition to featuring some questionable CGI, the inclusion of Holm's likeness was widely criticized for feeling like an unnecessary bit of fan service. Rook, after all, is an entirely new character, and he could have been played by anyone.

Alvarez's fixes to the Rook scenes are unlikely to sway those who feel the inclusion of Holm's likeness takes away from the story. Purely from a visual standpoint, however, the scenes are an improvement. The lighting has been adjusted in some scenes and the movements of Rook's mouth look more natural. Even before the changes, Alien: Romulus was a success both critically and commercially, but the changes will be sure to make it a title that is easier to revisit in the years ahead.

Alien: Romulus grossed $350 million worldwide at the box office and has a 79% on Rotten Tomatoes.

Our Take On Alvarez's Rook Changes In Alien: Romulus

The Updates Are A Welcome Improvement

Alvarez didn't have to go back and fix the Rook scenes in Alien: Romulus, but doing so shows a level of care and attention that is worth celebrating. Carrying out these changes would also have taken a not-insignificant investment from the studio, speaking to their commitment to the movie and Alvarez's vision.

There's a strong argument to be made that Holm's likeness shouldn't have been included in the movie at all and that it is ultimately more distracting than beneficial to the story. But since the character can't be removed entirely, these post-production changes are the best audiences could have hoped for. With an Alien: Romulus sequel in development, it's looking like Alvarez will be returning to the franchise, and rewatching his debut installment in the saga will now be even more enjoyable.

Source: Empire