January 12th 2025.
In the world of cinema, there are few things as controversial as a CGI face replacement. And in 2024, the highly anticipated film Alien: Romulus caused quite a stir with its use of this technology. However, it seems that the home media release of the movie has addressed this contentious feature.
Directed by Fede Alvarez, Alien: Romulus was the ninth installment in the beloved Alien franchise and was a huge hit at the box office. With a Rotten Tomatoes score of 79%, it quickly became the highest-rated Alien film of the 21st century, praised for its stunning visuals and intense atmosphere. However, amidst all the acclaim, there was one aspect that divided fans - the use of CGI to replace the late actor Sir Ian Holm.
Holm, who famously played the humanoid robot Ash in the original 1979 Alien film, passed away in 2020 at the age of 88. And in a surprising move, his face was digitally placed onto the character of Rook, another android in Alien: Romulus. While the decision was made with the permission of Holm's estate, it still sparked a heated debate among viewers. Many were shocked by the quality of the CGI, with some even calling it "the stuff of nightmares."
Even director Fede Alvarez admitted that there were flaws in the CGI work, telling Empire magazine that they simply ran out of time in post-production to get it right. He also expressed understanding for the backlash from long-time fans of the franchise. But it seems that the criticism has been taken into consideration for the home media release of the film. Fede revealed that they went back and improved the CGI, ensuring that the companies involved had enough time and resources to do it justice.
Sir Ian's passing in 2020 was a great loss to the film industry and fans alike. His agent Alex Irwin confirmed the news in a statement, revealing that the actor had died peacefully in hospital due to complications related to Parkinson's disease. In addition to his iconic role in the Alien franchise, Sir Ian was also known for his portrayal of Bilbo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings films.
An esteemed actor of both stage and screen, Sir Ian was a member of the Royal Shakespeare Company and received numerous accolades throughout his career, including two Baftas and a Tony award. He was knighted by Queen Elizabeth II in 1998 for his contribution to drama, after appearing in countless productions over the course of seven decades. His final on-screen appearance while alive was a cameo in The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies in 2014.
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