Exploring the depths of ‘Alien: Romulus’
SPOILER ALERT: This article delves into key plot points, including the ending of Alien: Romulus, currently in theaters.
A tribute to the ‘Alien’ legacy
When Fede Álvarez embarked on the journey to create Alien: Romulus, he was determined to pay homage to the entire Alien franchise. His vision was not just to honor the iconic Alien and Aliens films but to embrace the entire mythology. ”We have to embrace them all,” Álvarez passionately declared.
Resurrecting a familiar face
A significant part of Romulus revolves around a character who met his end in the original movie: Ash, the synthetic human portrayed by the late Ian Holm. Holm’s chilling performance as Ash, the obedient android serving the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, left an indelible mark on the franchise. Despite the expansions of android characters like Bishop (Lance Henriksen) and David (Michael Fassbender) in subsequent films, Álvarez felt it was time to bring Holm’s legacy back into the spotlight.
“It was out of fairness,” Álvarez explained. “Lance Henriksen and Michael Fassbender had multiple appearances, but Ian Holm never returned. It felt crazy.”
Practical effects and animatronics
Álvarez’s commitment to practical effects led to the creation of an animatronic character resembling Ian Holm. This character interacts with a group of young colonists on a scavenger mission aboard a derelict space station. The need for an authoritative figure to explain the station’s abandonment paved the way for discussions about an android from Ash’s generation.
“Ridley and I came up with the idea of an android with Ian Holm’s likeness,” Álvarez said. “It’s not Ian Holm or Ash, but it shares the same likeness.”
Before proceeding, Álvarez sought the blessing of Holm’s family. “I personally called his widow, family, and kids to ensure everyone was on board,” he shared. Holm’s widow revealed that Ian felt Hollywood had turned a cold shoulder to him in his later years, and he would have loved to be part of the Alien franchise again.
The challenges of animatronics
While Álvarez enjoyed bringing Holm’s likeness back to the screen, he emphasized the logistical challenges. “People think animatronics will replace actors, but it requires hiring 45 people and still needing an actor for the performance,” he noted.
Connecting the dots
Bringing back an Ash-like character was a no-brainer for Álvarez. The original Alien is a masterpiece, known frame by frame by fans. However, a climactic sequence in Romulus further connects the film to other, less well-liked chapters of the franchise.
In this sequence, Kay (Isabela Merced) gives birth to a hybrid of human and alien DNA. This creature, dubbed “the offspring,” resembles the Engineers, the alien race that conceived humankind. It also echoes the humanoid xenomorph from Alien Resurrection.
Surprisingly, Álvarez hadn’t initially made this connection. “My son pointed it out at the premiere,” he said. “He recently watched all the Alien movies and noticed the resemblance to Resurrection.”
The black goo and its implications
Álvarez was more focused on the mythology of Ridley Scott’s prequels, Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. These films explore the genetic building blocks of humans and aliens. “The black goo is the root of all life, including xenomorphs,” Álvarez explained. “It’s like their semen. If it affects your DNA, it made sense that the offspring of a human and a xenomorph would look like that.”
Raising more questions
Álvarez admits that the resulting life form raises more questions than answers. “It’s probably a new species because that mix never happened before,” he said.
Final thoughts
Alien: Romulus is a testament to Fede Álvarez’s dedication to the Alien franchise. By resurrecting Ian Holm’s likeness and exploring the intricate mythology, Álvarez has created a film that both honors and expands the Alien universe. For fans of the franchise, Romulus offers a thrilling and thought-provoking addition to the saga.
For more information and to watch the trailer, visit Alien: Romulus.
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