Romulus Returns the Original Actor in Alien: Why I Now Feel Better About It

Upon learning that “Alien: Romulus” will be including one of the original cast members from the 1979 film “Alien,” I became concerned. It originally appeared to be just another ploy to capitalize on the nostalgia for old movies. While “Alien: Romulus” centers on a different cast of individuals, it nevertheless happens in the same universe and during the same time period as “Alien” and “Aliens.” Although I was aware that there was a chance some of the original cast members may return, I was taken aback by “Alien: Romulus”‘ decision to do so. I was first opposed to the notion, but now that I know more, I’m on board.

In “Alien: Romulus,” the new protagonists break into an abandoned Weyland-Yutani space lab with the intention of stealing some cryosleep tanks. They discover a dead synthetic there, a robot by the name of Rook. Rook bears a striking resemblance to Ian Holm’s character Ash from the first “Alien” film. The appearance of Ian Holm was replicated by the filmmakers using CGI and AI technologies. I didn’t like the concept of utilizing computers to bring deceased actors back to life, so at first, this unnerved me. However, after finding out more about their motivations, my opinion evolved.

Why Ian Holm’s Family Approved the Decision

The director of “Alien: Romulus,” Fede Álvarez, has discussed the rationale behind the usage of Ian Holm’s likeness. He wished to recognize Holm’s input with the “Alien” film series. Álvarez sought approval from Ian Holm’s family, which included his widow and kids, before making the choice. The family was pleased with the homage to Holm’s persona and thought the notion was good. This convinced me that the producers weren’t merely attempting to revive Holm’s reputation for nostalgic purposes. They truly desired to do tribute to his legacy.

Honoring Ian Holm’s History with the Franchise

Fede Álvarez was not interested in restoring Ian Holm’s likeness merely to appease supporters. Rather, he wished to honor Holm’s significant contribution to the first “Alien” film. Álvarez observed that other performers, such as Lance Henriksen and Michael Fassbender, portrayed several iterations of the same artificial characters in multiple “Alien” films. Even though he lived through many of the sequels, Ian Holm only had one performance as Ash. Álvarez wanted to bring Holm back, even if it meant doing it in a different capacity, since he believed he should be given the same credit as the other performers.

A Different Character, Not Just a Copy of Ash

The fact that Ian Holm wasn’t only brought back to reprise his role as Ash in “Alien: Romulus” is another factor in my decision-making process. Rather, they developed a brand-new character called Rook, who resembles Ash but is not quite the same. Weyland-Yutani created both Ash and Rook, two synthetic robots, yet they have distinct personalities and duties. Although Rook is under the same Mother system control as Ash, he has a distinct goal and mindset. In this sense, any behavioral variations between them can be attributed to their distinct programming rather than the fact that the filmmakers were unable to accurately capture Holm’s performance.

In summary

Initially, I was concerned that “Alien: Romulus” might use computer-generated imagery to revive Ian Holm’s likeness, given that he passed away in 2020. It felt like a ploy to manipulate the feelings of the fans. However, I started to see it differently after finding out more about how the directors spoke with Holm’s family and wanted to pay tribute to his performance in the first “Alien” movie. Instead of just mimicking Ash, they developed a new character, Rook, to further the plot in honor of Holm’s contribution to the franchise. I’m glad I made the choice and am looking forward to seeing how “Alien: Romulus” honors Ian Holm because of this considerate approach.

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