Film fans have been left furious after late actor Ian Holm appeared in the latest Alien movie with crew recreating his likeness using AI.
Ian tragically passed away at the age of 88 from Parkinson’s Disease in 2020.
Prior to his death, the actor had become known as a Hollywood heavyweight after his work on the Alien franchise as well as a slew of other hit films such as The Lord of the Rings and Ratatouille.
On August 16, film buffs flocked to movie theaters to watch the latest installment, Alien: Romulus, and spotted Ian recreated as AI. The movie, which sees scavengers breaking into a space station to steal supplies, stars Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson and AI Ian who portrays a half-melted robot.
And although the film dethroned Deadpool & Wolverine from the number-one box office spot by bringing in $41.5 million, movie lovers took to social media to express their frustrations with the AI recreation of Ian.
Film fans have been left furious after late actor Ian Holm (seen in the 1979 Alien film) appeared in the latest Alien movie as crew recreated his likeness using AI
When the scavengers break into the station, they must fight for their lives.
It is then that they discover the robot that is an AI-recreation of Ian and is a nod to his character in the initial film.
And the AI version of Ian wasn’t just present in one scene, he was in a slew of shots.
Although the director, Fede Álvarez, received approval from Ian’s family to use the AI version of him in the film, movie lovers were still furious by the use.
One person said: ‘CGI AI deep fake Ian Holm is one of the worst f***in things I’ve ever seen in my life dawg (sic).’
Another user wrote: ‘Guys the problem isn’t AI. The problem is that Ian Holm passed away and couldn’t agree for his face to be used in the movie. Whether it’s generative AI or CGI or an animatronic, that’s clearly still Ian’s face and supposedly his presence in the film. It’s unacceptable.’
‘AI is also a problem,’ a third person chimed in.
Someone else added: ‘Yeah while the AI is its own problem, the lack of possible consent and turning the deads likeness into a commodity is f***ing gross.’
Prior to his death, the actor had become known as a Hollywood heavyweight after his work on the Alien franchise as well as a slew of other hit films (seen in the 1979 Alien film)
Although the director, Fede Álvarez, received approval from Ian’s family to use the AI version of him in the film, movie lovers were still furious by the use
The director responded to the backlash during an interview with the Los Angeles Times.
He said: ‘In the last 10 years after The Hobbit, Ian felt like Hollywood had turned its back on him and his widow felt he would have loved to be a part of this. He loved this character in particular.
‘We did it all with a lot of respect and always with the authorization of his family, his children and his widow, who said, “We would love to see his likeness again.”‘
Ian was born in 1931 in a psychiatric hospital in Goodmayes, Essex. He was married four times, including to Downton Abbey actress Penelope Wilton, who he wed in 1991 and divorced 10 years later.
Widely considered one of the greatest British actors, Ian was a favorite among critics, the public and his fellow actors.
His presence was coveted by directors, and he worked alongside Martin Scorsese, Stanley Tucci, David Cronenberg and Woody Allen to name just a few.
Across more than 100 roles in films, television and on stage, he secured a Laurence Olivier award, a Tony and a BAFTA, and was a member of the prestigious Royal Shakespeare Company.
Ian was born in 1931 in Essex. He was married four times, including to Downton Abbey actress Penelope Wilton, who he wed in 1991 and divorced 10 years later
Alien: Romulus is the seventh installment in the cult-favorite sci-fi franchise, which kicked off with Ridley Scott original Alien in 1979 (Ian seen during the 1979 film)
His various dalliances led him to be dubbed the ‘Lord of the Flings’ by the tabloid press.
Alien: Romulus is the seventh installment in the cult-favorite sci-fi franchise, which kicked off with Ridley Scott’s original Alien in 1979.
Starring Cailee Spaeny, the latest film takes place in the same general era as the first one, in the year 2142,
But the plot is meant to stand on its own as it follows a group of young people on the space station Renaissance who encounter ‘the most terrifying life form in the universe.’
This isn’t the first time the latest film has sparked controversy, just last week, fans seeing the latest installment of the Alien franchise at the full-service movie theater Alamo Drafthouse expressed their disgust at the themed menu – and did not hold back in venting about it on social media.
Alamo Drafthouse is known for its seat-side food and beverage service with the chain switching up the offerings based on the film being shown.
For Alien: Romulus, many were quick to note that the menu items seemed concerningly explosive for movie-theater fare.
Revealed by one X user who tweeted an image of the menu, food offerings included the likes of the Escape Hatch Queso, Facehugger Fries, and a ‘Xenoburger.’
