Alien: Romulus Director Defends AI Version of Deceased Actor After Fan Backlash
The following article contains spoilers for Alien: Romulus, continue reading at your own risk
The film “Alien: Romulus” has stirred controversy among fans over the use of AI to recreate the likeness of the late actor Ian Holm. Known for his iconic roles in the original 1979 “Alien” and as Bilbo Baggins in “The Lord of the Rings” films, Holm passed away in 2020 at the age of 88.
In Alien: Romulus, a humanoid android named Rook bears his likeness, sparking mixed reactions from fans.
Director’s Defense
Director Fede Alvarez confirmed to the Los Angeles Times that AI technology was used to recreate Holm’s appearance, stating that the intent was not to replicate Holm’s acting talent but to create a new character that shares his likeness. “We were not trying to do what can’t be done, which is to reproduce that person’s talent as an actor because this is another character,” Alvarez explained.
He went on to state, “The only thing they have in common is the likeness.” Fans, however, were quick to express their disapproval on social media. One user on X criticized, “The fake Ian Holm in ‘Romulus’ may be a cynical attempt at using a dead man’s face and voice for the sake of nostalgia, but at least it also looks terrible.”
Another fan commented, “Once they showed the dead CGI face I was completely taken out of it. Let the man rest.”
Family’s Support
Despite the backlash, Alvarez emphasized that the process was handled with respect and the approval of Holm’s family. “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,’”
Alvarez said. He noted that Holm’s widow, Sophie de Stempel, felt the actor would have appreciated being part of the project, especially since he loved the “Alien” character.
How was it done?
To bring Holm’s likeness to the screen, the production used an animatronic model and puppeteering on set, with British actor Daniel Betts performing lines and facial capture. Betts’ voice was later modified using generative AI and computer modeling to resemble Holm’s voice, as detailed by Alvarez.
He clarified that the use of AI was not intended to replace actors but was specific to this film’s creative direction. “It’s so much more expensive to do it the way we did it; it’s much cheaper to just hire an actor,” Alvarez noted. “Doing it this way requires a team of so many people and so many parts to get it done that it’s never going to be really convenient.”
The controversy over using Holm’s likeness coincides with new legislative developments in California regarding the use of AI for digital replicas of performers. The California state Senate recently passed AB 1836, which restricts the use of AI to create digital replicas of deceased performers without the consent of their estates, and AB 2602, which enhances consent requirements for living performers.
Both bills are awaiting Governor Gavin Newsom’s approval.
SAG’s Views
SAG-AFTRA, the actors’ guild, has been a vocal supporter of these bills. Thus far, they’ve been advocating for explicit consent to protect performers’ likenesses. “Both of these bills have been a legislative priority for the union on behalf of our membership and beyond, making explicit consent in California mandatory,” the union stated.
The guild is also backing the No Fakes Act, a federal bill recently reintroduced in Congress. Duncan Crabtree-Ireland, SAG-AFTRA’s National Executive Director, stressed the importance of the legislation, stating, “[F]rom our point of view, this is absolutely crucial. The timing is now, and it’s desperately needed.”
The ongoing debate highlights the broader implications of AI in the entertainment industry, not only raising ethical questions about the use of deceased actors’ likenesses but also the need for clear legal frameworks to protect their legacy.
Originally posted on OpenDataScience.com
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