Actors Faced Off Against 'Real' Alien Creatures in Romulus

During the production of Alien: Romulus, actress Cailee Spaeny found herself frequently interacting with lifelike animatronic and puppet creatures. Director Fede Alvarez, known for his work in horror films such as Evil Dead and Don't Breathe, emphasized practical effects to create a sense of realism. Spaeny highlighted the advantages of this approach, stating, "From an acting standpoint, it's such a gift because you're not having to act against a tennis ball, so it's right there. There's less work you have to do."

The effort to maintain authentic effects extended to the entire filmmaking process. Speaking about the practical effects, Álvarez commented, "It needed that kind of close encounter feeling of seeing that the actors are in the same environment with whatever's the threat." This dedication resulted in a compelling experience for those attending the Comic-Con International preview. Over 6,000 attendees responded with gasps and cheers to the clips and extended scenes, which Álvarez said he edited deceptively to prevent spoilers ahead of the film hitting theaters Aug. 16.

Álvarez assembled a skilled team of filmmakers, including veterans from previous Alien movies and special effects artists from Stan Winston's team. This collaboration heightened the production's quality. Álvarez also cast fresh faces to ensure that Romulus, although positioned between Alien and Aliens, stands as a distinct narrative. Reflecting on the project's impact, Álvarez noted, "To watch the movie that you made with an audience that is enjoying it is the biggest gift you can get." (This story was generated by Newser's AI chatbot. Source: the AP)