Rising star Aileen Wu is thrilled and somewhat awestruck to make her feature film debut in this weekend’s highly anticipated “Alien: Romulus.” In a recent interview with CNN, Wu shared her excitement and the surreal experience of stepping into one of Hollywood’s most iconic sci-fi franchises. “It’s a bit unreal,” Wu admitted, reflecting on her involvement in the “Alien” series, which has captivated audiences for over 45 years.
“Alien: Romulus” is set to be the seventh official installment in the legendary franchise that began with Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, “Alien,” featuring Sigourney Weaver. The series is renowned for its chilling xenomorph aliens, known for their acid blood and nightmarish reproduction via facehuggers and chestbursters. Despite various ups and downs, the franchise has consistently delivered memorable, terrifying moments.
Wu praised the practical effects approach taken by director Fede Álvarez in “Romulus,” which deviates from the heavy reliance on CGI often seen in modern films. “We were all really lucky that Fede went all practical with this one,” Wu said. “I didn’t see any green screens or tennis balls. It was just all creatures and monsters, in your face, covered in lube, because they’re all glistening.” This commitment to practical effects aligns with the franchise’s tradition, reminiscent of the legendary scene in the original film where real animal entrails were used for a realistic chestburster effect.
While Wu humbly deflects comparisons to past stars like John Hurt and Sigourney Weaver, she acknowledges the intense experience of working with the film’s realistic monsters. “I definitely had that thing on my face, days on end,” Wu recalled, referring to the facehuggers featured prominently in the film’s marketing and poster. She described her interactions with these creatures as both challenging and unsettling, especially when matched with the intricate breathing effects designed to enhance the horror.
Wu also mentioned the discomfort she felt watching promotional campaigns featuring people with facehuggers at Comic Con and Times Square. “I felt so bad for those people because I can relate,” she said, emphasizing the physically and emotionally demanding nature of her role. The facehuggers were designed with bladders to simulate breathing in unison with their victims, adding a layer of realism to the terror.
Regarding her shaved head, which some might interpret as a tribute to Weaver’s hairstyle in “Alien 3,” Wu clarified that her look is a personal choice made long before “Romulus” was filmed. She revealed that she shaved her head in 2019 to show solidarity with a family member undergoing cancer treatment in China. “I felt so far away and wanted to feel closer to them,” Wu explained. “When they shaved their head, I shaved mine as well. I loved it. It was so easy!”
As for the future, Wu expressed interest in continuing within the sci-fi/horror genre but also mentioned the need for a break. “In the future, but I’m going to take a quick break, hopefully, if the universe allows,” she laughed. “It’s so freeing to play these really intense life-or-death situations. You have no chance to go in your head; it’s a very physical experience.”
“Alien: Romulus” is now showing in theaters, and Wu’s performance is poised to make a significant impact on this iconic series.
