Alien: Romulus star reveals late, great franchise legend was biggest inspiration

As a devoted fan of both the Alien franchise and British acting talent, I find it utterly captivating to witness young stars like Spike Fearn and Archie Renaux venturing into such hallowed grounds. Their choices of inspirations are particularly intriguing – Fearn’s connection with the late, great John Hurt, and Renaux’s pursuit of capturing the essence of the original ensemble.


The young performers Spike Fearn and Archie Renaux hail from Britain, and they’re stepping into esteemed company by taking on roles in the upcoming movie Alien: Romulus. This film series has been graced with numerous stellar performances from some of the most talented actors Hollywood has ever produced.

Furthermore, Fearn disclosed that he had a special interest in a specific celestial body that had passed – this fascination was partly fueled by a personal bond.

“I don’t know exactly for my character, but John Hurt for me,” he explained.

As a fellow Midlander hailing from England, I found a significant influence in him. Indeed, his remarkable career was truly inspiring to me.

“It seems I recall both his father and mine having worked in Woodville for extended periods. Given that association, I’m confidently identifying with John Hurt.”

Alien: Romulus star reveals late, great franchise legend was biggest inspiration

Absolutely, any die-hard Alien enthusiast would recognize John Hurt’s significant role in the franchise’s lore. He was the pioneer among us, the first character to encounter a facehugger, and later, the unforgettable victim of the chestbursting scene that kicked off the epic saga in the original movie.

According to Fearn’s mention, Hurt had a remarkably impactful career before passing away at 77 in 2017. Among other notable roles, he appeared in films like The Naked Civil Servant, Midnight Express, The Elephant Man, and Nineteen Eighty-Four. Notably, he portrayed The War Doctor on Doctor Who.

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Speaking for himself, Renaux expressed that although he didn’t have a specific individual to model after from the originals, he aimed to convey the essence of the ensembles seen in the initial movies within the series, as he and his fellow actors worked on their performances.

He mentioned that there wasn’t a particular person he was thinking of, but he felt as though he was picking up that similar atmosphere from the classic Alien movies. The way they portrayed camaraderie and their natural interactions with each other, especially when they wake up from cryo-sleep and are casually eating and conversing, reminded him of those scenes.

“In my opinion, it played a significant role in establishing the atmosphere. Later, we aimed to personalize it, giving it a unique touch while still preserving its core.”

Alien: Romulus is out now in cinemas.

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2024-08-16 16:34