FILM & CULTURE / SEP 2024
Public Relation: imPRint
BREAKING BOUNDARIES, ONE FEAR AT A TIME
Aileen Wu ventures into the chilling depths of the Alien franchise with her role as Navarro in Alien: Romulus. Building on the groundbreaking work of Ridley Scott’s 1979 classic, which redefined sci-fi horror with its claustrophobic suspense and iconic xenomorph, Alien: Romulus continues to explore the franchise’s core themes while introducing new characters and settings. Aileen’s role in this new chapter bridges the original film’s legacy with modern storytelling, offering a fresh perspective while paying homage to the terrifying elements that made Alien a cinematic landmark. As we delve into Aileen’s experiences on set, we’ll uncover how this latest installment expands on the themes of fear and survival, and gain insight into her journey through this legendary universe.
Music & Culture - Spotlight
David Gargiulo __ How does it feel to be part of such an iconic franchise like Alien?
Aileen Wu __ It’s incredibly exciting to be involved in such an iconic franchise. What I find fascinating is that Alien appeals to such a diverse audience. While the first two installments changed cinematic history and are often considered the best, there’s something for everyone in the series. For example, my husband is a huge fan of the Alien vs. Predator films. Personally, I have a soft spot for Alien Resurrection and Prometheus. It’s amazing how the franchise continues to evolve and resonate with different tastes.
DG __ What was your first reaction when you found out you had the role of Navarro in Alien: Romulus?
AW __ It was 8 AM when I got the call; I was still half-asleep. My manager, Helen, told me, “We’ve got the official offer from the studio. They’ve sent over the contract; you’re going to be in the next Alien movie.” Honestly, it was such an iconic way to wake up—it’s going to be hard to top that moment. After hanging up, I started hyperventilating and immediately called my mother, and she started crying, and then I started crying. And the next thing I knew, I was dancing and belting along to Someone in the Crowd from La La Land in my living room. It felt like I had truly met my “someone in the crowd,” you know?
DG __ Alien: Romulus features some of the most terrifying creatures in sci-fi history. Did you have any nightmares about xenomorphs while filming?
AW __ Oh, many nightmares featuring all sorts of monsters. I had several dreams during filming where a menacing presence was lurking in the shadows, hunting me. In these dreams, I was always on-set, either struggling to remember my lines, hit my marks, or avoid messing up the blocking. The stress of the scenes was already intense, and the presence of the creatures made it even more unnerving.
DG __ You’ve trained at NYU Tisch, Stella Adler Studio. How did your acting education prepare you for a role in a sci-fi horror film?
AW __ Stella Adler’s training was incredibly valuable for this role. The approach emphasizes connecting your imagination to your physical body and living truthfully in imaginary circumstances. We spent a lot of time on classical stage text, and about 50% of our class hours were dedicated to voice, speech, and movement. There was a strong focus on sustaining intense performances. After four years of training, I found that my body and voice were well-prepared for the demands of a sci-fi horror film. I was able to scream and perform take after take without my voice or body giving out, and I could come back the next day ready to dive back into it.
DG __ Filming in space settings can be intense. What’s one behind-the-scenes moment from Alien: Romulus that you’ll never forget?
AW __ One unforgettable moment involved my character Navarro, who’s a pilot of sorts—more like a glorified pilot, as she flies a spaceship akin to a tractor hauler. Fede [Alvarez], our director, had the cockpit of the ship mounted on a six-cylinder hydraulic rig, so we were elevated two stories up, and the rig could simulate the movements of a flying ship. They even brought
in a real airplane pilot to help me with the technical vocabulary in my lines and practice the take-off sequence. When we put it all together on set, it truly felt like I was actually flying a spaceship.
DG __ Working with a cast of up-and-coming actors must be exciting. How did you and your co-stars bond during the production?
AW __ We had the best kind of bonding—karaoke! We also did some dancing. At one point, a foosball table appeared right outside our cast tent, which I think was brought in by one of the producers. It became a great way to have some fun and engage in friendly competition.
DG __ Alien: Romulus reinterprets some iconic scenes from the franchise. What’s your favorite scene in the film, and why?
AW __ When Spike Fern’s character, Bjorn, approaches Isabela Merced’s character, Kay, from behind, covers her mouth and whispers, “Shhhhh.” Isy’s [Isabela] performance captures maximum fear, with her eyes full of tears, while Spike’s silent intensity conveys his determination to get them out safely. It’s a small moment but incredibly moving because it highlights the deep emotional stakes of a life-or-death situation. It underscores the pain of seeing someone you care about in such peril and makes you wish they could be spared from the danger, even if it means facing it alone.
DG __ In space, no one can hear you scream. But if you could scream any phrase or quote during a scene, what would it be?
AW __ There’s sumthin’ in the woh’ah
DG __ Now that you’ve faced xenomorphs, what’s next on your acting bucket list? Are there any dream roles or genres you’d love to explore?
AW __ My dream role is to play an evil Imperial Officer on the new season of Andor, who wants to shut down all rebel activities by any means necessary.
Photographer Raul Romo, Interview David Gargiulo, Talent Aileen Wu, Public Relation imPRint