Hey, fellow Alien fans! If you’ve watched Alien: Romulus, you’ve probably noticed some subtle (and not-so-subtle) nods to earlier films in the franchise. These Easter eggs and references are like little gifts for us die-hard fans, reminding us why we fell in love with the Alien universe in the first place.

From the eerie callbacks to Alien (1979) to a digital recreation of Ian Holm’s likeness, Romulus is packed with clever details. So, grab your motion tracker, and let’s dive into the hidden gems that make this film a love letter to the Alien Quadrilogy and beyond.

1. The CGI Recreation of Ian Holm as Rook

Let’s start with the big one—Rook. If you caught yourself doing a double take when this character appeared, you’re not alone. Romulus uses CGI to recreate the likeness of Ian Holm, who famously played Ash, the creepy synthetic from the original Alien. This time, the character isn’t Ash but Rook, another synthetic model from Weyland-Yutani.

The attention to detail here is mind-blowing. From the slight twitch in his facial expressions to the almost mechanical way he speaks, Rook feels like a direct callback to Ash. It’s a clever way to honor Holm’s legacy while adding a new layer to the synthetic-human dynamic that has always been a cornerstone of the franchise.

And here’s the kicker: Rook’s dialogue is full of subtle nods to Ash’s chilling lines from Alien. Remember Ash’s infamous “perfect organism” speech? Rook echoes that sentiment in a slightly warped way, almost as if the company has tried to "perfect" their synthetics’ obsession with the xenomorph.

2. The Derelict Spacecraft: A Familiar Design

When the colonists on Romulus IX stumble upon that mysterious derelict spacecraft, you probably felt a wave of nostalgia. Its design is unmistakably similar to the one we first saw in Alien—the ship where the crew of the Nostromo found the xenomorph eggs. The curved, almost organic architecture screams Engineer tech, connecting Romulus to the broader lore established in Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.

But here’s the twist: the interior of this ship includes details that seem specific to the xenomorph lifecycle. There are etched patterns on the walls resembling facehugger shapes, and the egg chamber has been slightly modified, suggesting that this ship was repurposed—or perhaps even adapted—for xenomorph breeding. It’s like the filmmakers are saying, “You know this ship, but there’s more to it than you think.”

3. Weyland-Yutani’s Dirty Work

Ah, Weyland-Yutani—the gift that keeps on giving. If you’ve been paying attention, you’ll notice that their fingerprints are all over Romulus. The scheming corporation has always been the puppet master behind the chaos in the Alien universe, and this film takes their meddling to new heights.

There’s a particular scene where Dr. Maeve Carter finds a hidden database, and the interface looks eerily similar to the one Ripley used in Aliens. The green text, the clunky UI—it’s a straight-up throwback to the tech aesthetics of the original films. The database even references “Project BioGenesis,” which ties into the genetic manipulation experiments hinted at in Alien: Resurrection.

If you freeze-frame on certain parts of the database, you’ll spot references to key locations and events in the Alien timeline, like LV-426 and Fiorina 161. It’s a small detail, but it helps ground Romulus in the established lore.

4. Subtle Soundtrack Cues

Here’s one for the music buffs. The soundtrack of Romulus includes subtle nods to Jerry Goldsmith’s iconic score from Alien (1979). In key moments—like when the derelict spacecraft is first discovered—you’ll hear echoes of that eerie, haunting theme that played when the Nostromo crew approached the original derelict.

Even better, there’s a reimagined version of the pulse-pounding action cue from Aliens during a climactic battle scene. It’s not an exact copy, but the rhythm and intensity are so familiar that it feels like the film is winking at fans of James Cameron’s masterpiece.

5. Ripley’s Legacy Lives On

Let’s be honest—no one can replace Ellen Ripley. But Romulus doesn’t try to. Instead, it pays homage to Ripley in subtle ways that make her presence felt without overshadowing the new characters.

For example, Dr. Maeve Carter’s wardrobe in certain scenes mirrors Ripley’s utilitarian style. The simple tank top and cargo pants combo is an unmistakable nod to Ripley’s iconic look from Aliens. But it’s not just about the clothes—Maeve’s character arc, which revolves around resilience and confronting her past, feels like a spiritual continuation of Ripley’s journey.

There’s even a brief moment where Maeve stumbles upon a crate labeled “Ripley Model IX.” It’s never explained, but fans have speculated it could be a reference to the cloning experiments from Alien: Resurrection. Is Maeve somehow connected to those experiments? The film leaves it open-ended, inviting us to speculate.

So, Director Fede Álvarez's Vision for Alien: Romulus becomes pretty apparent.

6. The New Xenomorph’s Familiar Traits

By now, you’ve probably noticed that the xenomorph in Romulus isn’t exactly the same as the ones we’ve seen before. This new variant is faster, smarter, and even more terrifying. But if you look closely, you’ll spot traits that harken back to earlier iterations of the creature.

For example, its elongated skull and biomechanical design are straight out of H.R. Giger’s original concept for the xenomorph. At the same time, its agility and pack-hunting behavior feel reminiscent of the “Runner” alien from Alien 3. It’s like the filmmakers cherry-picked the most terrifying traits from past films and fused them into a new nightmare.

7. Blink-and-You’ll-Miss-It Easter Eggs

Let’s end with a few fun ones for the eagle-eyed viewers:

• Kane’s Son: In one scene, a colonist refers to the xenomorph as “Kane’s son,” echoing the nickname used in Alien for the chestburster that killed John Hurt’s character.
• Loader Cameo: A broken-down power loader can be seen in the background of a storage facility. It’s not functional, but it’s a clear nod to Ripley’s epic battle in Aliens.
• Fiorina 161 Callout: One of the colonists has a tattoo with the numbers “161.” It’s a subtle reference to the prison planet from Alien 3.
• “Perfect Organism”: Rook’s admiration for the xenomorph includes the phrase “a flawless being,” a rephrasing of Ash’s infamous “perfect organism” line.

Why These Easter Eggs Matter

So, why do Easter eggs like these matter? Because they’re not just fan service—they’re part of what makes the Alien franchise so immersive. They remind us that this universe is interconnected, that every new film is part of a larger story. And let’s be real—half the fun of watching an Alien movie is dissecting it for these little details.

Final Thoughts

Alien: Romulus is more than just a great addition to the franchise—it’s a treasure trove of Easter eggs and references that reward longtime fans. From the CGI recreation of Ian Holm’s likeness to subtle nods in the soundtrack and set design, this film is packed with moments that will have you hitting pause just to soak it all in.

So, next time you watch Romulus, keep your eyes peeled and your ears open. Who knows what other hidden gems you might discover? And don’t forget to share your favorite Easter eggs with the rest of us Alien enthusiasts—we’re all in this together!