Aliens Special Effects Master on How Making Xenomorphs and Chestbursters Has Changed

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Prior to airing Shout! TV’s latest installment of Double Take, showcasing a double bill in honor of Roger Corman’s birthday, special effects expert Alec Gillis shared insights on the evolution of designing Xenomorphs and Chestbursters over the years.

Gillis has been a part of the special effects team for several movies in the Alien series, such as Aliens (1986), Alien 3 (1992), Alien Resurrection (1997), Alien vs. Predator (2004), Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007), and more recently, Alien: Romulus (2024).

On April 5, 2025, Gillis will be hosting a fresh episode of Double Take on Shout! TV, in celebration of Corman’s (known for The Little Shop of Horrors and It Conquered the World) birthday. For additional details, head over to Shout! TV’s website by clicking here.

ComingSoon posed a question to Gillis about the evolution of monster creation in the Alien films, specifically comparing the methods used during the production of Aliens and Alien: Romulus.

Gillis explained that the method for designing Xenomorph creatures has evolved significantly since the 80s, as you might expect given digital advancements. Nowadays, a lot of sculpting is done digitally, which accelerates the process and provides more exact results. It also enables simultaneous building processes; for example, a mechanical designer could create the interior of a Chestburster before the final design has been decided upon. Though the details may not be fully settled yet, this approach allows for greater flexibility in the design process.

In simpler terms, we’re combining digital technology with materials, particularly silicones, to create translucent effects in practical applications. For example, the color-shifting effect in the Romulus Chestburster’s dome is achieved by pumping fluid between layers of very thin, transparent silicone. These are some advancements we’ve made in our work.

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2025-04-02 00:40