The highly anticipated film Alien: Romulus has surprised audiences not only with its gripping story and terrifying creatures but also with an unexpected performance. The film, directed by Fede Álvarez, features an incredibly tall and menacing creature, but unlike many modern movies, this monster isn’t a product of CGI. Instead, the nightmare-inducing alien is played by a real person—Robert Bobroczkyi, a 24-year-old Hungarian man who stands an astonishing 231 cm tall.
Alien: Romulus‘ terrifying creature portrayed by Hungarian man
Álvarez recently shared a behind-the-scenes clip on social media, revealing a key scene from Alien: Romulus, IGN.hu reports. In this footage, Bobroczkyi is seen preparing for a critical moment in which he hunts down one of the film’s main characters, portrayed by Cailee Spaeny. The director emphasised the physical presence and talent Bobroczkyi brought to the role, remarking on his ability to deliver such a terrifying performance in his very first acting role.
The incredibly talented Robert Bobroczkyi getting ready to chase after Cailee Spaeny in #alienromulus @LegacyEffects #bts pic.twitter.com/Tp3DLXV40x
— Fede Alvarez (@fedalvar) August 30, 2024
Born in Arad, Romania, in 2000, Robert Bobroczkyi comes from a family of athletes. His father, Zsigmond Bobróczky, was a professional basketball player, standing at 217 cm, while his mother, Brunhilde, 186 cm tall, played both handball and volleyball at a high level. Robert’s incredible height became apparent early on; by the time he was 12 years old, he had already outgrown his father, reaching 218 cm. From the ages of 8 to 13, Bobroczkyi was even taller than Robert P. Wadlow, who holds the title of the tallest person ever recorded, at his age.
Bobroczky’s first role
Bobroczkyi moved to Ohio during his teenage years to pursue his education. Unlike Wadlow, whose height was due to a medical condition, Bobroczkyi’s growth was deemed completely natural. This allowed him to follow in his father’s footsteps and briefly pursue a basketball career. However, his dreams of going professional were cut short by a severe case of scoliosis, a condition that affects the spine, HVG reports.
Unable to continue his basketball career, Bobroczkyi shifted his focus to the film industry, with Alien: Romulus marking his debut on the big screen. His role in the movie has garnered significant attention due to his striking height and haunting portrayal of the xenomorph-human hybrid. This creature, referred to as the “Offspring,” is a deeply unsettling figure that emerges from the character played by Isabela Merced. In one of the movie’s most disturbing scenes, the hybrid leans in to “feed” from Merced’s character in a moment that had viewers shuddering.
Perfect for the part
Interestingly, Bobroczkyi’s height and physique required very little alteration for the role. His towering presence was perfect for the part, and Álvarez made the deliberate choice to avoid excessive digital enhancement, preferring the raw terror of a real actor in the costume. Some fans of the franchise have been divided over the introduction of this xenomorph-human hybrid, as it’s reminiscent of the controversial Predalien from earlier films. However, there’s no denying the bone-chilling effect Bobroczkyi’s portrayal had on audiences, with his performance blending human intelligence, demonic energy, and something otherworldly.
Behind the scenes, the creature’s inclusion almost didn’t happen. Initially, the studio executives were hesitant to greenlight the hybrid’s appearance, fearing it might not fit the established lore of the Alien franchise. However, Álvarez stood firm in his vision, ultimately convincing the studio that the hybrid was essential to the film’s narrative. In some scenes, the director admitted to combining practical effects with CGI and even artificial intelligence to fully bring the creature to life, but Bobroczkyi’s presence on set gave the alien a terrifyingly real edge.
Bobroczky’s performance widely praised
Though Alien: Romulus has faced some criticism, particularly concerning its final act, Bobroczkyi’s performance has been widely praised. His unique height and ability to embody the eerie, otherworldly character have made him a standout in the film. Fans of the franchise and casual viewers alike have been left intrigued by this young Hungarian talent, who, despite his initial struggles in sports, has found a new path in the world of film. As Alien: Romulus continues to draw audiences, Bobroczkyi’s debut may mark the beginning of a promising career in cinema.
Read also:
Why you wrote that he is Hungarian, if he is Romanian?
Maybe author should check information, before publish it?
Dear Reader, Robert is Hungarian, born in Romania. Thank you for reading us!