Aileen Wu on Big Breaks and Immersing Yourself Fully

Words: Sanj Patel // Hair: Marc Mena // Makeup: Hinako // Styling: Timothy Chernyaev // Photographer: Raul Romo

“In a way, that’s how Navarro and I are similar—we’re these no-fuss, get-shit-done type of girls. I think audiences will find it refreshing to see that on screen.”

"I’ll be honest, when I first started acting, my cultural background and Chinese ethnicity were things I really struggled with," says Aileen Wu. The multitalented creative begins her day with our call from her home overseas. Today, she’s preparing for a breakout role in the 2024 movie Alien: Romulus, a stark contrast to the uncertainty she once felt at the start of her career. “I think, as most immigrants would relate to, the first thing you do in situations like these is create some version of your own simulation to fit in. It wasn’t until I left Vancouver that I was really introduced to theater and acting. When I got to NYU, I met a group of Chinese international students with whom I started making theater with. They really helped me refine my center and core.”

"My love for storytelling really stems from my fascination with people."

Alien: Romulus marks Wu's debut leap into the iconic sci-fi horror franchise, directed by Fede Alvarez. The film, set between Ridley Scott's 1979 original and James Cameron’s 1986 sequel, Aliens, follows a group of friends who accidentally release Xenomorphs during a mission to a distant planet. The actor and producer is joined by Cailee Spaeny, David Jonsson, and others.

“I fully believe my theater training is what helped me get this role in Alien,” Wu states. “We worked mainly with Shakespeare, with a lot of focus on voice and speech work. For the stage, the goal is to reach the back row of the audience. And because there is no back row for me in film, it was a hard transition to quiet it all down and not move so much. However, it just so happened that Fede was doing it all practically. Everything was super intense, story-wise, from a horror/action point of view, and filming-wise, everything was done chronologically.”

Reflecting on her role in Alien: Romulus, Wu admits it was her first introduction to the iconic franchise. “When I got the role I really had to do my homework,” she explains. The emotional moment she learned about landing the role was poignant.

“When I got the call it was really early in the morning. I cried. I called my mom. She cried. I went into the living room, opened up my computer, and put on 'Someone in the Crowd' from La La Land. It’s one of my favorites, and for us actors, the message is something we can all relate to.”

Embarking on a role in such a storied franchise brought a mix of excitement and trepidation. Countless readings of the script and viewings of the original four movies were part of the preparation. “One thing I learned during my time in theater was the importance of words, so I spent a lot of time breaking down the scenes and learning my lines,” explains Wu. “I also had to make sure I kept my body right because I knew it was going to be an intense and physically-demanding shoot.”

But the prep didn’t stop there. Wu’s recent transformation, including shaving her head for her role in the film, was also a significant change. “I’ve actually been rocking the look since 2019,” she says. “In a way, that’s how Navarro and I are similar—we’re these no-fuss, get-shit-done type of girls. I think audiences will find it refreshing to see that on screen.”

Navarro’s character is pragmatic and grounded, complemented by her cool wardrobe, including a leather jacket, cowboy boots, and Hawaiian shirt. The collaborative effort behind Navarro’s look was notable. “When it came to our costumes, it was a real collaborative experience. We had so many great ideas,” Wu notes. “Fede and Carlos [Rosario] really trusted us with character decisions.”

Indeed, few up-and-coming actors have the chance to collaborate with such legendary figures early in their careers. For Wu, this was another, exciting opportunity.

“The best of the best will always just be nerds and geeks,” Wu reflects.

“The whole team really delved into all that the books and comics had to offer. Being a nerd in everything you do was the biggest takeaway for me. Your work thrives when you immerse yourself fully.”

Balancing multiple roles in the industry—acting, directing, writing, and producing—can be challenging. So how does Wu manage these different creative disciplines? “I really like wearing these different hats, if you could call them that,” she reveals. “I found that my acting informs all my other roles; it’s a really nice cycle. Each role makes you more and more aware of all the other departments involved in filmmaking.”

She continues, “You fake it till you make it—that’s one of my mottos. But lately, I’ve realized that this approach doesn’t always work. I think it's a sign of growth. But you have to be honest with yourself and your core support system.”

Finally, Wu confirms that directing or writing her own science fiction project is a definite goal. "Absolutely. It’s a dream of mine to write and direct," she concludes. "I’m not rushing; I still have some growing and maturing to do. I’ll take my time to develop fully, but I have no doubt that day will come."

Make sure to follow Aileen Wu on Instagram. Alien: Romulus is now in theaters. Watch the trailer below.