The newest identified variant of SARS-CoV-2, the virus responsible for the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic, has received its name. Omicron is the name of the "o" character in the Greek alphabet, as well as the latest variant of concern first identified in South Africa.
As the word "Omicron" existed in vernacular before the pandemic, several pieces of pop culture contain the word. Perhaps most famously, the planet of King Lrrr from Futurama, Omicron Persei 8.
But there are more pop culture mirrors, such as a 1963 science fiction film simply titledOmicron. Of course, wild stories full of half-truths and new conspiracy theories ensued.
Some, like a fake movie poster that mistitled the film The Omicron Variant have already been debunked.
It's true that in 1963, an Italian satirical sci-fi comedy movie called "Omicron" was released. However, a movie poster for "The Omicron Variant" is doctored; the 1963 movie "Omicron" did not predict the COVID-19 pandemic. https://t.co/Mcuwh4AgR7
— snopes.com (@snopes) December 2, 2021
Tf are u talking about??? Omicron is a 1963 sci-fi film in which a Dead man comes back to life after his body becomes inhabited by an invisible alien a.k.a. P@r@site host. Wtf???? You cannot make this 💩 up.😭😭😭🤡🤣🤦♀️🤦♀️🤦♀️😈😈 pic.twitter.com/bA4T8EQDsv
— Erin Elizabeth Health Nut News (@unhealthytruth) November 29, 2021
Omicron is a 1963 Italian science fiction-comedy film directed by Ugo Gregoretti. Omicron is a 1963 comedic sci-fi film in which an alien variant takes over the dead body of an Earthling to learn about our weaknesses, so his race can take over our planet.🤔 pic.twitter.com/ZFENnnLnvS
— Truth Seeker (@Amy21407287) December 2, 2021
The film, shot in Italian, tells the story of an alien who takes over a human body to learn about humans so his race may more easily invade planet earth.
There is no mention of a virus or a disease, but that has not stopped the conspiracy theories from popping up. One of the more popular conspiracies has retitled this film as The Omicron Variant rather than simply Omicron, in order to suggest a more direct parallel between the virus and the film.
However, the film is only known as Omicron.
Omicron !
1963 Ugo Gregoretti
-explorer Omicron ready with his report on Planet
Earth pic.twitter.com/e6sw2ZTcls
— Lukas Corso (@lukas_corso) December 3, 2021
OMICRON is a 1963 movie where an alien takes over the body of a man to take over the earth. Sounds silly but it just feels funny. Anyway enjoy your day, but wait, ain't it bogus how most things happening now were played out in movies years ago? But wait nevermind, am drunk.
— Man’s NOT Barry Roux (@AdvoBarryRoux) November 30, 2021
Was the new variant named after this movie. The movie Omicron Variant was released in 1963. pic.twitter.com/iRUvVqxVxE
— keith (@realkeith_) December 2, 2021
Watch Omicron movie.. Shot in 1963
We are heading for hell pic.twitter.com/bkjH6Y3Hdb
— Dr Daniel Marven (PhD) (@danielmarven) November 28, 2021
Other conspiracy theorists have found straws to connect story threads, but for the most part the conspiracy is being dismissed rather quickly by any and all sources.
Becky Cheatle—who originally created the altered poster being shared—tweeted:
“Hi. It's been brought to my attention that one of my posters is circulating on Spanish language Twitter as ‘proof’ of a Covid hoax."
"It's just a goof because I thought Omicron Variant sounded like a 70s sci-fi movie. Please do not get sick on account of my dumb joke. Thanks.”
https://t.co/mdwOat5re3
— Becky Cheatle (@BeckyCheatle) December 4, 2021
Others shared clips of the movie to dispel the misinformation.
Omicron movie. 1963.
They talk about a "mark." Hmm. pic.twitter.com/Od5nwZtJ21
— 🔥JØⱧ₦(ⱤɎ₳₦)₩łQ🔥 (@WiQReborn) November 28, 2021
But people persisted with their alternate takes on reality.
Well, what do you know?
There's also a movie called Omicron with a very interesting story plot :) pic.twitter.com/4hTaOZyMHN
— Kevin (@Perrin8181) November 28, 2021
Now I've seen this movie "omicron"
It was about a dead factory worker who came back to life through something from an alien....At this point hollyweird has a contract with big pharma...
Saying the quiet parts out loud... pic.twitter.com/K4bU7z2a9t
— Black Washingtonian #proReparations FayneSpears (@AncestorsMic202) November 29, 2021
The 1963 Movie Omicron is about people infected with a virus. Look the army is even rounding them up to go to quarantine camps. pic.twitter.com/938IUVqn8w
— R3d Gh0st of Christmas Past 🏴 (@404___err0r) November 27, 2021
As experts have continued to state, the Omicron variant is still under observation and not a whole lot of information is available on what it could mean for the pandemic or vaccines.
But either way, the variant and this particular B-movie from the 1960s remain unrelated.
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A1