James Cameron has expressed his strong disapproval of a significant plot twist in the 1992 film Alien 3, which resulted in the abrupt deaths of beloved characters he created in the preceding film, Aliens. In a recent episode of the Just Foolin’ Around podcast with actor Michael Biehn, Cameron openly criticized the decision to kill off key figures shortly after their introduction, calling it “the stupidest fucking thing.”
The original Aliens, released in 1986, was a sequel to Ridley Scott‘s classic Alien. Cameron’s film introduced iconic characters including Corporal Hicks (played by Biehn), the android Bishop (portrayed by Lance Henriksen), and young Newt (played by Carrie Henn). Newt, in particular, formed a close bond with the lead character, Ellen Ripley, played by Sigourney Weaver. The sudden demise of these characters in Alien 3 occurred during a crash on a prison planet, leaving only Ripley to survive.
Cameron’s Frustration with Studio Decisions
David Fincher, who directed Alien 3, faced significant challenges during production, including studio interference that ultimately led to his disowning the film. Cameron highlighted his frustration with the twist, remarking, “So, you build a lot of goodwill around the characters… and then the first thing they do in the next film is kill them all off.” He criticized the decision to replace these characters with convicts whom audiences would not care about, saying, “Really clever.”
Despite his criticisms, Cameron refrained from blaming Fincher personally for the decision, acknowledging the director’s challenging circumstances. He stated, “Now, I’m a big fan of Fincher and his work… and he was getting vectored around by a lot of other voices.”
Biehn echoed Cameron’s sentiments, describing Fincher’s experience as having been “handed a bowl of shit.” He recounted an incident where he confronted Fincher after his likeness was used without permission, humorously noting that it might explain his absence from future Fincher films.
Cameron’s Recent Reflections and Current Projects
As Cameron promotes his latest film, Avatar: Fire And Ash, he has been vocal about various industry experiences. Recently, he dismissed claims made by Matt Damon that he was offered the lead role in the first Avatar film. He also expressed disappointment over a joke made by Amy Poehler about him during the Golden Globes in 2013.
Cameron’s candid reflections on his past work and the decisions made in the film industry highlight the often complicated relationship between creators and studio executives. His insights into Alien 3 not only reveal his dedication to character development but also underscore the challenges filmmakers face in bringing their visions to life.
