Wednesday, August 01, 2007

ALIEN(S) RECASTING

I had originally posted this under the "Michael Biehn Birthday" post yesterday, but feared it was lost in the excitement. So here it is by itself. So freaking neat!

Andrew
over at BSMBOW made some rad finds that had me giddy. See below or click HERE to his kickass blog!

Seeing these pics it's quite hard to imagine Aliens without Michael Biehn as Hicks.

Hicks was originally played by James Remar, but Michael Biehn replaced him a few days after principal photography began, due to "artistic differences" between Remar and director James Cameron. However, Remar still appears in the finished film - but wearing the same armor, and shot from behind, it's impossible to tell the difference between the two actors.
and then ALIEN recasting.....

Jon Finch was originally cast as Kane but on the first day of shooting, he looked extremely ill. Medics were called and Jon Finch was immediately taken to hospital where it was discovered that he had an extreme case of diabetes. Ridley Scott knew that John Hurt was in town, so he approached him that night about playing Kane. John Hurt was on set the following day. It's strange seeing these photos, it's hard to imagine Alien and the famous chestburster scene without John Hurt, and also it makes you wonder how Finch's career might have gone in other directions had he been in Alien.
Awesome awesome find, Andrew! Thanks for letting me snag and post!

3 comments:

Andrew Glazebrook said...

It's not just the fact that Remar left but Cameron got rid of his original Cinematographer Dick Bush and then got Adrian Biddle, it makes you wonder just how much footage was shot and binned.

Jim said...

I'd give up a kidney to have ALL footage, moving and stills, related to the first 3 Alien films!

Tom Vidovich said...

Thanks for these pics!I remember for years knowing Biehn had replaced someone but it seems like only recently I found out it was Remar. Gonna have to dip back into the well of the whole franchise before Prometheus.