It was one of the highest grossing films of 1986 and is one of the best science fiction films in history, but it had to face some problems during production
Sequel to one of the best horror and science fiction films of all time and often considered even better than the original, Aliens, the return is one of the great titles of the genre of the 80s. Released in 1986, the film was one of the highest grossing of that year and received recognition from the public and critics, and, in addition, served to consolidate James Cameron’s career as director. The filmmaker had already smashed Terminator, but taking over from Ridley Scott by directing the sequel to Alien, the eighth passenger It was his first opportunity to have a good budget.
The filming of Aliens It took place for two and a half months in the United Kingdom and, although it was completed on time and within budget -18 million dollars-, it was not free of problems. The Pinewood Studios team did not have a very good image of Cameron, whom they considered too inexperienced to take charge of the film, and there were also some cultural differences.
Besides, Several weeks after starting filming, Cameron had to fire one of his protagonists: James Remarwho had been hired to play Dwayne Hicks but ended up being replaced by Michael Biehn.
The signing of Remar had occurred on the recommendation of Walter Hill, one of the screenwriters along with Cameron, since they were close friends. However, the performer’s drug problems put an end to his brief time in the film, which would undoubtedly have been one of the great works of his career.
Although At first the dismissal was argued as “creative differences” and the actor spoke of “personal reasons”, the reality would come to light later, when Remar himself admitted that he had been arrested for drug possession and that had led to his dismissal in the middle of filming. The scenes that he had already recorded had to be reshot and changes were also made in the editing to correct the unforeseen event.
I had a terrible drug problem, but I overcame it. I had a great career and personal life, and I ruined them with a terrible drug addiction
“I was initially cast as Corporal Hicks, and I was fired after a couple of weeks of filming because I was arrested for drug possession. and Michael Biehn replaced me,” he admitted in the episode of the series The Movies That Made Us dedicated to Aliens.
Dwayne Hicks’ character was, after Ripley, the most important in the second installment of the Aliens saga and Michael Biehn was highly praised for the work he did in it. For his part, Remar would end up overcoming his addiction and was able to maintain his career.
