James Camerons 1986 sequel Aliens is one of those rare tings in the world of cinema, a sequel that is as good as the original movie. Of course hardcore fans of the seminal 1979 original will argue that Aliens is a dumbed down action movie, but its influence on the those in the movie, video game and comic book industry cannot be ignored. James Camerons working class industrial vision of the future further extended the vision created by Ridley Scott before him, and made a more relatable vision of the future acceptable to audiences.
With another movie currently in pre-production,and the recent news that co-star Bill Paxton is eager to revisit the role of the cowardly motor mouth, Private first class Hudson we thought it would be a good idea to look up ten members of the cast to see what they have been doing since...
# Carrie Henn
Carrie was chosen from 500 hopefuls by director James Cameron for the role of Rebecca Jorden aka Newt, despite having no previous acting experience. Though she loved her experience making the movie and even won Saturn Award for her role, Carrie never pursued an acting career, instead becoming a teacher, what's the bet she says to the parents on parents evening “My Mommy always said there were monsters, no real monsters, but there are.”
# Mac McDonald
In the Special Edition of Aliens Mac McDonald plays the role of Commander Simpson, the executive officer in charge of the Hadley's Hope colony on Acheron LV-426, before it was overrun with Aliens. To most science fiction fans Mac will also be known as Captain Hollister, executive officer in charge of the Red Dwarf before the radiation leak. Since Aliens Mac has appeared in many small movies and TV roles, including The Fifth Element, Te 51st State, Wrong Turn 3, My Family, Spooks and Little Britain Abroad.
# William Hope
Canadian actor William Hope played the the hapless commanding officer of the colonial marines Lt. Gorman. Though he has appeared in some movies since including Hellbound: Hellraiser II, The Saint and xXx, Hope has enjoyed a lot of success in recent years as a voice actor for the childrens TV show Thomas (the Tank Engine) & Friends.
# Paul Reiser
Following the success of his portrayal of the slimy corporate guy Carter Burke in Aliens Reiser revisited his role from Beverly Hills Cop in its 1987 sequel before enjoying brief success with the US sitcoms My Two Dads and Mad About You. More recently Reiser has appeared in award winning movies Behind the Candelabra and Whiplash.
# Jenette Goldstein
As well as being recognised for her role as the ball breaking private Vasquez in Aliens, Jenette Goldstein is also fondly remembered by science fiction fans for her portrayal of Janelle Voight, John Connors foster mother in 1991's hit sequel Terminator 2: Judgment Day. The eagle eyed of you may also have spotted her in Near Dark, Lethal Weapon 2, Star Trek: Generations and Titanic.
# Mark Rolston
Best remembered for his role as private Drake in Aliens, American actor Mark Rolston has had quite a busy acting career in the 30 years since, including such movie roles as Lethal Weapon 2, RoboCop 2, The Shawshank Redemption, Eraser, Rush Hour, Saw V, Saw VI, and TV roles which include Angel, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Babylon 5, The X-Files, The New Adventures of Superman, Alias, 24, Reaper and Supernatural. More recently Rolston supplied the voice for Deathstroke in Warner Bros Montreals hit video game Batman: Arkham Origins.
# Lance Henriksen
Though he was given the role of Bishop as compensation for being replaced by Arnold Schwarzenegger in the title role of director James Cameron's previous movie, The Terminator, Lance Henriksen has enjoyed a wide reaching acting career starring in movies like Near Dark, Pumpkinead, Hard Target, Tarzan, Scream 3,Alien vs Predator, Hellraiser: Hellworld. Though Arguably Henriksen's greatest success was on the small screen as agent Frank Black in the hit US TV show Millennium. More recently Henriksen has also appeared in hit US TV shows Hannibal and Castle.
# Bill Paxton
Although the role of private Hudson was the stereotypical fall guy, Bill Paxton's performance was so memorable that his acting career since has flourished. While he may not be a household name the American actor went on to star in some of the most recognisable roles in movies such as Navy Seals, Predator 2, Tombstone, True Lies, Apollo 13, Twister, Titanic, Thunderbirds, The Colony and Edge of Tomorrow. More recently Paxton appeared in the hit US TV show Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. In the recurring role of John Garrett
# Michael Biehn
Though best remembered by science fiction fans for his portrayal of Kyle Reese in The Terminator and as Corp. Dwayne Hicks in Aliens, American actor Michael Biehn is also recognized for his many action movie roles during the nineties including The Abyss, Tombstone, The Rock and Asteroid. Biehn has also appeared in hit video games Command & Conquer: Tiberian Sun and Aliens: Colonial Marines, as well as Far Car 3: Blood Dragon.
# Sigourney Weaver
Arguably the most successful Thespian of the Aliens cast, Sigourney Weaver (actually born Susan Alexandra Weaver) has enjoyed many roles in man science fiction movies such as the Alien franchise, Ghostbusters I & II, Avatar, Paul and Chappie as well as appearing in other successful movies such as Gorillas in the Mist, Dave, CopyCat, Galaxy Quest, The Village and Cabin in the Woods. Weaver has also appeared in hit US TV shows. Weaver confirmed in February that she will again reprise her role as Ellen Ripley in the new Alien movie.
Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 project was inevitably canceled following the merger between 20th Century Fox and Disney. Blomkamp had hoped to revive characters Hicks and Ripley for a new film, rewriting the Alien timeline, chalking up Alien 3 and Resurrection to mere bad dreams. Studio executives decided to can the project and instead took the franchise in a new direction, tapping Fede Alvarez to direct Alien: Romulus.
Neill Blomkamp's Alien 5 is indefinitely shelved.
