The studio heads at Fox during the development of “Alien 3” reportedly doubted the audience’s interest in seeing Xenomorphs on Earth, leading to the rejection of Harlin’s early vision for the film. However, just a few years later, the blockbuster success of “Independence Day” indicated that audiences were more than ready for extraterrestrial encounters on our home planet. Fast forward to the present, and this concept has come full circle with the development of an “Alien” series by FX set on Earth. Reflecting on his departure from the project, Harlin shared:
“So let’s put the aliens on a prison ship. A prison ship? How am I going to relate to a prison ship? But that’s ancient history. I’m not blaming anybody, but for those who don’t know, I worked for a year on ‘Alien 3,’ and I quit politely, respectfully, because I couldn’t stand the idea of, after Ridley Scott and Jim Cameron, coming up with a movie that is just not going to live up to what the audience is expecting and give them that experience. The key to me, just to say again about the ‘Alien’ movies, was that they have to be relatable. They might be in outer space, but the characters are you and I, in outer space, and that’s what makes them tick.”
Despite the turmoil behind “Alien 3,” which director David Fincher is known to look back on unfavorably, the franchise continues. In addition to the upcoming TV series, the gap between the first two films will be explored in the new movie “Alien: Romulus,” directed by Fede Alvarez and set for an August release. Harlin’s career flourished despite the setback with “Alien 3,” sparking curiosity about what might have been had Fox embraced his vision back then.
Audiences can anticipate the release of “The Strangers: Chapter 1” on May 17, 2024.
FAQ About Renny Harlin’s Early Version of Alien 3
- What was Renny Harlin’s original concept for Alien 3?
Renny Harlin wanted to set “Alien 3” on Earth, bringing the Xenomorphs to our planet for the first time in the franchise. - Why didn’t Fox go along with Harlin’s vision for the film?
According to reports, the Fox executives of that time believed that audiences wouldn’t be interested in an “Alien” movie set on Earth. - Did Harlin ever direct an ‘Alien’ movie?
No, he did not. Harlin worked on “Alien 3” for a year before politely stepping down from the project. - How did the production of ‘Alien 3’ turn out?
Production of “Alien 3” was notoriously challenging, and director David Fincher has expressed his dissatisfaction with the final product.
Conclusion
The intriguing story behind Renny Harlin’s initial plans for “Alien 3” stands as a fascinating “what if” in the history of the franchise. Harlin’s desire to bring the Xenomorphs to Earth may have been ahead of its time, ultimately leading to his departure from the project. Despite this, his narrative serves as a reminder of the creative struggle filmmakers often face and the unpredictable nature of audience reception. With the franchise still expanding and exploring new frontiers, including Harlin’s once-rejected idea of Earth-based stories, fans of the “Alien” saga continue to experience the thrills and terror of Xenomorph encounters, both in space and on our home turf.