James Cameron Threatened To Quit Aliens Over Sigourney Weaver's Contract
SlashFilm • • entertainment
Key Points:
- James Cameron's 1986 sequel "Aliens" shifted the franchise from horror to action, focusing on marines battling a colony infested with xenomorphs, and grossed over $183 million on an $18.5 million budget.
- Cameron faced challenges securing Sigourney Weaver's return as Ellen Ripley, as 20th Century Fox falsely claimed she had a contract option for the sequel, which she did not.
- To ensure Weaver's involvement, Cameron bluffed that he would quit or rewrite the film without her, even spreading rumors through Arnold Schwarzenegger's agent to pressure her representation.
- The bluff succeeded, leading to Weaver signing on with a high salary, and Cameron proceeded with the film, which remains highly regarded despite its difficult production.
- Cameron acknowledged the risks of directing a sequel to another director's film but was committed to his vision, ultimately transforming Ripley into an iconic action heroine.
