The Alien franchise redefined sci-fi horror by blending high-tech machinery with primal, biological fear. While audiences scream at the Xenomorph, the production of these films involved bizarre accidents and dark artistic visions. For instance, the original monster design came from a surrealist painter who exorcised his own nightmares through art. Furthermore, the most iconic scene in horror history relied on a lack of communication with the cast. Prepare to face the perfect organism.
Alien
The movie originally carried the title Star Beast. Screenwriter Dan O’Bannon struggled with the name until he noticed how often the word “alien” appeared in the script. Consequently, he swapped the title for the simpler, more ominous noun that became a household name.
H.R. Giger designed the Xenomorph based on his painting Necronom IV. The Swiss artist suffered from chronic night terrors and used his art to “exorcise” his visions. Remarkably, he removed the creature’s eyes because he felt it was more terrifying if you could not tell where it was looking.
The front of the original Alien head contained a real human skull. Giger integrated the bone into the design to help him understand the anatomy of the face. In addition, he allegedly used condoms to create the creature’s thick, translucent lips.
Most of the cast did not know the “chestburster” scene would be so graphic. Director Ridley Scott kept the details secret to provoke a genuine reaction of raw terror. When the blood sprayed, actress Veronica Cartwright actually passed out from the shock.
The crew used real animal guts and pig’s blood for the chestburster scene. Specifically, they bought offal from a butcher shop and stuffed it into a mechanical torso. Because of the hot set lights, the meat started to rot and created a revolting stench.
A 6-foot-10 Nigerian design student named Bolaji Badejo played the Alien. A casting director discovered him in a London bar and realized his tall, thin frame was perfect for the costume. Therefore, he practiced Tai Chi to learn how to move with a slow, predatory grace.
The space suits in the original film were dangerous to wear. They were heavy, lined with nylon, and lacked proper ventilation for carbon dioxide. After Ridley Scott’s own children passed out while standing in for the actors, the crew finally added oxygen tanks.
James Cameron pitched the sequel, Aliens, in just a few seconds. He walked into a boardroom, wrote the word ALIEN on a whiteboard, and added an “S” at the end. Then, he drew two vertical lines through the S to turn it into a dollar sign.
Sigourney Weaver actually made that “impossible” basketball shot in Alien: Resurrection. She practiced for weeks, but the director wanted to use camera tricks. Remarkably, she sank the basket behind her back on the sixth take while the cameras were rolling.
The blue laser lights in the egg chamber belonged to the rock band The Who. The band was testing lighting for an upcoming tour on the soundstage next door. Consequently, the film crew “borrowed” the lasers to give the alien nest its eerie, futuristic glow.
Ridley Scott pushed the walls of the Nostromo set closer together every day. He did this without telling the actors to increase their sense of claustrophobia. As a result, the cast felt naturally more stressed and trapped as the filming progressed.
The character of Ripley was originally written as a man. However, the producers decided to gender-swap the role because they believed a female hero would be more unique for the time. Indeed, this decision turned Sigourney Weaver into a legendary action icon.
Weyland-Yutani was eventually bought out by Walmart. In a deleted scene from Alien: Resurrection, a character mentions that the massive, planet-owning corporation fell to the retail giant. This joke suggests that in the future, consumerism is more powerful than weaponized aliens.
Ash’s “android” insides consisted of pasta, caviar, and milk. When the crew decapitated the character, they needed a strange, non-human fluid to leak out. To illustrate, actor Ian Holm had to speak while his face was covered in this peculiar, edible concoction.
Finally, the Xenomorph has a hidden “Unnamed Predatory Species” on its homeworld. According to expanded lore, a massive creature exists on Xenomorph Prime that actually hunts the hunters. This proves that even the perfect organism has something to fear in the dark.
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Leonardo DiCaprio stands as one of the most respected actors in cinematic history. He successfully transitioned from a teen heartthrob to a serious leading man. You surely remember him from Titanic, but his career goes much deeper. He is a passionate environmentalist who fights to save our planet. However, his path to the Oscar was incredibly long and difficult. Let’s examine the fascinating details of his journey.
Leonardo DiCaprio
His pregnant mother decided to name him Leonardo DiCaprio while visiting a museum in Italy. He kicked in her womb for the very first time right as she looked at a Da Vinci painting.
A great white shark almost attacked Leonardo DiCaprio while he was diving in South Africa. A tuna fish fell on top of the cage, which attracted the shark inside the protective bars.
He speaks fluent German because his mother was born in Germany and raised him bilingually. Therefore, he often visits his grandmother in Oer-Erkenschwick and speaks with her in her native language.
Surprisingly, he was fired from the children’s television show Romper Room at age five. Producers felt he was too disruptive and energetic for the calm nature of the program.
Leonardo DiCaprio turned down the role of Max Dennison in the Halloween classic Hocus Pocus. He chose to film What’s Eating Gilbert Grape instead, which earned him his first Academy Award nomination.
During the filming of Django Unchained, he slammed his hand on a table and accidentally shattered a glass. He ignored the bleeding wound and stayed in character, so the director used that real take.
He bought a massive island off the coast of Belize called Blackadore Caye. He plans to transform the 104-acre [42-hectare] land into an eco-friendly resort to restore the local environment.
In 2010, he donated $1,000,000 [€950,000] to save tigers in Nepal and Russia. His foundation consistently funds projects to protect endangered species around the globe.
Leonardo DiCaprio famously ate a raw bison liver for his role in The Revenant. Although he is a vegetarian, he did it to get a genuine reaction of disgust for the camera.
The Taliban famously banned his specific hairstyle in Afghanistan during the height of Titanic mania. Barbers faced jail time if they gave customers the floppy “Leo” haircut.
A terrifying skydiving accident almost cost him his life when his main parachute failed to open. Fortunately, his instructor managed to untangle the reserve chute just moments before they hit the ground.
He and his co-star Kate Winslet paid the nursing home fees for the last living Titanic survivor. They wanted to ensure Millvina Dean lived comfortably during her final years.
Leonardo DiCaprio owns a giant Sulcata tortoise that can live for 80 years. He bought the 38-pound [17-kilogram] reptile at a trade show in California.
While vacationing in the Caribbean, he helped save a man who had fallen off a cruise ship. His boat was the only one searching, and they found the man after 11 hours in the water.
The U.S. government forced him to return an Oscar statue that originally belonged to Marlon Brando. A corrupt financier had gifted it to him, but it was actually stolen property.
Audiences know Elisabeth Moss for her intense dramatic roles in hit shows. However, her background is surprisingly cheerful and unique. For instance, she originally trained to become a professional ballet dancer. Furthermore, she started acting before she could even read scripts properly. Consequently, her career path is full of hidden surprises. Therefore, dig into these secrets about the queen of peak TV. You will see her differently.
Elisabeth Moss
Elisabeth Moss started acting at a very young age. Specifically, she voiced a character in the cartoon Frosty Returns at age ten.
She originally wanted to be a ballerina. In fact, she moved to New York specifically to study ballet at the School of American Ballet.
Surprisingly, she graduated high school two years early. Because she was home-schooled, she finished her studies at age sixteen.
Elisabeth Moss kept a prop from Mad Men. She took the thermos that her character Peggy Olson used frequently.
Her marriage was incredibly short and chaotic. She married comedian Fred Armisen, but they separated after only eight months.
She is a powerhouse producer today. Currently, Elisabeth Moss produces The Handmaid’s Tale and has significant creative control.
She played the president’s daughter on The West Wing. Uniquely, she landed this recurring role when she was only seventeen.
Although she plays Americans, she holds dual citizenship. Because her father is British, she owns a UK passport.
She is a massive sports fan. Specifically, Elisabeth Moss loves the Chicago Cubs and attends their games often.
She directs episodes of her own shows. For instance, she directed several intense episodes of The Handmaid’s Tale herself.
She filmed The Invisible Man with no co-star. Instead, she acted against a green man or empty space.
Elisabeth Moss was raised in the Church of Scientology. Consequently, she defends the religion in interviews despite public controversy.
She loves horror movies deeply. Therefore, starring in Us and The Invisible Man was a dream come true.
She rarely takes breaks between projects. Colleagues often describe her as the hardest-working person on any film set.
Finally, Elisabeth Moss makes history often. She won two Emmys in the same year for acting and producing.
