Movie Aliens
Posted on April 5, 2009 at 8:00 am
Be sure to check out Paul Asay’s great gallery of movie aliens. I was very pleased to see that he included my beloved Galaxy Quest along with classics like E.T., “Cocoon,” and the original The Day the Earth Stood Still.
Some of my favorites that were not on his list include Jeff Goldblum, Jim Carrey, and Damon Wayans in “Earth Girls are Easy,” assorted characters in the “Star Trek” (especially Mr. Spock and the Tribbles) and “Star Wars” movies (especially Chewbacca), John Candy in “Spaceballs,” Jeff Bridges in “Starman,” and just about everyone in “Men in Black.” 
And we can’t forget the children from the original, sequel, and recent “re-imagined” Witch Mountain movies, the oddballs in what many people consider the best worst movie of all time, “Plan 9 From Outer Space,” and what many people consider one of the worst worst movies of all time, “Santa Claus Conquers the Martians.”
A special shout-out to Patrick Breen (second from the left in the photo), who played wonderful aliens in “Men in Black” and “Galaxy Quest!”
Speaking of Karen Allen, I wrote an unsolicited script for a Starman sequel back in 1998. It was my first script and I quit college to finish it. It’s been gathering dust ever since. I sent it to Jeff Bridges and John carpenter, although I would prefer if Carpenter didn’t direct a sequel. I wrote some good f/x sequences and some interesting characters. I’m pretty sure I’ll never be involved, but I’d to see the f/x scene from the beach being incorporated, (Jeff’s manager Neil will know the one, totally plagiarised from another movie, but it would look great on film today). If anyone has any questions, email me at hansenfilm@yahoo.ie and I’ll answer them. (Although I won’t give away any plot points. And yes there is a son and indeed, I actually have the perfect casting suggestion!!
One of my all-time favorite aliens is “Jerry” (Lou Gossett Jr.) in “Enemy Mine”. The movie is great mostly because they played for laughs as well as for the serious themes. It is not easy being a comedian in dozens of pounds of plastic prosthesis.
As you know, I am also a huge fan of this film! Thanks so much for adding it to the list.