“As for those responsible for this conspiracy: All I can wish them is an Alien breeding inside their chests…”

“Alien: Resurrection” poster. (1997.) Source: Creative Commons.

H.R. Giger is a Swiss artist whose imagination gave birth to the design of the aliens in the iconic “Alien” film franchise. His horrifying creations first came to the screen in 1979′s “Alien” and recently in 2012′s “Prometheus.” Nevertheless, Giger was surprised to learn that the 1997 “Alien: Resurrection” did not credit him at all. In November, he wrote a frustrated letter to the film studio:

November 13, 1997

To: TWENTIETH CENTURY FOX

The Alien Quartet has, from the very beginning, contained my unique and personal style. For the first film ALIEN, I was awarded an Oscar for “Best Achievement for Visual Effects”. In ALIENS, a film I was not asked to work on, I still received a screen credit for “Original Alien Design”.

On ALIEN 3, I was cheated out of the Oscar nomination received by that film because 20th Century Fox gave me the credit, “Original Alien Design” again, instead of “Alien 3 Creature Design”, as it was my rightful title in accordance to my contract and the work I had performed on the film. In 1976 I had completed two paintings, “Necronom IV” and “Necronom V”, in which two long-headed creatures appeared. In 1977 these paintings were published in my book, NECRONOMICON, by Sphinx Verlag, Basel, in German. It was in this version of the book that Ridley Scott, in his search for a credible Alien creature, came across these two paintings and decided on them for the full-grown Alien, using the words “That’s it!” The statement has been graciously repeated by Ridley Scott in almost every interview about his work on ALIEN.

H. R. Giger in 2012. Source: Creative Commons.

The creatures in ALIEN: RESURRECTION are even closer to my original Alien designs than the ones which appear in ALIENS and ALIEN 3. The film also resurrects my original designs for the other stages of the creature’s life-cycle, the Eggs, the Facehugger and the Chestburster. ALIEN: RESURRECTION is an excellent film. What would it look like without my Alien life-forms? In all likelihood, all the sequels to ALIEN would not even exist! The designs and my credit have been stolen from me, since I alone have designed the Alien. So why does Fox not give me the credit I rightfully earned?

As for those responsible for this conspiracy: All I can wish them is an Alien breeding inside their chests, which might just remind them that the “Alien Father” is H.R.Giger.

H.R.Giger

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[Text] H.R. Giger Reclaims Role as ‘Alien Father’ appeared first on Witnify.

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Actor Roddy MacDowell shares his home movies of the extensive make-up regimen required for his role in the original 1968 film, “Planet of the Apes.” At the end, he lends Carol Burnett an ear.

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Director Matt Reeves narrates the challenges of making the 2014 film, “Dawn of the Planet of the Apes” with actor Jason Clarke. Clarke had to respond to the director’s monkey noises in an abandoned quarry to stay in character.

From the New York Times. Produced by Mekado Murphy.

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Director Matt Reeves On the Making of ‘Dawn of the Planet of the Apes’ appeared first on Witnify.

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In this audio clip, English professor Dr. Loren Logsdon shares the extraordinary way in which he became friends with world-famous science-fiction author, Ray Bradbury. He reveals Bradbury’s literary inspirations and provides a glimpse into the mind and heart of the popular writer.

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A Limitless Imagination and a Heart to Match It appeared first on Witnify.

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Carrie Fisher, known for her role as Princess Leia in ‘Star Wars,’ roasts George Lucas, the director and producer of the beloved movie that helped to define a generation.

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Carrie Fisher, known for her role as Princess Leia in ‘Star Wars,’ talks about the various scenes in the movie as well as the dangerous stunts she would do for her role. Fisher also touches on a personal level by discussing how she would love to be in a musical some day.

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Carrie Fisher Discusses Star Wars appeared first on Witnify.

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Mark Hamill explains how he fell in love with the science fiction movie genre as well as credits ‘Star Wars’ as ‘more than science fiction.’ Hamill also touches on how George Lucas wanted the actors to develop their characters.

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Mark Hamill: ‘To Me, it’s More Than Science Fiction’ appeared first on Witnify.

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Mark Hamill, best known for playing Luke Skywalker in the ‘Star Wars’ films, explains the plot of the movie, the special effects, and what his odd casting call was  like as he was auditioning for the part.

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Mark Hamill: ‘Well, it’s Complete Nonsense’ appeared first on Witnify.

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George Lucas explains how he chose the cast for the first ‘Star Wars’ movie entitled ‘A New Hope.’ Lucas discusses his method for picking the actors and how he was looking for an entire ensemble of actors that could work together, not just one great solo actor.

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Casting for ‘A New Hope’ appeared first on Witnify.

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George Lucas explains how he acquired the merchandising rights and the rights for the sequels of his movie ‘Star Wars.’

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George Lucas Talks Numbers for Star Wars appeared first on Witnify.