We have just uploaded the 107th episode of the Alien vs. Predator Galaxy Podcast (right-click and save as to download)! In this episode we are again joined by Charles de Lauzirika, who produced the phenomenal Alien Quadrilogy, Alien Anthology and Prometheus boxsets, to discuss Alien 3, the work involved in putting the Assembly Cut together and the changing opinion of the fandom.
We discuss how Charles’ desire to tell the behind-the-scenes story of Alien 3 led to him taking on the daunting task of doing the entire Alien series, his attempts to contact David Fincher, how the discovery of a long-lost cut of Alien 3 led to the creation of the Assembly Cut of Alien 3, and plenty more!
When I ask about the Assembly Cut not being in the Region 2 version of the Anthology, it sounds like there’s a little confusion over what I actually meant. I’m talking about is it not being called the Assembly Cut in the menus, but rather Special Edition. I also mention Vincent Ward had a graphic adaptation of his script available on his website which can be found here.
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I'll try and get this one transcribed some time.
Naw, it's cool. Just taking the piss outta ya, it's my job around here in case you haven't noticed.
I remember seeing that somewhere before but can't recall where exactly.
Hadn't really noticed I was waffling during the edit. But fair. Apologies.
Boooo!
Thanks for looking Charles, unfortunately the UK Region 2 set didn't even have this text intro! I always thought it was strange there was no video intro like the other films in the set.
Resurrection or Requiem?
There's only one Alien movie you can use word "turd" referring to. We all know the name of it.
https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/miscellaneous-worms-can-tin-opening_a_can_of_worms-opening-jfa2492_low.jpg
Nice interview. That said I think Charles de Lauzirika's glorified fancut of alien 3 took it from a 3/5 movie to a 3.5/5 movie. The production values and attention to detail and remastering are indeed a 4/5 effort. Charles de Lauzirika went above and beyond what he was contracted to do.
That said you can't polish a turd like alien 3, even with a CGI redoing of the runner/ox/dog alien rod puppet effects. It doesn't fix any of the film's flaws.
Fincher already said alien 3 was a studio politics disaster. Let's leave it at that.
And yes, no doubt that you didn't 'scoop' them. They wouldn't have put this on Facebook if they were pissed.
I particularly liked Charles' views on the super facehugger and fandom ie damned if you do, damned if you don't!
And also interesting to hear about Terry Rawlings. He opened a showing of Alien at my local cinema last March and must've been one of his last public outings. He was having his ear chewed off by some bloke behind me and I'm gutted I didn't save him and introduce myself!
Great work Corp!
About 1/4 in, though the Corporal does tend to waffle on a bit. Does Charles also get to talk a bit later on?
That sucks, indeed
Yeah I agree, always bothers me that we get no comments from him on the film other than "not my movie".
This is great, cheers Val.
It's a great wee story so I'm glad you asked. Fincher talking about Alien 3 indepth is a sort of Holy Grail.
Charles wrote about it before, I archived it here: https://alienseries.wordpress.com/2012/10/21/finding-fincher/
Might be more info at the link.
I can't fault Fincher really. It was a truly awful experience for him. It'd be nice if he was made aware of how the AC has turned a lot of opinions - admittedly not all - but it'd be nice to know if he knew.
It was in the Workprint, the VHS copy of the test screening cut that Charles mentioned.
When 85 says "You're going to need a bigger cage than that". Was that scene in the theatrical version or was it left on the cutting room floor? Would have loved to see it in the AC.
Ah. I haven't listened to the Aliens commentary yet. But regardless, I wouldn't have done tried to scoop them or anything. I like the PO crew.
Duly noted. I shall endeavour to do that going forward. Have you switched to watching the video versions? And thank you! Glad you're enjoying.
No worries, Charles! We all get mixed up.
Anyway, keep up the great work!
Same
I wouldn't worry - you snooze, you lose! As you've said, this must've been in the planning for ages and theirs was an off the cuff comment.
Sorry for any confusion. Like I said...it's been 17 years!
Itll never happen but its a dream of mine.
Wow. What an interesting undertone I had NO idea about. That kind of elevates my opinion of the Ox scene now to more on par with the dog (though the dog will always make more sense)
As for the pod, it was brilliant. I will always make time to hear an Alien 3 discussion. The quadrilogy and anthology are such huge pillars of fascination and knowledge in the fandom, so god bless Charles, he's a legend.
God I would love it if someone someday followed in Charles footsteps and lobbied for another kind of special cut. Completely appreciate what Charles says about a fan doing it from home, but I dunno, like Hicks said, it would be elite if someone could dive into the depths of the Fox archives for a properly authentic cut.
Just thought I'd mention a few points from YouTube comments -
It was Alien: Echo that had red-blooded synthetics.
And that an Ox is very representative of biblical lore. A sick and dying Ox is a bad omen for a household.
Great job guys!
Cheers!
Thank you for asking my question regarding Murphy's missing line in the Special Edition Region 2 version, and for asking Charles what his own hypothetical fan-edit would be. Facinating!
I would love for more footage to be unearthed and released, and even if someone wanted to have a crack at a CGI runner to replace those rod puppet FX.
Great to hear so many of my other questions about edits answered too. And we need a better name for this fabled edit than "the cut we found" or whatever he keeps calling it.
Loved to hear him say something along the lines of "maybe someday" with regard to some of the other deleted material that wasn't restored. I'll keep my fingers crossed for a touched up workprint, which is probably at the top of my "take my money now" wishlist.
Maybe he's right and one day there will be a very glossy fan cut. Would still love fir them to produce an official Final Cut though of sorts. Add back in the dog bursted and the final ripley chestburster, along with some polished FX and that would be ideal
Although at 2 hours it's gonna have to wait until tomorrow