We have just uploaded our new interview with Ian Whyte. Back in 2007 AvPGalaxy had the opportunity to speak to Ian Whyte whilst he was working on Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem. I recently had the chance to catch up with the basketball player turned actor that played the Predator in two Alien vs. Predator films and took up the mantle as a member of the enigmatic race that has intrigued fans since Alien's release in 1979 – the Engineers.
“The alien language was developed by a very learned linguist, Dr Anil Biltoo. Who is not only "the linguist" from Prometheus, he is the head of languages at the SOAS language centre at the University of London. It was derived, or inspired by an early root language about 10000 years old, long before Asian and European languages began to develop independently. Initially I spent a good few hours learning the intrinsic intonations and then went away with a few paragraphs that had been translated into "Alien" to learn verbatim as practice before the actual script.
One of the paragraphs was the tears in rain scene from Blade Runner. A film I am very, very familiar with. But the words "Tannhauser" and "Orion" did not translate into the alien language because they are names. As a result they stood out from the text very conspicuously and gave away the entire meaning of the exercise. As soon as I realised what I was reading, my mind automatically translated it back into English, (and into Rutger Hauer's voice as well probably) and tears welled up within me, such is the emotive power of that scene. I went back to the producers and said, "look, I appreciate the need for practice, but you've got to let me see the script. This is Blade Runner and every time I read it I cry! I need to study it and learn it with relevance to my own character."
In our interview with Ian Whyte he talks to us about his experience filming both Alien vs. Predator films, how he got involved in Prometheus and learning how to talk Engineer. He also takes about his transition from basketball to acting and just what it’s like to act under all that rubber and make-up!
Make sure you check out the interview in its entirety! You can also read our previous interviews in the Interviews section. I’d like to thank Ian once again for taking the time to answer our questions.
Quote from: 420Buddy on Feb 21, 2016, 12:34:17 PM
God this dude is awesome... Shane Black please cast him as your predator. His wolf and engineer performances were top knotch. You could definitely say I'm a fan, would love to get his autograph and shake his hand some day.
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Great interview very interesting.
Quote from: BonesawT101 on Feb 21, 2016, 06:59:33 PM
Had the honour of meeting him at a convention and had my blu ray copy of Prometheus signed by 'The Last Engineer' himself. Lovely guy and very humble and down to earth.
QuoteGreat interview guys, interesting questions posed as always
Quote from: 420Buddy on Feb 21, 2016, 12:34:17 PM
God this dude is awesome... Shane Black please cast him as your predator. His wolf and engineer performances were top knotch. You could definitely say I'm a fan, would love to get his autograph and shake his hand some day.
Great interview very interesting.
Quote from: Predator_Spirit on Feb 22, 2016, 11:03:43 PM
Do you know if Ian has been contacted by the studios for Predator 3 ?
Quote from: XENOMORPHOSIS on Feb 23, 2016, 03:27:22 AM
Though not wanting to jump to conclusion, could we interpret his words of not being in Alien Covenant suggest we won't be seeing any of the Engineers back.
Quote from: BonesawT101 on Feb 21, 2016, 06:59:33 PM
Had the honour of meeting him at a convention and had my blu ray copy of Prometheus signed by 'The Last Engineer' himself. Lovely guy and very humble and down to earth.
Quote from: XENOMORPHOSIS on Feb 23, 2016, 03:27:22 AM
Could this imply that we will get NO return of the Engineers? I certainly hope not.
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 23, 2016, 08:43:49 AM
I just took it to mean he doubts he'll be back as his character was quite dead.
Quote from: The Eighth Passenger on Feb 23, 2016, 03:09:39 PM
He was wearing prosthetics so it should be easy enough to give him a new face. And when it comes to Engineers, he can already talk the talk. So to speak. ;D
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 23, 2016, 08:43:49 AMQuote from: Predator_Spirit on Feb 22, 2016, 11:03:43 PM
Do you know if Ian has been contacted by the studios for Predator 3 ?
I assume you mean Predator 4 - I don't know, sorry. I'll try to ask him this weekend. He did mention he'd been asked about Predator 3 though.
Quote from: 420Buddy on Feb 28, 2016, 12:15:39 PM
Wow awesome! I'm pretty jealous though, lol
Quote from: CthulhuQueen on Feb 28, 2016, 08:48:07 PM
Wow, nice one Hicks! That's one tall chap!
He seems like a genuinely nice person, very un-Hollywood.
Quote from: Xenoscream on Mar 01, 2016, 10:54:22 AM
1. What was your brief on the Engineer character? Any info on where they come from, what the motivation is, how to perceive people etc?
Quote2. Was the suit you were wearing meant to be part of the engineer's body?
3. What's going on in the engineer's head throughout your scenes?
Does anyone know if any of these questions have been answered anywhere?
Quote from: Corporal Hicks on Feb 25, 2016, 08:11:12 PM
I aim to please, boss!
Yeah, he seems pretty certain on his not returning. I understand his Engineer died but considering the prosthetics I didn't think it'd be too crazy to see him back as a different character.