Why did the movies fail?

[Local Trouble]

Wrong. Weaver was a great actress and she did amazing work, but the series is so much more than her and her character and it would have just fine without her.

It would have been Predator 2.

It would have had Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen though to carry the torch though.

[SM]

It was never just about Ripley.

It's about both.

[Local Trouble]

I thought Mark Verheiden managed to pull off a compelling story without her.

[OpenMaw]

I think many writers have pulled off fantastic stories in the alien universe without Ripley even being mentioned.

Labyrinth, Labyrinth, Labyrinth... The Day of the Dead of Alien stories.

[Scorpio]

It would have had Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen though to carry the torch though.

They're not leading men, they can't carry a movie and hope to sell tickets.

You have a leading lady in Sigourney Weaver, and a big budget movie, you don't dump her and use no name actors.  Just not done.

[SM]

I thought Mark Verheiden managed to pull off a compelling story without her.

You can pull off compelling stories.

The argument is that 'it's called Alien, not Ripley' is a bit ill informed though.

[The Cruentus]

It would have had Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen though to carry the torch though.

They're not leading men, they can't carry a movie and hope to sell tickets.

You have a leading lady in Sigourney Weaver, and a big budget movie, you don't dump her and use no name actors.  Just not done.

Says who?

Many great films have been done with no name actors. In fact Sigourney wasn't that well known during Alien. You don't need major A listers to make a good film, in fact having well known actors tends to reduce your budget that could otherwise be used for something else.

[SM]

She was probably the least know cast member of Alien.

[Local Trouble]

I thought Mark Verheiden managed to pull off a compelling story without her.

You can pull off compelling stories.

The argument is that 'it's called Alien, not Ripley' is a bit ill informed though.

To the detriment of the series, IMO, when Weaver gained a measure of creative control over it.

[SM]

It wasn't 'cos of her.

[Local Trouble]

Wasn't the "no guns" thing one of the demands she made of Alien 3?

[OpenMaw]

They're not leading men, they can't carry a movie and hope to sell tickets.

Michael Biehn isn't a leading man?

What?

....WHAT?

The Terminator? Hello? The dude had to carry that film on his shoulders. Not only did he have to deliver exposition, he had to deliver it backed by a lot of energy and try to pack in some kind of nuance. Almost all of the plot sits in his lap. Not to mention he's pretty much been a consistent performer and actor his entire career. Tombstone, Navy SEALs, The Abyss, Aliens, Planet Terror, Blood Dragon.

And Lance Hendrickson may not be a "leading man" but he is one helluva strong supporting actor and a worker. That guy put's it all in for his craft. Even people who dislike AVP 04, and the 2010 AVP game think Lance was a highlight at least.

Weaver didn't start as a draw. She was literally no one when they made Alien, and to be perfectly honest if the behind the scenes situation is anything to go by it could have very easily gone the other way for Weaver.

If ALIEN III went ahead in 1989 or 1990 with Lance and Biehn, it would have done just fine.

Wasn't the "no guns" thing one of the demands she made of Alien 3?

She wanted one alien, no guns, and to die. She also wanted to have sex with the Alien since Aliens. She wanted the death scene too, but Cameron said no to that.

[SM]

Wasn't the "no guns" thing one of the demands she made of Alien 3?

Demands is probably churching it up a bit.

[Local Trouble]

I'm well known for churching.

[SiL]

She demanded the same from Aliens.