AlthoughAlien 3remains perhaps the most divisive entry intheAlienmovie franchise, one of the film’s undoubted strengths is its stellar cast. Alongside series staple Sigourney Weaver, David Fincher’s oft-maligned 1992 sequel features the likes of Charles S. Dutton, Pete Postlethwaite, and Lance Henriksen – helping to elevate some of the movie’s more questionable material. Yet while the final cast remains an imposing collection of acting talent, one casting decision preventedAlien 3from becoming a reunion for a classic 1987 comedy.
Aside from Ripley herself, perhaps the most important character in the movie is Jonathan Clemens. Portrayed by Charles Dance (famous for his performance as Tywin Lannister inGame of Thrones)Clemens is a tragic figure haunted by the demons of his past. While his battles with addiction resulted in his incarceration on Fiorina 161, he is an unmistakable ally for Ripley in an overtly hostile environment. However, central though Dance is toAlien 3’s story, David Fincher’s original plan for Clemens would have simultaneously changed the character and reunited the cast of an iconic 92%-rated comedy.
Alien 3 Almost Brought The Leads From Withnail And I Back Together
David Fincher Wanted Richard E. Grant
In the 2010Alien AnthologyDVD release forAlien 3, it was revealed that director David Fincher originally had another actor in mind for Clemens, before Dance assumed the role. Had the director gotten his way, the part would have gone to Richard E. Grant – the Academy Award-nominated actor known for his roles in projects likeLoki,Saltburn, andCan You Ever Forgive Me?While Dance was eventually cast,Grant’s involvement would have both fundamentally alteredAlien 3and made the film an unofficial reunion for the beloved 80s flickWithnail and I.
Why Alien 3 Killed Off Hicks & Newt
Aliens introduced the beloved characters of Hicks and Newt, and while they both survived the film, Alien 3 unceremoniously killed them off.
The 1987 movie, directed by Bruce Robinson, was Grant’s breakout role and saw him play the degenerate, alcoholic, cowardly yet surprisingly charismatic Withnail. Grant appeared opposite fellow film debutant Paul McGann, who played the titular “I”, and up-and-comer Ralph Brown, who memorably appeared as chaotic drug dealer Danny. Given that both McGann and Brown featured prominently inAlien 3, as Golic and Francis “85” Aaron respectively,Grant’s involvement would have broughtWithnail and I’s three core characters back together on screen for the first time.
How Richard E. Grant Would’ve Changed Alien 3
He Would Have Brought A Very Different Energy To The Role
It might seem on the surface that there’s not much to connect Grant’s performance as Withnail toClemens inAlien 3. WhileWithnail and Ihas its moments of darkness, it is nowhere near as tonally bleak as Fincher’s film and is completely devoid of horror. That said, some interesting parallels demonstrate how the film could have changed with Grant’s involvement.
While Clemens is portrayed as a reformed soul who takes full responsibility for the damage he has caused in the past, Withnail is an agent of chaos whose addictions manifest in incredibly bizarre ways.
For one thing, both Clemens and Withnail struggle with substance abuse. While Clemens is portrayed as a reformed soul who takes full responsibility for the damage he has caused in the past, Withnail is an agent of chaos whose addictions manifest in incredibly bizarre ways. In some respects, the characters are mirrors – despite appearing in very different contexts.Having Grant play both could have provided a fascinating contrast for the audience, perhaps even retrospectively imbuing Withnail with even more tragedy.
It’s also likely that, as a performer, Grant would have brought a very different energy to the role. While incredibly accomplished,he is notably more theatrical than Dance, whose understated empathy played a key role in defining Clemens. Although it might seem like such understatement was more in keeping withAlien 3’s generally melancholy tone, it might also have been the case that Grant’s energy could have infused the story with the vitality it so badly needed, perhaps improving the divisive end result.
Why Richard E. Grant Didn’t Appear In Alien 3
It Was Symbolic Of Bigger Issues With The Production
Despite the possibilities for Grant’s involvement, Fincher’s plans were ultimately vetoed by the studio. In a 2022 interview withAOL, Ralph Brown confirmed thatFincher – who was a die-hardWithnail and Ifan – had originally wanted to use the movie’s entire cast, including Richard Griffiths. However, despite Fincher’s enthusiasm for the plan, higher-ups intervened. As Brown explained: “He wanted to cast Richard [E. Grant] as Dr Clemens and had quite a big punch-up with the studio about it. David was a Withnail aficionado right from the off and was probably part of spreading it around Hollywood.”
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The fact that Fincher didn’t get his way with casting Grant is emblematic of bigger problems withinAlien 3. The movie has become notorious for the behind-the-scenes chaos that dogged production. Fincher faced constant interference from the studio and has since disowned the version that reached theaters. While it’s impossible to say what impact Richard E. Grant’s involvement would have had, his casting would have been indicative of a more conciliatory approach that, unfortunately, was clearly absent in 1992.
