Alien 3: Why It Almost Drove David Fincher Out of Hollywood

Was Alien 3 truly a career-altering experience for David Fincher? The troubled production of the third installment in the Alien franchise almost led the acclaimed director to abandon Hollywood filmmaking altogether, marking a pivotal moment in his career trajectory.

Following the success of Ridley Scott and James Cameron's Alien films, taking on Alien 3 was a daunting task, resulting in years of development challenges. Numerous directors, including Renny Harlin and Vincent Ward, attempted to bring their visions to life, but faced constant rejection of their ideas.

Ultimately, David Fincher, known for his work on commercials and music videos like Madonna's "Vogue," was hired. However, the production of Alien 3 was plagued with issues: a constantly evolving script, clashes between Fincher and the producers, and ultimately, mixed reviews upon release. Fincher has rarely discussed the experience in the years since.

David Fincher's Dislike of Alien 3

During a 2009 conversation at the BFI, Fincher addressed his alleged hatred for Alien 3 with characteristic candor. He stated, "I had to work on it for two years, got fired off it three times and I had to fight for every single thing. No one hated it more than me; to this day, no one hates it more than me." He described the production as a "baptism by fire" and admitted to being naive at the time.

The documentary "Wreckage and Rage: Making Alien 3" chronicles the challenging filming process, highlighting the conflicting demands from the studio and producers, as well as the constantly rewritten screenplay. Despite the difficulties, many cast and crew members praised Fincher's efforts. Considering the tumultuous production, it's remarkable that Alien 3 turned out as well as it did. The extended cut is considered even better, despite Fincher's lack of involvement. Do you think this makes the extended cut better or worse?

Fincher himself described the filmmaking process for Alien 3 as messy, largely due to the struggle to find the right concept. Producers Walter Hill and David Giler sought a fresh premise, but ultimately grew hesitant about the "wooden planet" idea. They fired Vincent Ward and hired Fincher to merge Ward's concept with a prison planet screenplay. Fox, eager to release a new Alien film, refused to delay the release date. Thus, Fincher began production without a solid story, using sets designed for a discarded script and working with producers who lacked confidence in him.

For a director known for his perfectionism, this proved to be a torturous experience. The final product was far from Fincher's vision, and he bore the brunt of the criticism. Other directors considered for Alien 3 included Ridley Scott and Clive Barker. Time and budget constraints were constant issues, with cost overruns pushing the budget to an estimated $60 million. The ending of Alien 3 was even altered to avoid similarities with Terminator 2: Judgment Day.

Despite the challenges, Alien 3 has admirable qualities, including strong performances, sets, and visuals. However, the story remains a muddled mess. Had Fincher been given the freedom to create the Alien film he envisioned, it might have been a masterpiece. Instead, he was placed in an unwinnable situation to ensure the film's release. While it remains a commendable effort, the experience left Fincher deeply scarred.

David Fincher's Near Departure from Filmmaking

Following Alien 3, Fincher briefly returned to directing music videos. In an interview with Sight & Sound, he expressed his feelings after the film's release: "I didn’t read a script for a year and a half after that, I thought I’d rather die of colon cancer than do another movie." He resumed directing music videos, including Madonna's "Bad Girl." Given his success in that field, it could have become his permanent career.

After a year, Fincher considered directing again, realizing that directors who had made worse films still had careers. The screenplay for Se7en then came his way, altering the course of his career. What do you think inspired him to get back into the director's chair?

• Alien (1979)
• Aliens (1986)
• Alien 3 (1992)
• Alien Resurrection (1997)
• Alien vs Predator (2004)
• Alien vs Predator: Requiem (2007)
• Prometheus (2012)
• Alien: Covenant (2017)
• Alien: Romulus (2024)

Alien 3 Didn't Derail David Fincher's Career

Even critics who appreciated Alien 3 likely didn't foresee Fincher becoming a renowned auteur. His work on Se7en, a dark thriller about detectives tracking a killer inspired by the seven deadly sins, changed perceptions. Se7en was a commercial success and is now considered a classic. Fincher developed a reputation for demanding numerous takes and uncompromising vision, which has benefited him. Any negative associations from Alien 3 have long dissipated, though it would be satisfying to see him reconcile with his debut.

Fincher has directed numerous modern masterpieces, including Fight Club, Zodiac, and The Social Network. Even his "lesser" works are highly regarded. While any stigma attached to Fincher following Alien 3 is gone, it would be positive to see him make peace with his first film. He is unlikely to re-edit it, but the film is better than he acknowledges. Fincher is set to reunite with Brad Pitt for The Continuing Adventures of Cliff Booth, a spinoff of Quentin Tarantino's Once Upon a Time in Hollywood. Though unlikely, it would be intriguing to see him revisit the horror genre.

In conclusion, the production challenges and critical reception of Alien 3 significantly impacted David Fincher's early career. Despite the difficulties, he persevered, becoming one of the most celebrated filmmakers of his generation. While Alien 3 may remain a source of frustration for Fincher, it serves as a testament to his resilience and eventual triumph in Hollywood.