One Yard Away: Behind the Scenes of the Iconic '80s Sci-Fi Movie Remake That Almost Was

Summary

Director Jeff Nichols opens up about the scrapped Alien Nation remake, calling it a "heartbreaker" and revealing the progress they had made before it was scrapped.

Nichols dedicated four years to the project, putting together a script and assembling a cast that was all set to begin production. Unfortunately, the project was ultimately cancelled. Despite this setback, Nichols remains optimistic that the script can be adapted into a film by Paramount, although it may not be the anticipated Alien Nation remake.

The director of the ill-fated remake of the cult '80s science-fiction movie Alien Nation recalls its unfortunate fate. Alien Nation, directed by Graham Baker and starring James Caan, Mandy Patinkin, Terence Stamp, and Kevyn Major Howard, was released in 1988. The plot of the movie envisions an alternate reality in 1988 where humans encounter aliens for the first time and subsequently integrate the two societies over the next three years. At one point, director Jeff Nichols was attached to the project to remake this sci-fi cult classic, but the plans for the remake have since been abandoned.

During a conversation with Josh Horowitz on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast, Nichols discusses the scrapped Alien Nation remake, describing its cancellation as a "heartbreaker." The director explains that they were very close to completing the project, with a finished script and cast "ready to go" before it was ultimately abandoned. See the complete quote from Nichols below:

“On the Alien Nation front, it was truly a heart-wrenching experience. This is one of the key factors that has caused a significant delay in my next film project. I dedicated a considerable four years of my life to it. We were so close to the finish line, with a fully assembled cast and everything ready to go, but for some reason, the universe had other plans and prevented me from proceeding at that moment. It's quite intriguing because it was an original story that I carefully crafted, and they insistently wanted to attach the Alien Nation title to it. Thankfully, now that script has made its way to Paramount without any title obligations. Once the strike is lifted, I will be able to resume my work on it. It's astonishing and exhilarating to have spent such a long time working on something, creating an entire alien civilization and all the intricate elements that come with it. However, it is set in Arkansas and truly feels like one of my own films, but the production costs may be substantial. So, it could potentially become the most challenging experience I have ever encountered. Nonetheless, I am wholeheartedly eager to bring that film to life.”

The History Of Jeff Nichols’ Alien Nation Remake Explained

Nichols has directed numerous films spanning various genres, both within and outside the realm of science fiction. Some notable examples include Take Shelter, Loving, and Midnight Special. Building on the success of these sci-fi films, Nichols made headlines in 2016 with the announcement of his involvement in the Alien Nation project. However, he later clarified that this movie was not a straightforward remake of the 1988 sci-fi buddy cop film. Instead, it formed part of a larger concept that he had envisioned, one that Fox was eager to associate with the Alien Nation brand.

Nichols agreed to title his project as such with the hope of increasing its chances of becoming a reality. However, the movie was met with significant production difficulties, including being suggested as a potential ten-episode Alien Nation Disney series, before ultimately being abandoned. This abandonment proved to be a setback for Nichols as he struggled to create another film without the presence of this project.

Based on Nichols' statement, it appears that there is still hope for the script on which the Alien Nation movie is based, as it transitions to Paramount. Although there may be changes in the studio and potential delays in production, there is a possibility of witnessing another genre-blending sci-fi creation from Nichols. While the pre-development film may not be a direct Alien Nation remake, it is anticipated that it will overcome the hurdles faced in its previous development phase.

Source: Josh Horowitz