While working on the movie Chappie; Neill Blomkamp had some ideas about what movie he wanted to make next when he had breaks from shooting,- something close to his heart as a filmmaker and as a fan is… the Alien franchise.
He released numerous art concepts which instantly trended on the internet and brought with it a wave of excitement that now seems to have resulted in 20th Century Fox taking the idea more seriously and negotiations could already be underway to green-light the project.
So when Neill revealed artwork for an Alien 5 starring Michael Biehn and Sigourney Weaver we were instantly on board as fans!
Even with us being Terminator orientated it struck a huge chord with us at the moment as Terminator is being rebooted or the new term ‘reset’ something we never wanted to happen,- as we spent years discussing viable ways a sequel could be made involving Schwarzenegger, Biehn, Hamilton, Patrick and other possible cast members.
If Alien 5 remains ‘canon’ and is an R Rated sequel to a previous installment Alien 5 will become a landmark movie and will be doing something different to other studio sheep out there; Hollywood playing safe is ruining the industry. 90% of reboots and remakes need to go away and get Terminated. We have been waiting a long time for something like this to happen in Hollywood and we have also delved into the fact that the studio willing to take the risk will be vastly rewarded in the long run! 20th Century Fox now has that chance.
AMALGAMATED DYNAMICS, INC (ADI) are responsible for practical Alien creature effects on Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection including the AVP series. They are the right people for this project without question.
One of the concepts Neill Blomkamp shared with the world has become a physical reality…
This fantastic make-up test was done by David Woodruff (expect to hear this name much more in future). The man in the make-up is his father Tom Woodruff (a VFX legend to the Terminator and Alien series) and we were intrigued to find out more…
David Woodruff did the make-up test through his company Generation Effects, Inc. in association and supported by ADI.
David kindly took time out around his birthday to speak to us, this genuinely shows his passion and love where Alien 5 is concerned.
In our talk, David explained that a full photo-shoot took place centering around a make-up test of the Hicks character. Should the movie happen Michael Biehn would undergo the same process in the make-up chair before shooting scenes in the 5th Alien movie.
David Woodruff answers some Alien 5 questions asked by TheTerminatorFans.com
Neill’s artwork was obviously a direct inspiration for the make-up test you performed on your father, this has obviously taken off on the internet and is something fans want. In a market where fans are barely listened to; how important is it (to you as an obvious fan of the series) that Hollywood give fans THIS MOVIE (Alien 5)?
Whether it be a direct sequel or not I think a truly horror themed, gritty R rated Alien franchise film is needed. Something in the vein of Alien and Aliens, or the first two Terminators for that matter… I don’t feel cleaned up PG-13 takes are needed… And let’s face it, kids are going to R rated movies now anyway… Why not give everyone what they want?!
Was that photo taken at ADI?
Shot on original Alien Resurrection set walls in the ADI display room.
The Hicks costume, was it newly created?
The armor is actually Michael Beihn’s armor from Aliens!
What were the main make-up applications of the facial damage?
Makeup was silicone encapsulated in cap plastic both by PCS Composites. Applied with Telesis 7 silicone adhesive and painted with Skin Illustrator and Glazing Sprays all by PPI Premiere Products Inc.
Michael Biehn hasn’t really had a fair deal in terms of franchises- as his characters usually die. Hicks was something he wanted to sink his teeth into more as an actor (and was pissed when they killed him off in Alien 3). but this time around he would have some exhausting hours in a make-up chair, how long did it take to apply all the make-up and costume on your father and will this be an exhausting process for Biehn?
I think it took about 2 and a half hours. I would have liked a little more time as there were a couple things I had to bail on. That’s the thing about makeups and having test time. The more often you apply the same makeup the quicker it goes because you find a rhythm. The arm burns could also be printed as temporary tattoos and take less than 5 minutes so I’d only have to focus on making the face look good.
It looks fantastic already, you’ve obviously grown up in the industry with your father being on Stan Winston’s team on the best Terminator movies. What age did you realize this is what you wanted to do for your career?
I actually just found my fifth grade yearbook and by everyone’s picture they listed what that kid wanted to be when they grow up. Mine simply said “special effects.” I grew up in it and it’s always been a fascinating thing to me. Overall I just love movies and creating characters and I want to get into directing but that coupled with the genetic artistic bug led me in this direction for the time being.
Alien 5 Tom Woodruff in Hicks Make-UpAMALGAMATED DYNAMICS, INC has been responsible for pioneering effects in Alien 3 onwards (including) AvP… you’re no stranger to the franchise; having already worked on the creature effects of AVP2… have you heard where AVP is at now in terms of a trilogy and do you think another installment could happen in the near future?
I haven’t heard anything about a 3rd installment, not even rumors. This Neill Blomkamp project is the first possibility I’ve seen or heard of of another Alien film and I’m all about it. I know the guys at Amalgamated Dynamics are pushing for something like this too. It’s time.
Carolco and Orion are back… there are already talks of a Terminator reboot beyond the new trilogy. From what we can see a revolution is coming as CGI is wavering in popularity and movies that now spike interest are more story based/practical effect driven. Do you think it is a possibility that one day the Terminator series could return to its full R Rated glory? Maybe Kyle Reese (Michael Biehn) could return once again ?
Yes. Definitely. I think effects in general are starting to form a flow, practical and digital working together,- at least that’s what I’m pushing for and starting to do. I’d also heard that Jim Cameron would ‘helm’ said reboot and who better to bring it back on track?
Thanks for speaking to us David and doing what you do to keep the dreams of fans alive! Many fans worldwide would love to see your work continue into a theatrical production and we love your bloody T-800 make-up! If Blomkamp doesn’t want to direct this movie then maybe David Woodruff could also be an interesting choice.
Fans really want this movie to happen, how many times will studios doggedly avoid giving fans what they want? It is beyond logic and shows a arrogance lacking in vision. Green-light it 20th Century Fox; give fans of the Alien franchise what they want and make it a bloody horror, sci-fi masterpiece… they will love you for it.
One last thing… can we have the excellent Gale Anne Hurd on board as a producer! She would do good things for this movie like she did with the first two Terminator movies and Aliens. Her and Biehn combined = box office gold.
David Woodruff might be back doing more tests if Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen are willing to participate as Hicks and Bishop. The door is open… Demand Hicks (Biehn) and Bishop (Henriksen) return for a make-up test in the comments below.
Alien 5 could become reality with strong united fan support.
Project credits:
Project conceived by Neill Blomkamp
Concept of Michael Biehn as Hicks by Geoffroy Thoorens
Make-Up and costume test conducted by Generation Effects, Inc. in association and supported by AMALGAMATED DYNAMICS, INC.
Thanks and credit to the guys at PCS Composites and PPI Premiere Products for materials that allowed this to happen.
Photography done by James Pratt
Application and station pics by Connor Woodruff
Terminator Make-Up by David Woodruff and Ian Cromer for the 30th Anniversary of The Terminator.