There were always bound to be some casualties from the Disney and Fox merger. While the canceled Mouse Guard film was one of the most prominent Fox projects cancelled by Disney, it’s not the only one. Via The Hollywood Reporter, the Alien Nation remake is the latest victim to get “paused” by Disney.
Jeff Nichols (Mud, Midnight Special) was hired by Fox in 2016 to write and direct the new take on Alien Nation. Graham Baker directed the first film in 1988; which was written by Farscape creator Rockne S. O’Bannon. The remake would have kept the same premise and explored a near future where alien refugees came to Earth and become second-class citizens on the planet. As in the original film, the first alien to become a police detective would have been forced to team up with a racist cop to solve a deadly mystery.
RELATED: Disney Cancels 20th Century Fox’s Mouse Guard Film
James Caan played the human cop, Matthew Sykes, in the film. Mandy Patinkin also starred in the movie as Sykes’ alien partner, Sam Francisco. While the film was modestly successful, Alien Nation made a larger impact as a TV series on Fox in 1989. Although the show was canceled after only a single season, Fox revived it for a series of five made-for-TV movies.
THR’s report indicates that Alien Nation “will very likely be revisited down the road in some capacity.” But given Disney’s decision, it probably won’t be happening in the near future.
Do you think an Alien Nation remake should still go forward? Or is this project better suited for television? Let us know in the comment section below!
Recommended Viewing: Alien Nation – The Complete Series
