Michael Biehn & Ricco Ross discuss Michael replacing James Remar on James Cameron's Aliens (1986)

I'm surprised Staff Sergeant Al Mathews (Apone) didn't handle all of that. He was a United States Marine.

All I want to know is did James Remar’s Hicks like the cornbread???

Another remake? What ever happen to creative minds? DEI happened. Nuff said.

great interview, this movies hidden gem, great movie

Michael, a sincere THANK you for all your work! I grew up on your films, cheers from Sweden! 😊

To go with Michael's smile, Sgt. Apone's big laugh and smile followed with, "Bay 12, please." also added a ton to Al Matthews character. All we've seen of him up to that scene is a hardass leader staying on top of his soldiers only for it to switch to amusement, being impressed by Ripley's action and showing her politeness. I also saw in another comment Hicks and Apone are the only ones to take Ripley's description of the xenomorph seriously which is another great subtle way to establish characters.

It'd be pretty cool if you could get James Remar on your podcast. He's had a great career worth discussing & I'd love to hear his how he wanted to approach the role of Hicks.

ya the popsicle bat man is still working, i was surprised to see him in Oppenheimer.

Ricco Ross also appeared in the Doctor Who episode 'Greatest Show in the Galaxy.'

Good looking youngens always end up ugly asf.

So Renmar was playing Hicks as more bombastic then? Can’t imagine it, would have really changed the whole movie.

Great Stories 🙂 🎉

Well shit, let's get him in for one of those Ridley Scott sequels.

Great insights and great to see Mike being happy and laughing

I guess he didnt like the cornbread either

Michael can barely speak. What’s he going through?

Thank you both for creating these truly memorable characters. The thing I love about Aliens is that you remember all the supporting characters because you've spent damn near half the movie with 'em and they were so believable and likeable. Even if you didn't really see them but heard their name (WEIRZBOWSKIIIII!!!!!!!) you remember them. I wonder what happened to that nurse that took care of Ripley at the beginning.

"There's more than one way..." Yes. What you should've learned is you aren't special & a few thousand people can replace you.

I think of it the same way as Eric Stoltz and BTTF. The final product is great as is, but I'd also love to see the other version out of curiosity.

Lol lol His character and the Black Sargent were useless in that movie just like Ernie Hudson in Ghostbusters

Jesus Michael Baine has a channel man subbed

Man if Only Bill Paxton was still here (RIP Mr Paxton you were a wonderful actor) to hear some stories from both of you wow. Any chance your going to get Janette Goldstein aka Vasquez on for a chat

Wtf ... Subscribed

"Hey, what the hell are we supposed to use, man? Harsh language?"

"Frost, you got the duty. Open that bag." , "Thanks alot, sahge."

Ya, the "close encounters" line is super famous, and for good reason, but Frost had some great low-key moments in this movie too.

Rock on, Biehn and Ross. 🍻

Well done lads great sit down.

Yeah, I guess that's true... Biehn plays Hicks as quietly competent rather than as someone who inspires the other marines in a bold way. Hudson does all the bragging; Hicks is just good at his job, a good people person, and comes across as being an intelligent NCO and capable planner (when the leadership role falls to him he steps up and does it well), so it makes sense that he's Apone's #2.

If I were to guess at who the smartest marines were, it would probably be Hicks, Apone, Dietrich and Ferro. I would want those four on my Sulaco pub quiz team.

Is this Sgt. Apone?

Can't stop looking at that street fighter cabinet.. Still, great to hear these guys talk about the movie.

This was awesome, thanks fellas. One thing about ALIENS that gets doesn't get enough discussion imho, are the narrative arcs of each of the ensemble. If you think about it, the only character that makes it through most of the run time that doesn't have really have one - is Vasquez. She is portrayed as a badass start to end. Even friggin' Gorman gets redeemed, albeit slightly.

Wouldn’t have been the same. There is a coldness to that other dude.

Frost and Hicks together again!

what are we supposed to use? Harsh language?

"I guess she doesn't like the cornbread either." Best delivery ever!

I remember that scene being so impactful where Hicks said his "Yeah" to agree with Ripley that he's in charge.

Just one line and his acting spoke so much to me. When I 1st saw it I took it to mean "yeah I'm charge, but that means that so many of my friends have died so I could be in charge. I hate that I'm charge because of what that reality means." 😔

Amazing performance, that movie, that cast, what an incredible film!!!

I love Hicks, stay frosty!

Thanks MB for visiting Adelaide, Australia at the Supernova or Comicon.

Great chat with Rico and Michael. Took my brother and sister to a comi-con once, and Michael Biehn was talking on a panel about Aliens. He was brilliant, he's the real deal top class actor and seems a nice guy to. Best wishes all.

I didn't know he had a podcast

Michael Biehn has a presence about him. He was great in Terminator and Aliens

Ringo will be remembered for a 1000+ years.
Johnny Ringo too, likely, thanks to Mike's legendary performance in Tombstone :)

*Hicks pulls out shotgun"
Hicks: I like to keep this handy...for close encounters
Frost: I heard that!

Al Matthews wasn't English..
Born in Brooklyn, he just lived and worked a lo in the UK

Hicks wasn’t GOING to fly off the handle - he was trained, calm, capable, focused, and frosty as hell. Rational thinking beats overreacting every time. Except maybe for the Hulk lol 🤘

Fantastic clip, great insight from great actors about such a legendary movie ! instant subscribe!!

I turned 40 this year and it breaks my heart to see more and more famous faces from my childhood leave us like Paxton. So many amazing memories. These classics also take me back to a time that was probably just better than now.

Maybe we got em demoralised

😁 ❤

If a character is low key, then when they raise their voice or take strong action you notice it more than a gruff character. When Hicks grabs Burke and says something like "alright, we waste him. No offense" it's very jarring. Hicks was a really cool character and then he dies off-camera.

Mike is absolutely right. He was a corporal which is a specialist in the army, and him sleeping was dead on!!! They don't call the rank a sham shield for nothing. The sgt is here and i outrank the rest so i have no responsibility ... snooze. And yes Hicks would turn to ripley for advice because of her experience and her flight status was renewed for going so she is a Lt. As far as he is concerned all decisions go through her and him and that's it. Good on Cameron and Mike for recognizing that. An Nco always obeys his officer, but an officer that doesn't seek advice from his nco's is a bad fucking officer. When I was an Lt. I loved talking to my wise sgt major ... I respected his experience so much that I honestly don't remember ever giving him an order; and maybe that's why he liked me and hated the rest. I would ask what do you think sgt maj...after his input which was always sound, i'd ask do you need anything from me to execute. He'd just smile and say you'll be the first to know sir. Guy was a living badass. Rippley was a great officer she knew everyone , but Burke would back her, but she put her trust in the combat nco with combat experience...That's rare stuff.

Michael Biehn is the man!!! A idol. Man so many great movies

Aliens wouldnt work without Biehn playing Hicks, especially his chemistry with his friend Bill Paxton.