# In 1985, Steven Spielberg tried to ruin one of the greatest sci-fi movies ever made: “I know what to do”

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/in-1985-steven-spielberg-tried-to-ruin-one-of-the-greatest-sci-fi-movies-ever-made-i-know-what-to-do/
- Published: 2026-10-29T17:45:00+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T19:50:51+00:00
- Original publisher: Far Out
- Original article: https://faroutmagazine.co.uk/steven-spielberg-tried-ruin-greatest-sci-fi-movies-ever-made/
- Topics: Entertainment, Film

## Key points

- Spielberg proposed a sympathetic alien for Cameron’s sequel.
- Cameron chose an action-led direction for *Aliens*.
- Spielberg later agreed his suggestion was a mistake.

## Summary

Steven Spielberg once suggested that James Cameron make the alien in his planned sequel to *Alien* a misunderstood creature hunted by humans. Cameron did not follow the idea, and instead made *Aliens* an action-focused film that contrasted with Ridley Scott’s original.

The conversation took place in 1985, when Cameron was developing the sequel after *The Terminator* brought him wider attention. Spielberg later acknowledged the suggestion was better left unused; the article argues Cameron’s approach helped make *Aliens* a celebrated science-fiction film.

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Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.