I think I remember reading in an interview with O'Bannon, likely linked from hn when he died, that he came up with the idea for Alien after experiencing a cinema audience in terrified silence through the elevator scene, instead of the intended laughs. Something along the lines of "if I can't make them laugh but make them fear without even trying, what if I do try?" If there's and truth to this story, Alien is quite literally a remake of a Dark Star side story, just pivoted a bit.
Never heard about that Jodorowsky angle before, thanks. Must be the most influencial movie that never happened.
Never heard about that Jodorowsky angle before, thanks. Must be the most influencial movie that never happened.