10 Long-Gestating Movie Sequels That Were Worth The Wait
4. Aliens
Years Waited: 7
Ridley Scott's original Alien was a seminal sci-fi/horror classic. It gave the birth to one of the most iconic monster designs in film history, with H.R. Geiger's Xenomorph, and inspired countless imitators. So when it came time to craft a follow-up and the studio opted to go with the script written by the man whose only directorial credit at the time was Pirahna 2, it didn't exactly inspire confidence.
But that director of Piranha 2 would go on to release another film shortly after signing on to make Aliens, called The Terminator, and little James Cameron was already well on his way to becoming a household name.
Aliens sees Cameron taking everything about the first film and cranking it up to 11. Where there was only one creature, there are now dozens. Where there was only a handful of victims, now there's an entire colony. Where there was claustrophobic horror rooted in suspense, there are now big-stakes action set-pieces.
The most inspired choice Cameron made was with regards to Sigourney Weaver's Ripley. Seeing her go from a horrified PTSD-rattled lone survivor to one of the most kickass female protagonists in film history is an incredibly fulfilling character arc that anchors the entire film in genuine emotion.