20 Things You Didn't Know About Aliens
10. The Knife Scene Was Kept Secret From Bill Paxton
Originally, Lance Henriksen, who played Bishop, was to stab a knife between his own fingers as a show of Bishops skill and dexterity.
Henrikson suggested to Cameron to put Bill's hand on top of his while doing this. Cameron agreed, and told the rest of the crew this was going to happen. Everybody except Paxton.
So the terrified reaction from Paxton in the film? That is 100% genuine, and why the scene works on so many levels. It displays Bishop's potential as an Android, and Hudson's macho personality was just a front when faced with truly terrifying situations.