25 Things You Didn't Know About Alien

19. Sigourney Weaver Was Almost Recast Because Of A Possible Cat Allergy

Alien Xenomorph
20th Century Fox

On the first day that Sigourney Weaver shot a scene alongside Jones the cat, she began reacting extremely badly, her skin itching and breaking out in a rash - leading her to fear that she may be allergic to cats.

As Jones was actually played by 4 different but identical-looking cats, each of which fulfilled different "dramatic" roles, the crew felt it would be easier to recast Ripley than to find another 4 identical cats.

Luckily, it transpired that Weaver was not allergic to cats at all, and the reaction was to glycerin sprayed on her skin to simulate sweat.

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Neo-noir enjoyer, lover of the 1990s Lucasarts adventure games and detractor of just about everything else. An insufferable, over-opinionated pillock.