<![CDATA[An Alien in Hollywood - Ronald Shusett]]>b040b149-f1f5-5dc5-808a-36882bff9e0bSat, 31 Jan 2026 17:57:48 +0000Captivate.fmHarry Duranhttps://artwork.captivate.fm/34eed8b7-d712-4fe7-adb7-ee6f8c4c20f3/aihcoverartapr25.jpgAn Alien in Hollywood - Ronald ShusettHarry DuranHarry DuranAn Alien in Hollywood is the story about the life and times of legendary filmmaker and “Godfather of Hollywood science fiction” Ronald Shusett. Unless you’re a Hollywood behind-the-scenes aficionado you've probably never heard of Ron. He is no less than the man who co-created, wrote, and produced three of the most influential, iconic and mind-blowing science fiction blockbusters in film history – Alien, Total Recall and Minority Report. His movies have grossed over one and a half billion dollars, have launched the careers of Sigourney Weaver and Ridley Scott, and turned Arnold Schwarzenegger into the #1 box office star in the world. Ron has been the inspiration for filmmakers like J.J. Abrams and James Cameron, and he made author Phillip K. Dick a household name. With the release of “Alien” Ron and his partner Dan O’Bannon spawned the “Alien Universe” and the first movie franchise in history. The series is hosted by Harry Duran and Robin Maxwell. Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes Podcast Artwork by Barbara Mastejhttp://analieninhollywood.comfalseepisodichttps://feeds.captivate.fm/an-alien-in-hollywood/nopodcast5: Total Recall - The Schwarzenegger EffectTotal Recall - The Schwarzenegger Effect
  • 00:15 – Robin recalls the story of how she met Ron Shusett
  • 03:57 – Preproduction in Mexico City during the summer of 1989
  • 05:15 – Ron recounts a funny exchange with Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • 07:27 – Early days of set building
  • 09:52 – Special effects in Total Recall
  • 14:35 – Ron’s thoughts on the gratuitous violence in Total Recall
  • 18:20 – Ron recalls others attempting to throw him off the set
  • 26:12 – How Arnold stood up for Ron and prevented his firing
  • 27:58 – Making a spectacular film without CGI
  • 29:16 – Shooting a key scene in Total Recall
  • 33:23 – The inspiration behind the ‘Face on Mars’
  • 34:47 – Ron talks about the Total Recall remake
  • 37:55 – How Ron felt before the release of Total Recall
  • 39:50 – The premiere

    • TWEETABLE QUOTES

    “The people who finances it [Total Recall] hated it. It’s just that they didn’t want to lose working with Arnold.” (04:49)

    “Anything that I felt strongly about, he [Verhoeven] would not try to force me to change.” (09:46)

    “They tried to fire me on ‘Alien.’ They tried to fire me on ‘Total Recall.’ And they couldn’t on either case. I showed them that I would not use my power against them. I had a powerful connection with Arnold, but I would never put them in a position where Arnold’s on my side and he’s gonna overrule you. I wanted both parties.” (26:40)

    “They were so talented; they could do effects that work today as good as any movie ever because they were so skilled at what they did. So, it gets down to if you have the right people, it’s much more important than any technology you’ve got.” (28:52)

    “It seems like the idiots of the world conspire to stop people who have too much vision.” (32:56)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>
  • 00:15 – Robin recalls the story of how she met Ron Shusett
  • 03:57 – Preproduction in Mexico City during the summer of 1989
  • 05:15 – Ron recounts a funny exchange with Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • 07:27 – Early days of set building
  • 09:52 – Special effects in Total Recall
  • 14:35 – Ron’s thoughts on the gratuitous violence in Total Recall
  • 18:20 – Ron recalls others attempting to throw him off the set
  • 26:12 – How Arnold stood up for Ron and prevented his firing
  • 27:58 – Making a spectacular film without CGI
  • 29:16 – Shooting a key scene in Total Recall
  • 33:23 – The inspiration behind the ‘Face on Mars’
  • 34:47 – Ron talks about the Total Recall remake
  • 37:55 – How Ron felt before the release of Total Recall
  • 39:50 – The premiere

    • TWEETABLE QUOTES

    “The people who finances it [Total Recall] hated it. It’s just that they didn’t want to lose working with Arnold.” (04:49)

    “Anything that I felt strongly about, he [Verhoeven] would not try to force me to change.” (09:46)

    “They tried to fire me on ‘Alien.’ They tried to fire me on ‘Total Recall.’ And they couldn’t on either case. I showed them that I would not use my power against them. I had a powerful connection with Arnold, but I would never put them in a position where Arnold’s on my side and he’s gonna overrule you. I wanted both parties.” (26:40)

    “They were so talented; they could do effects that work today as good as any movie ever because they were so skilled at what they did. So, it gets down to if you have the right people, it’s much more important than any technology you’ve got.” (28:52)

    “It seems like the idiots of the world conspire to stop people who have too much vision.” (32:56)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    ca6b628c-a6e9-491b-af67-729d346458ceMon, 11 Nov 2019 17:56:00 -050040:46falsefull55In this episode of An Alien in Hollywood, co-hosts Harry Duran and best-selling author Robin Maxwell continue chronicling the story behind Ron Shusett’s classic film, Total Recall. Ron discusses early days of preproduction in Mexico City as well as his relationship with Arnold Schwarzenegger. He recounts the many obstacles he faced while making this film, including toning down the amount of violence and dealing with those who tried to have him removed. Finally, Ron speaks to his thoughts and feelings leading up and following the release of Total Recall.    4: Total Recall - Early DaysTotal Recall - Early Days
  • 00:14 – Robin and Harry introduce the topic of today’s episode, Rom Shusett’s Total Recall
  • 03:28 – The decision to buy the rights to Philip K. Dick’s short story
  • 10:00 – First steps to making Total Recall
  • 11:34 – Dan O’Bannon’s involvement
  • 12:54 – Challenges with Disney
  • 17:29 – Meeting with famed producer, Dino De Laurentiis
  • 19:47 – The unique deal that Ron made with Dino
  • 24:01 – The issue with the credits
  • 26:36 – Ron recalls visiting a ‘spiritualist’
  • 30:08 – The number of directors that, at one point, worked on Total Recall
  • 32:35 – Working with David Cronenberg
  • 33:14 – Financial roadblocks
  • 34:06 – From Richard Dreyfuss to Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • 35:52 – Landing the star director, Paul Verhoeven

    • TWEETABLES

    “Alien had changed everything, not just in the sci-fi horror genre. It raised the bar in quality special effects, excellence in story-telling and sheer cinematic terror. And, of course, it made Sigourney Weaver an overnight sensation.” (00:27)

    “Nothing you can see will awe you when there’ve been so many special effects. You can’t thrill the audience any more than that, because you can never do anything more amazing than you’ve seen in other movies.” (15:04)

    “I knew that I was never gonna make a deal unless Dino would give me a credit with him. I didn’t want it instead of him.” (24:54)

    “All of a sudden, when I had nobody but Arnold [Schwarzenegger], he did back-to-back the first ‘Predator’ and ‘Twins.’ And he became number one box office in the world.” (35:25)

    “And so between Arnold [Schwarzenegger] and [Paul] Verhoeven, well that’s ow the movie got made. I had the star and I had the director.” (36:34)

    LINKS MENTIONED

    Robin’s Website – http://www.robinmaxwell.com/

    Robin’s Twitter – @TheRobinMaxwell https://twitter.com/therobinmaxwell

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>
  • 00:14 – Robin and Harry introduce the topic of today’s episode, Rom Shusett’s Total Recall
  • 03:28 – The decision to buy the rights to Philip K. Dick’s short story
  • 10:00 – First steps to making Total Recall
  • 11:34 – Dan O’Bannon’s involvement
  • 12:54 – Challenges with Disney
  • 17:29 – Meeting with famed producer, Dino De Laurentiis
  • 19:47 – The unique deal that Ron made with Dino
  • 24:01 – The issue with the credits
  • 26:36 – Ron recalls visiting a ‘spiritualist’
  • 30:08 – The number of directors that, at one point, worked on Total Recall
  • 32:35 – Working with David Cronenberg
  • 33:14 – Financial roadblocks
  • 34:06 – From Richard Dreyfuss to Arnold Schwarzenegger
  • 35:52 – Landing the star director, Paul Verhoeven

    • TWEETABLES

    “Alien had changed everything, not just in the sci-fi horror genre. It raised the bar in quality special effects, excellence in story-telling and sheer cinematic terror. And, of course, it made Sigourney Weaver an overnight sensation.” (00:27)

    “Nothing you can see will awe you when there’ve been so many special effects. You can’t thrill the audience any more than that, because you can never do anything more amazing than you’ve seen in other movies.” (15:04)

    “I knew that I was never gonna make a deal unless Dino would give me a credit with him. I didn’t want it instead of him.” (24:54)

    “All of a sudden, when I had nobody but Arnold [Schwarzenegger], he did back-to-back the first ‘Predator’ and ‘Twins.’ And he became number one box office in the world.” (35:25)

    “And so between Arnold [Schwarzenegger] and [Paul] Verhoeven, well that’s ow the movie got made. I had the star and I had the director.” (36:34)

    LINKS MENTIONED

    Robin’s Website – http://www.robinmaxwell.com/

    Robin’s Twitter – @TheRobinMaxwell https://twitter.com/therobinmaxwell

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    7767a82c-ce69-412d-91b9-80d1e68e4e4dSat, 02 Nov 2019 14:04:00 -050038:29falsefull44In this episode of An Alien in Hollywood, co-hosts Harry Duran best-selling author Robin Maxwell shift their focus to Ron Shusett’s other major accomplishment in film, Total Recall. Ron talks about the decision to purchase the rights to Philip K. Dick’s short story, We Can Remember It for You Wholesale to create Total Recall. He recalls roadblocks and challenges he overcame with Disney’s movie studios, producer Dino De Laurentiis, and a revolving door of actors and directors. Finally, Ron details the story of how he landed famed director, Paul Verhoeven, and up-and-coming action star, Arnold Schwarzenegger to headline his film.    3: Alien - Screening and ReleaseAlien - Screening and Release
  • 00:14 – Robin and Harry share their favorite moments and stories from the season thus far
  • 04:06 – Ron explains why he never used other films as inspiration for Alien
  • 04:45 – The creation of the adult Alien creature
  • 07:18 – How Ron’s editing advice led to one of the biggest scare scenes in Alien
  • 11:11 – Ron describes the feeling of seeing his words come to life on the set
  • 13:01 – Ron’s vision for the scene where Ripley escapes
  • 16:10 – The first screening of Alien
  • 18:23 – Meeting Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty
  • 19:14 – Ron speaks to the importance of the mood in Alien
  • 20:27 – A new genre combining science fiction and horror
  • 21:52 – How James Cameron convinced Fox to make a sequel to Alien
  • 23:19 – Wrapping up the final days of shooting Alien
  • 24:30 – Inviting Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to view the final product
  • 26:10 – Robin and Harry speak to the cultural impact and significance of the movie Alien

    • TWEETABLE QUOTES

    I just saw it as I wanted the mood of Jaws but in outer space.” (04:39)
    “This rubber suit was the most amazing suit I’d ever seen. It was so organic and so convincing. I knew right away it’s gonna look incredible on-screen cause on stage even when you knew it’s a rubber suit it scared the shit out of you.” (07:00)
    “And then I was so excited that I got one of the biggest scares that I used to sit with a chair at the front of the movie theater whenever they’d do that scene and watch the audience jump back.” (10:56)
    "The directors they had were good but they weren’t good enough to live up to Ridley and Giger’s work, to equal it.” (22:44)
    “Spielberg said it’s better than Jaws. Lucas said it’s better than Star Wars.” (25:02)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies and Vertical Farming Podcast

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>
  • 00:14 – Robin and Harry share their favorite moments and stories from the season thus far
  • 04:06 – Ron explains why he never used other films as inspiration for Alien
  • 04:45 – The creation of the adult Alien creature
  • 07:18 – How Ron’s editing advice led to one of the biggest scare scenes in Alien
  • 11:11 – Ron describes the feeling of seeing his words come to life on the set
  • 13:01 – Ron’s vision for the scene where Ripley escapes
  • 16:10 – The first screening of Alien
  • 18:23 – Meeting Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty
  • 19:14 – Ron speaks to the importance of the mood in Alien
  • 20:27 – A new genre combining science fiction and horror
  • 21:52 – How James Cameron convinced Fox to make a sequel to Alien
  • 23:19 – Wrapping up the final days of shooting Alien
  • 24:30 – Inviting Steven Spielberg and George Lucas to view the final product
  • 26:10 – Robin and Harry speak to the cultural impact and significance of the movie Alien

    • TWEETABLE QUOTES

    I just saw it as I wanted the mood of Jaws but in outer space.” (04:39)
    “This rubber suit was the most amazing suit I’d ever seen. It was so organic and so convincing. I knew right away it’s gonna look incredible on-screen cause on stage even when you knew it’s a rubber suit it scared the shit out of you.” (07:00)
    “And then I was so excited that I got one of the biggest scares that I used to sit with a chair at the front of the movie theater whenever they’d do that scene and watch the audience jump back.” (10:56)
    "The directors they had were good but they weren’t good enough to live up to Ridley and Giger’s work, to equal it.” (22:44)
    “Spielberg said it’s better than Jaws. Lucas said it’s better than Star Wars.” (25:02)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies and Vertical Farming Podcast

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    3e3b8971-76b9-4408-93e2-225029aa5e72Wed, 15 May 2019 16:42:00 -050027:52falsefull33In this episode of An Alien in Hollywood, co-hosts Harry Duran best-selling author Robin Maxwell broach the topics of both the screening and release of Alien with creator Ron Shusett. Ron stresses the important roles that editing, pacing and mood all played in the filming of Alien. Finally, Ron recounts some unbelievable moments including scaring Jack Nicholson and Warren Beatty and impressing Steven Spielberg and George Lucas with his film.    2: Alien - Nostromo, A Very Bloody BirthAlien - Nostromo, A Very Bloody BirthHighlights

    1. 00:16 – Robin tells the story of how she met Ron Shusett
    2. 02:58 – Introducing today’s episode, Alien: Nostromo
    3. 03:21 – Pre-production of Alien
    4. 04:56 – Casting Alien
    5. 05:46 – The controversy behind Sigourney Weaver landing the lead role of Ellen Ripley
    6. 09:27 – Figuring out the pacing of Alien
    7. 14:16 – An incredible crisis that developed among the actors of Alien
    8. 18:51 – Giving Hollywood executives an ultimatum
    9. 21:11 – The Chestburster Scene
    10. 25:29 – Shooting in chronological order from the Chestburster scene on
    11. 26:47 – Ron shares another behind the scenes moment from shooting Alien
    12. 29:14 – The nursery set
    13. 30:42 – The impregnation of the alien

    Shareable Quotes

    “Sigourney got it by giving a brilliant reading. She was off-Broadway in a hit and they gave her a cold reading and she knocked it out of the park.” (06:07)
    “They were all not-name stars. They were all proven successes as character actors, but none of them could be prima donnas. But halfway through there became an incredible crisis with the whole cast. They almost all quit.” (14:28)
    “And so I said, “The movie doesn’t seem to be working. It’s slow and plodding. It’s the right version of the script but the pacing is off. It’s funereal instead of suspenseful.” (10:17)
    “And from then on, they were really scared of that monster. They’re performances showed it.” (25:08)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    Highlights

    1. 00:16 – Robin tells the story of how she met Ron Shusett
    2. 02:58 – Introducing today’s episode, Alien: Nostromo
    3. 03:21 – Pre-production of Alien
    4. 04:56 – Casting Alien
    5. 05:46 – The controversy behind Sigourney Weaver landing the lead role of Ellen Ripley
    6. 09:27 – Figuring out the pacing of Alien
    7. 14:16 – An incredible crisis that developed among the actors of Alien
    8. 18:51 – Giving Hollywood executives an ultimatum
    9. 21:11 – The Chestburster Scene
    10. 25:29 – Shooting in chronological order from the Chestburster scene on
    11. 26:47 – Ron shares another behind the scenes moment from shooting Alien
    12. 29:14 – The nursery set
    13. 30:42 – The impregnation of the alien

    Shareable Quotes

    “Sigourney got it by giving a brilliant reading. She was off-Broadway in a hit and they gave her a cold reading and she knocked it out of the park.” (06:07)
    “They were all not-name stars. They were all proven successes as character actors, but none of them could be prima donnas. But halfway through there became an incredible crisis with the whole cast. They almost all quit.” (14:28)
    “And so I said, “The movie doesn’t seem to be working. It’s slow and plodding. It’s the right version of the script but the pacing is off. It’s funereal instead of suspenseful.” (10:17)
    “And from then on, they were really scared of that monster. They’re performances showed it.” (25:08)

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to all episodes at AnAlienInHollwood.com

    Discover Robin's books at RobinMaxwell.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    1147b5f7-47ca-4010-b055-d4a560527314Tue, 07 May 2019 21:02:00 -050033:23falsefull22In this episode of An Alien in Hollywood, co-hosts Harry Duran best-selling author Robin Maxwell continue their discussion with Ron Shusett about the origins of the sci-fi blockbuster, Alien. Ron shares behind-the-scenes stories of butting heads with Hollywood executives, casting decisions, and how they shot the famous Chestburster scene.    1: Alien - Birth of a Hollywood BlockbusterAlien - Birth of a Hollywood Blockbuster00:13 – Harry introduces his new podcast, An Alien in Hollywood

    02:11 – Robin describes Ron Shusett

    05:04 – How Harry met Robin

    07:24 – Robin breaks down the format of the first few episodes of this podcast

    09:01 – The genesis of the movie Alien

    14:47 – The progress Dan O’Bannon made on the first act of Alien

    15:46 – How Ron came up with the solution of how the alien gets on board

    17:03 – How Dan met H.R. Giger, the man who eventually worked on the design work for Alien

    20:15 – Ron tells the story of how Roger Corman came aboard for Alien

    25:36 – How Gordon Carroll, David Giler and Walter Hill influenced the production of Alien

    27:27 – The story of how Ridley Scott came on as the director of Alien

    29:42 – Ron recounts moments of discouragement he felt while trying to get this movie made

    31:22 – Ridley Scott’s vision for Alien

    33:18 – Why the Giler/Hill draft of the Alien script didn’t work

    37:27 – The vindication Ron and Dan felt when Ridley sided with their script

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to the full series at analieninhollywood.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    Read Robin's books on RobinMaxwell.com

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    00:13 – Harry introduces his new podcast, An Alien in Hollywood

    02:11 – Robin describes Ron Shusett

    05:04 – How Harry met Robin

    07:24 – Robin breaks down the format of the first few episodes of this podcast

    09:01 – The genesis of the movie Alien

    14:47 – The progress Dan O’Bannon made on the first act of Alien

    15:46 – How Ron came up with the solution of how the alien gets on board

    17:03 – How Dan met H.R. Giger, the man who eventually worked on the design work for Alien

    20:15 – Ron tells the story of how Roger Corman came aboard for Alien

    25:36 – How Gordon Carroll, David Giler and Walter Hill influenced the production of Alien

    27:27 – The story of how Ridley Scott came on as the director of Alien

    29:42 – Ron recounts moments of discouragement he felt while trying to get this movie made

    31:22 – Ridley Scott’s vision for Alien

    33:18 – Why the Giler/Hill draft of the Alien script didn’t work

    37:27 – The vindication Ron and Dan felt when Ridley sided with their script

    Music by Vincent Covello and Vic Migenes

    Artwork by Barbara Mastej

    Listen to the full series at analieninhollywood.com

    Listen to Harry as the host of Podcast Junkies

    Read Robin's books on RobinMaxwell.com

    🎙️🎙️🎙️

    Podcast Production by FullCast: https://fullcast.co

    Discover the best podcast services in the world at The Podosphere: https://www.thepodosphere.com/

    ]]>    a7e3e784a20b4ecfa5111a4fbde722a4Thu, 25 Apr 2019 17:03:00 -050037:38falsefull11In this first episode, co-hosts Harry Duran (host of Podcast Junkies) and Robin Maxwell (historian and best-selling author) kick of the podcast with a quick overview of how they met through a series of incredible coincidences and partnered to produce An Alien in Hollywood. The interview with Ron kicks off the early days, when Alien was still just an idea in Dan O'Bannon's head and how the 2 of them worked together to write one of the most influential science fiction horror movies of all time, Alien.