Reiser recently popped into the Lights, Camera, Barstool podcast and shared some of his “Aliens” memories. “I read the script and obviously this is a mega-hit,” he said. “It was the first script I’ve ever read, the only script I’ve ever read, that I had to put down, […] it’s intense on the page and then you know [Cameron] have the skills to bring it to life.”
Burke’s character is a slimy corporate climber whose bare ambition for progress forces him to shed xenomorph facehuggers on Ripley (Sigourney Weaver) and Newt (Carrie Henn). He knew Cameron wanted him for the role because he was funny and fun, but Reiser understood exactly how these qualities could be used against him.
“I don’t question it like, ‘You know Mr Cameron, I’m generally known as a comedic actor.’ But, by the way, that’s also his thought. As I understand […] part of that is ‘let me get someone the audience won’t suspect, there will be a cheer or cheer for him.’ I don’t know how much success it worked out because I thought as soon as I showed up, people were like, ‘This guy is no good. This guy. There’s something wrong with this guy.’ It’s like being a guest on ‘Star Trek.’ Like, ‘He’s going to die soon. He’s not coming back next week, this guy.'”