Clearly a glutton for punishment, Sigourney Weaver (pictured) looks set to star in a fifth instalment in the Alien saga, though reports suggest that the actress will be compensated for her ordeals to the tune of $15m (£10.19m). Weaver, the star of all four previous Alien movies, will also serve as executive producer on Alien 5, which is slated for release in 2004. According to the Sunday Express, the film will focus on the alien's arrival on planet Earth. "I've always wanted to do one where we go back to the planet where the alien originally came from or even get to Earth," said Weaver.
Bruce Greenwood has been cast as the male lead opposite Sharon Stone in Basic Instinct 2. Currently impressing critics with his turn as JFK in 13 Days, Greenwood replaces original star Michael Douglas, who decided against the sequel, and Kurt Russell, who at one stage looked certain to take the role. Basic Instinct 2 will be directed by John (Die Hard) McTiernan, who replaces David Cronenberg after he reportedly quit the movie following clashes with Stone.
The Rocketeer star Bill Campbell is to play the abusive husband of feisty Jennifer Lopez in Enough. A female saga along the lines of Sleeping With the Enemy, the film shoots in March.
Madeleine Stowe is in negotiations to play Mel Gibson's wife in the Vietnam war drama We Were Soldiers Once and Young. Based on the first major battle between US soldiers and the Viet Cong in 1965, the Paramount production will be directed by Randall Wallace and stars Gibson as a hardy battalion commander. The film has already attracted criticism from some Vietnam veterans who worry that Gibson will romanticise what remains a controversial and painful struggle.
