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David Giler

Producer, Writer, Actor, Director, Additional Credits
Born July 23, 1943Died December 19, 2020 (77 years)
David Giler (July 23, 1943 – December 19, 2020) was an American filmmaker who has been active in the motion picture industry since the early 1960s.

He started his career as a writer, providing scripts for television programs such as Kraft Suspense Theatre and The Man from U.N.C.L.E.. He then moved to screenplays in the 70's, helping to write films such as The Parallax View and the original version of Fun With Dick and Jane. He produced his first film in 1970, the critically reviled Myra Breckinridge, an adaptation of Gore Vidal's controversial novel (he also co-wrote the film with director Michael Sarne). He helped Walter Hill produce the legendary horror thriller Alien in 1979, and it is for this film that he is probably best remembered. He and Hill became embroiled in a much-publicized behind-the-scenes fight with Alien's original writer, Dan O'Bannon, over who was to receive screenplay credit. Giler and Hill claim that they completely rewrote the script from top to bottom, and therefore they wanted to relegate O'Bannon to a "story by" credit only. O'Bannon claims that they did little more than change the names of the characters and dialogue, and felt that the two were trying to bully him out of the more prestigious screenplay credit. As evidenced by the interviews on the supplemental DVD features, the two parties were extremely antagonistic when it comes to this topic (O'Bannon has since died), though O'Bannon was the only one to receive credit for the screenplay in the final film. The various drafts can be found online, allowing audiences to decide for themselves.

Giler worked with Hill on several more projects, including the continuation of the Alien franchise. The two were responsible for the final and very controversial rewrite of the Alien 3 story which killed off the Bishop, Hicks and Newt characters from Aliens. Some of the films that he wrote during this period include The Money Pit, Southern Comfort, and an uncredited rewrite for Beverly Hills Cop II.

He also directed one film, The Black Bird (1975).

Description above from the Wikipedia article David Giler, licensed under CC-BY-SA, full list of contributors on Wikipedia.

Movies & Shows on Plex

  • W.E.I.R.D. World

Known For

  • Alien
  • Alien³
  • Aliens
  • Alien vs. Predator
  • Alien: Covenant
  • Prometheus
  • The Money Pit
  • Alien: Resurrection
  • Fun with Dick and Jane
  • Undisputed
  • Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem
  • Tales from the Crypt
  • Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight
  • Southern Comfort
  • The Parallax View
  • Myra Breckinridge
  • Let It Ride
  • Alien: Covenant - Prologue: The Crossing
  • Fun with Dick and Jane
  • Rustlers' Rhapsody
  • The Black Bird

Filmography

2017
2017
2012
2007
2004
2002
2002
1997
1997
Perversions of Science (TV Series) · as Executive Producer
1996
Secrets of the Cryptkeeper's Haunted House (TV Series) · as Executive Producer
1996
Bordello of Blood · as Executive Producer
1995
W.E.I.R.D. World · as Executive Producer
1995
Tales from the Crypt: Demon Knight · as Executive Producer
1994
1994
1994
1994
1994
Rebel Highway (TV Series)
1993
Tales From the Cryptkeeper (TV Series) · as Executive Producer
1992
1992
Two-Fisted Tales · as Executive Producer
1989
1989
Tales from the Crypt (TV Series) · as Executive Producer
1986
Aliens · as Executive Producer
1986
The Money Pit · as Executive Producer
1985
1981
1979
1970

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