Aliens

These filmmakers made a huge impact on existing franchises.

Sometimes, sequels and remakes actual surpass their inspiration.

(It shoots Nerf darts, obviously.)

As one of Comic-Con's oldest guests, Sideshow Collectibles has one of the largest footprints at the annual San Diego event of any exhibitor. It's a good thing too because Sideshow hosts works from a number of companies it helps distribute in the states, as well as putting on a showcase for its own products. This year's offerings ran the gamut from the comic book worlds of Marvel and DC, to the cinematic universes of both, with a healthy dose of Star Wars interspersed to keep things groovy.

Last year marked the 30th anniversary of James Cameron's fan-favorite xenomorphic sequel, Aliens. While NECA has been steadfast in its coverage of the Alien franchise, giving fans the most collectibles and figures encompassing nearly every film in the series. Though there are still some characters from Aliens NECA hasn't been able to procure the rights for, this week the New Jersey company delivered one of the biggest surprises for the license yet. For the first time in history, James Cameron is getting an action figure.

We can't lie to you about your chances, but you have our sympathies in trying to get any of this year's Alien Day merchandise.

Stranger Things Season 2 had even more license to honor its ‘80s movie past, recruiting actual Goonies and Aliens stars like Sean Astin and Paul Reiser. The latter’s role as a mysterious scientist remains some what fuzzy, but Reiser at least confirms a surprising Aliens connection, and what separates him from Matthew Modine’s Season 1 villain.

This past week, fans everywhere celebrated the 30th anniversary of James Cameron’s Aliens. Aliens has, in many ways, become the gold standard for Hollywood sequels. Not only did Cameron make a film that held up to the success of the original film both critically and commercially, he did so by pushing the Alien franchise in a new and different direction. Aliens is still at its core a creature feature, but instead of imitating Ridley Scott’s claustrophobic horror from the first film, Cameron chose to nudge Aliens into the realm of war movies. This makes Aliens a rare type of sequel: both unwavering faithful to the original and entirely its own animal altogether.

Today brings news that San Diego Comic-Con will play host to a special panel to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Aliens, James Cameron’s sequel to Ridley Scott’s sci-fi horror classic. Cameron himself will be in attendance along with Sigourney Weaver, who is still talking up Neill Blomkamp’s new Alien sequel despite reports that the project had been delayed due to Scott’s own Alien prequel plans.

Remember “Back to the Future Day” last October when the internet celebrated the date — October 21, 2015 — Marty McFly traveled to in Back to the Future II? And how to commemorate the occasion Nike announced the self-lacing Air Mag sneakers that Marty wore in the film...