William Gibson’s Alien 3 script receives novelization by Pat Cadigan

Last Updated on August 2, 2021

For a screenplay that didn't end up going into production, William Gibson's take on Alien 3 (watch the movie that wasn't based on Gibson's script HERE) is incredibly popular. It has received a comic book adaptation and was turned into an audio drama with Aliens' Michael Biehn and Lance Henriksen providing vocal performances, and now Pat Cadigan has written a novelization of Gibson's script that will be released on August 31st. Copies can be pre-ordered at THIS LINK.

Coming to us from Titan Books, the novelization has the following description: 

William Gibson’s never-before-adapted screenplay for the direct sequel to Aliens, revealing the fates of Ripley, Newt, the synthetic Bishop, and Corporal Hicks. When the Colonial Marines vessel Sulaco docks with space station and military installation Anchorpoint, a new form of Xenomorph appears. Written by Hugo Award-winning novelist and “Queen of Cyberpunk” Pat Cadigan, based on Gibson’s never-produced first draft. 

The Sulaco—on its return journey from LV-426—enters a sector controlled by the “Union of Progressive Peoples,” a nation-state engaged in an ongoing cold war and arms race. U.P.P. personnel board the Sulaco and find hypersleep tubes with Ripley, Newt, and an injured Hicks. A Facehugger attacks the lead commando, and the others narrowly escape, taking what remains of Bishop with them. 

The Sulaco continues to Anchorpoint, a space station and military installation the size of a small moon, where it falls under control of the military’s Weapons Division. Boarding the Sulaco, a team of Colonial Marines and scientists is assaulted by a pair of Xenomorph drones. In the fight Ripley's cryotube is badly damaged. It’s taken aboard Anchorpoint, where Ripley is kept comatose. Newt and an injured Corporal Hicks are awakened, and Newt is sent to Gateway Station on the way to Earth. The U.P.P. sends Bishop to Anchorpoint, where Hicks begins to hear rumors of experimentation—the cloning and genetic modification of Xenomorphs. 

The kind of experimentation that could yield a monstrous hybrid, and perhaps even a Queen.

It's interesting to note that the 340 page novelization is based on Gibson's first draft, as the comic book and audio drama were based on his second draft. 

Cadigan has written several novelizations prior to this, including those for the thriller Cellular, two episodes of The Twilight Zone, Alita: Battle Angel, and Jason X.