It's hard to imagine Aliens without its tight-knit Colonial Marines, but one key squad member almost never made it into the film. Ricco Ross, who portrayed Private Frost, recently revealed that his role didn't exist until director James Cameron personally rewrote the script to accommodate him—and that decision meant turning down a part in Stanley Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket.
Speaking at Big Lick Comic Con NOVA, moderated by Collider's Maggie Lovitt, Ross shared the behind-the-scenes story. He originally auditioned for the role of Hudson, but Cameron wasn't ready to commit. Ross recalled telling the director, "If it's not that role, then I'm not interested."
At the time, Cameron was still early in his career, fresh off The Terminator rather than the blockbuster juggernaut he'd become with Titanic and Avatar. "James Cameron was not the James Cameron we know right now," Ross laughed. The director offered a creative solution: "I wrote the script, I will rewrite the script, and I'll put these three smaller characters and make one character just for you." Ross, feeling cocky, said he'd think about it.
But the choice grew complicated when Ross was also courted for Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket. "Every actor wanted to work with Stanley Kubrick," Ross explained. Kubrick cast him for an eight-week workshop, but the legendary director wouldn't share the script or pay above scale. Ross went back to Cameron, who sweetened the deal: "I'll rewrite this script, I'll make a nice role for you, and I'll also allow you to have days off to shoot this other film." Cameron even offered to let Ross start Aliens a week late if Kubrick released him after eight weeks.
When Ross asked Kubrick for that release, the answer was a firm no. "I had to choose, and the rest is history," Ross said. He chose Cameron's offer, and the rest is cinematic history. The Colonial Marines became iconic, and Aliens cemented itself as a classic. Ross's gamble paid off, though he admits missing out on Kubrick's war epic was a tough call.
For fans, the result is a masterful action film that still holds up. Aliens is streaming now on Disney+ and Hulu. For more on Cameron's innovative filmmaking, check out James Cameron's Futuristic Cameras and Weapon Rigs in 'Aliens' Were So Ahead, the Military Came Calling.
Ross's story is a fascinating glimpse into the early days of two titans of cinema. While Kubrick's Full Metal Jacket remains a classic, Aliens gave Ross a role that defined his career. It's a testament to Cameron's willingness to reshape his vision for the right actor—and a reminder that sometimes, the best roles are the ones written just for you.
