Dan O'Bannon (I) (1946–2009)

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Dan O'Bannon was inspired at an early age by EC Comics like Tales from the Crypt and old horror films that he saw in St. Louis. He even wrote a few stories for Heavy Metal magazine (which also showed up in the film). O'Bannon got his start when he and John Carpenter collaborated on the cult sci-fi film Dark Star (1974). After a failed attempt to ... See full bio »

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4 wins & 8 nominations. See more awards »

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Known For

Alien
Alien Writer
(1979)
Dark Star
Dark Star Writer
(1974)
Aliens
Aliens Writer
(1986)
The Return of the Living Dead
The Return of the Living Dead Writer
(1985)
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Filmography

Hide Hide Show Show Writer (34 credits)
  Untitled Alien Prequel (based on characters created by) (announced)
 2019 Alien: Ore (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2019 Alien: Specimen (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2019 Alien: Alone (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2019 Alien: Containment (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2019 Alien: Harvest (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2019 Alien: Night Shift (Short) (based on characters created by)
 2017 Alien: Covenant (based on characters created by)
 2014 Alien: Isolation (Video Game) (characters)
 2013 Aliens: Colonial Marines (Video Game) (created by: Alien - uncredited)
 2012/I Total Recall (based on the motion picture "Total Recall", screen story by) / (based on the motion picture "Total Recall", screenplay by) / (screen story by)
 2012/I Prometheus (based on elements created by)
 2007 Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem ("Alien" characters)
 2004 Alien vs. Predator ("Alien" characters) / (screen story)
 1997 Alien: Resurrection (characters)
 1997 Hemoglobin (written by)
 1995 Screamers (screenplay)
 1994/I Alien vs. Predator (Video Game) (character: Alien - uncredited)
 1994/II Alien vs. Predator (Video Game) (characters)
 1992 Alien³ (Video Game) (characters)
 1992 Alien³ (characters)
 1990 Total Recall (screen story) / (screenplay)
 1986 Aliens (based on characters created by)
 1986 Invaders from Mars (screenplay)
 1985 Lifeforce (screenplay)
 1985 The Return of the Living Dead (screenplay)
  Blue Thunder (TV Series) (story - 2 episodes, 1984) (teleplay - 1 episode, 1984)
- The Island (1984) ... (story)
- Arms Race (1984) ... (story) / (teleplay)
 1983 Blue Thunder (written by)
 1981 Heavy Metal (original story - segment "Soft Landing") / (story - segment "B-17")
 1981 Dead & Buried (screenplay)
 1980 Phobia (uncredited)
 1979 Alien (screenplay by) / (story by)
 1974 Dark Star (original story by) / (screenplay by)
 1969 Blood Bath (Short)
Show Show Additional Crew (2 credits)
Show Show Actor (5 credits)
Show Show Director (3 credits)
Show Show Special effects (1 credit)
Show Show Visual effects (1 credit)
Show Show Art department (1 credit)
Show Show Editor (1 credit)
Show Show Production designer (1 credit)
Show Show Thanks (11 credits)
Show Show Self (20 credits)
Show Show Archive footage (7 credits)

Related Videos

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Personal Details

Publicity Listings:

5 Interviews | 2 Articles | See more »

Official Sites:

Official Site

Height:

5' 6" (1.68 m)

Spouse:

Diane Louise Lindley  (his death)  (1 child)
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Did You Know?

Personal Quote:

With "Alien", I figured out quite simply that, as an audience member, what you DON'T see scares you more than what you see. In horror films, the scares that really grab the audience and build the tension for them don't come from the monster jumping out of the shadows! The terror comes from the slow times in between those pay-off scenes in which the characters are talking and planning -- waiting ... See more »

Trivia:

Dan O'Bannon had been working on the screenplay for Screamers (1995) as early as 1981. The October 10, 1984, draft credits Michael Campus as co-writer. It is unknown whether Campus also intended to direct. See more »

Star Sign:

Libra
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