Did you know this sci-fi crossover trivia about Starfleet (originally titled Ekkusu Bonbâ)?
Two iconic actors from the Aliens universe brought key characters to life in the 1980–1981 TV classic!
Jay Benedict (who played Newt’s dad in Aliens) voiced Hagen across all 24 episodes.
Mark Rolston (who played Private Drake in Aliens) voiced Lee, also appearing in all 24 episodes!
The Mind-Blowing Link Between a 1980s Puppet Sci-Fi Show and James Cameron’s ALIENS.
Alien and Predator franchise enthusiasts take pride in discovering deep behind-the-scenes lore. However, an incredible historical crossover remains largely hidden. Multiple Colonial Marines and LV-426 colonists actually started their careers fighting space empires in a cult-classic Japanese puppet show.
Prepare your smart guns and fire up the plasma casters. We are diving into the forgotten Star Fleet Aliens connection hidden inside James Cameron’s 1986 masterpiece, Aliens.
Before the Xenomorphs, There Were Puppets
Long before setting foot on LV-426, several actors who became iconic faces in the Aliens universe worked together in a small audio booth in London.
The year was 1982. A legendary Japanese television show created by manga master Go Nagai (Devilman, Mazinger Z) received an English dub for UK television. Renamed Star Fleet (originally X-Bomber), the show featured stylized rod-puppetry, massive starships, and giant combining robots.
To bring the characters to life, the production hired an elite group of American and expat actors living in England. Just four years later, James Cameron headed to Pinewood Studios to film Aliens. He cast his actors from that exact same local talent pool.
The Star Fleet Aliens connection links these two legendary sci-fi universes in surprising ways:
1. Jay Benedict: From Ace Pilot to Newt’s Doomed Parent.
In the English version of Star Fleet, actor Jay Benedict voiced Shiro Hagen. Shiro was the hot-headed, heroic pilot of the X-Bomber crew.
In Aliens, Benedict played Russ Jorden, the Hadley’s Hope pioneer colonist and father of Newt. He is the very first person on the colony to discover the derelict alien spacecraft. This discovery unfortunately makes him the planet’s first facehugger victim. While his scene was cut from the 1986 theatrical release, it was fully restored as a centerpiece of the Aliens: Special Edition.
2. Mark Rolston: From Star Fleet Co-Pilot to Colonial Marine.
Actor Mark Rolston provided the voice for John Lee. Lee was the tactical co-pilot of the puppet crew, easily recognizable by his distinct military uniform and afro.
When it came time for James Cameron’s movie, Rolston traded puppet strings for a heavy weapon. He played Private Drake, the fierce Colonial Marine who fights alongside Vasquez before meeting a brutal end via acid splash.
3. Peter Marinker: From Space Commander to Franchise Narrator
Actor Peter Marinker brought a powerful authority to Star Fleet. He voiced the critical character Dr. Benn Robinson, and also provided the voice for Shiro’s father, Professor Hagen.
While Marinker did not appear on-screen in the 1986 film, he maintains a strong connection to the franchise. He later served as a primary voice narrator for official Aliens universe audiobooks, documenting the expanded history of the Xenomorph threat.
The Ultimate Sci-Fi Trivia Night Weapon:
The same voices behind a colorful, giant-robot puppet show from 1982 went on to build the gritty, terrifying atmosphere of Aliens just a few years later.
The next time you watch Aliens and see Russ Jorden exploring the derelict ship or Drake blasting away at Xenomorphs, remember the secret Star Fleet Aliens connection. They used to protect the galaxy on the X-Bomber!
Keep your scanners locked to our APFanszone Blog for exclusive behind-the-scenes drops, reveals, and creator interviews as we track this project all the way to its final physical release! Access Terminal to join the discussion in our community hub. Did you grow up watching Star Fleet, or is this connection completely new to you? Let us know in the comments below!
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