Tori Spelling Recalls Experience with Overly Critical Director That Left Her Hoping to Be ‘Fired’

Tori Spelling has opened up about her challenging experience while filming the 2003 science fiction comedy “Evil Alien Conquerors.” In a recent appearance on Stephen Baldwin’s podcast “One Bad Movie,” Spelling described her time on set as her most difficult in the industry, largely attributed to what she perceived as constant criticism from the film’s director, Chris Matheson.

Reflecting on her career as an actress, Spelling, now 53, recounted her excitement at taking on the role after rising to fame as Donna Martin in the iconic television series “Beverly Hills, 90210.” She hoped that starring in “Evil Alien Conquerors” would mark a successful shift into comedy. However, her enthusiasm quickly waned as she faced what she describes as relentless scrutiny from Matheson.

The film features Spelling alongside Chris Parnell and Dietrich Bader, who play extraterrestrial characters encountering what they believe to be human girls – although, in reality, they are aliens. While Spelling was eager to showcase her comedic talents, she soon found herself overwhelmed by the director’s feedback. “From the moment I stepped on set, it was like I couldn’t say one word without the director being like, ‘Uh, Tori, can you do that again?’” she recalled, frustrated that her every delivery was met with requests for alteration.

Spelling noted a distinct difference between her experiences in drama and comedy. Having spent a decade in a drama series, she felt confident in receiving feedback for serious performances. Yet, in the realm of comedy, constructive criticism seemed absent. “In drama, sometimes I was like, ‘Okay, if I get that note, I understand that,’ but comedy, no one ever gave me a note. It was always like, ‘Oh my God, that’s great, go for it,’” she stated.

The continued critiques took a toll on her confidence and disconnection from the character she was portraying. “It didn’t matter if I had one line or if I had a monologue; I felt like Matheson would critique me regardless,” Spelling explained. Her deliveries became increasingly emotionless, lacking the spontaneity and enthusiasm she initially felt. It was a stark departure from her expectations of what working in comedy would entail.

Ultimately, her experience on the film led Spelling to question her own abilities. “I was like, ‘Just fire me and recast. This is so hard on me.’ I went to set every day just like a puddle of… I don’t know,” she admitted. Despite her frustrations, she felt that her performance was overshadowed by the negative atmosphere.

In an effort to distance herself from the project, Spelling eventually asked to be uncredited in “Evil Alien Conquerors.” Reflecting on this decision, she recounted an incident where, as a young actress, she did not understand the implications of seeking anonymity in the credits. “If you look it up, it doesn’t credit me,” she stated.

In response to Spelling’s criticisms, director Chris Matheson expressed regret that she felt this way, explaining that their differing perspectives on comedy may have contributed to the tension. “I’m sorry she felt that way. I like Tori personally. I just think we have some different ideas about comedy,” he said.

“Evil Alien Conquerors” featured a cast that included Bader, Parnell, Michael Weston, Elden Henson, and Phil LaMarr. Despite its diverse ensemble and comedic premise, the film has not achieved remarkable notoriety in cinematic history, though it remains a curious footnote in both Spelling’s career and the early 2000s comedy genre.

In the end, Spelling’s candidness highlights the challenges that can arise in the film industry, particularly for performers navigating the expectations of directors and the pressures of specific genres. While she has moved on from the experience, it serves as a poignant reminder of the complexities of creative collaboration in the world of entertainment.