Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star

Hyper Sapien: People from Another Star is a 1986 science fiction film from Canada and the United States. Peter R. Hunt directed it, and the cast includes Dennis Holahan, Ricky Paull Goldin, Sydney Penny, Keenan Wynn (in his last movie role), and Rosie Marcel. The story follows three aliens from the planet Taros—a young woman named Robyn, a girl named Tavy, and a furry, three-eyed, three-armed creature named Kirbi—who stow away on a ship to Earth and land near Aladdin, Wyoming. They befriend a rancher's son named Dirt, and Robyn shows off her bike-riding skills. The group visits Dirt's grandparents, where Kirbi beats Grandpa at poker, drinks gasoline, and feeds the goats instead of the chickens. Grandpa later teaches Kirbi to shoot Coors cans with a gun while complaining about modern changes. Dirt learns Robyn's hair changes color in sunlight and that she came from a moonbase, not intending to visit Earth. He tries to hide the aliens from his family, but complications arise when other aliens search for the trio, Grandpa shows Kirbi to locals at the General Store, and a Senator arrives for a barbecue. The film was announced in early 1985 as one of two sci-fi projects from producer Jack Schwartzman, the other being an unmade adaptation of *The Stars My Destination*. Michael Wadleigh was initially set to direct but left, and Peter R. Hunt took over after producer Ariel Levy's offer. Keenan Wynn died two months before the film's release. Though set in rural Wyoming, it was filmed in and around Calgary, Alberta. Trans World Entertainment (TWE) produced the film, and Tri-Star Pictures acquired it for release, considering a July 1986 opening but avoiding competition with other summer films. It received a limited theatrical release before moving to home video and cable TV, including airings on The Disney Channel.