Several other cuts were made to pacing or to tone down specific visuals:
The most infamous and bizarrely fascinating deleted scene is the one that was deemed too much for even this film's standards. In this scene, Patrick picks up a woman at a club and returns to her apartment. After an embrace, he discovers the woman is actually "a transsexual". The discovery triggers a violent reaction; in some descriptions, he "kills her by breaking her neck in bed as soon as they began to make out".
The existence and nature of these deleted scenes highlight a key difference between the two films. While both Species and its sequel feature sexual horror, the first film had strong sci-fi aspirations. The sequel, however, shifts its focus almost entirely, leaning further into the slasher genre. The deleted scenes double down on that identity, ultimately creating a version of Species II that is sleazier and arguably more straightforward in its depiction of the "alien as sexual predator" metaphor.
The first deleted scene shows the creation of Marlon, the new alien, at a government facility. The scene depicts scientists experimenting on a DNA sample, trying to create a new species. This scene sets the tone for the rest of the film and provides background information on the creation of the alien. species 2 deleted scenes
: A longer version of Patrick’s attempt to slide his alien "tongue" into Dr. Laura Baker's mouth.
Several deleted dialogue scenes fleshed out Laura’s relationship with Eve. In these scenes, Laura expresses deep guilt over creating Eve just to keep her locked in a glass cage. The footage showed Laura performing various cognitive and physical tests on Eve, showcasing that Eve possessed high intelligence, genuine human empathy, and a tragic awareness of her status as a lab rat.
Dr. Laura Baker (Marg Helgenberger) receives a much longer re-introduction to the franchise. She walks through the high-tech government facility, interacting with security protocols and discussing Eve’s biological stability with her research team. Several other cuts were made to pacing or
The final deleted scene, "The Conspiracy Unfolds," hints at a larger conspiracy surrounding the X-13 species. In this scene, Dr. Alban reveals to Nathan that the government has been secretly experimenting with the species, leading to a sinister plot. This scene would have added a layer of complexity to the narrative, raising questions about the government's involvement and motivations.
Species II, the 1998 sci-fi thriller directed by Brett Leonard, left audiences on the edge of their seats with its gripping storyline and intense action sequences. The film, a sequel to the 1995 original, follows a team of scientists and government agents as they battle a new, genetically engineered species that threatens humanity. While the final cut of the movie delivered a thrilling experience, several deleted scenes were left on the cutting room floor, offering a glimpse into an alternate narrative.
In the theatrical version, Patrick's lethal encounters with various women are heavily edited, often utilizing shadows or quick cuts. The deleted footage contained explicit, prolonged transformations where Patrick’s body shifts into human-alien hybrid forms mid-act, causing graphic physical destruction to his partners. The discovery triggers a violent reaction; in some
The production team feared these scenes made Patrick look too pathetic and vulnerable. They wanted him to function as an unstoppable, confident apex predator from the moment he landed, prioritizing immediate shocks over a slow-burn psychological descent. 4. The MPAA Bloodbath: Excised Gore and Erotic Horror
The theatrical cut rushes through the initial Mars expedition to get the astronauts infected by the alien DNA as quickly as possible. The original cut featured a much longer prologue.
The Species 2 deleted scenes offer a fascinating look into the creative process behind a sci-fi horror film that walked a fine line between action, thriller, and horror. They provide insight into character motivations, subplots, and alternate story arcs that could have significantly altered the film's trajectory. For fans and film historians alike, these scenes are invaluable, offering a comprehensive view of a project that, while flawed, has a dedicated following. The legacy of Species 2, much like its protagonist's journey, continues to evolve, with deleted scenes playing a pivotal role in understanding its place in the sci-fi genre.