January 13, 2000
Web posted at: 5:43 p.m. EST (2243 GMT)

From Dennis Michael
CNN Entertainment Correspondent

(CNN) -- Tim Allen is feeding his sci-fi junkie side -- and his wallet -- with his latest project, "Galaxy Quest." The movie has grossed nearly $40 million since its release during the Christmas weekend in U.S. and Canadian theaters.

Allen plays Jason Nesmith, the star of a "Star Trek"-like television show that was canceled almost 20 years ago. Nesmith and his fellow actors -- including Gwen DeMarco, played by Sigourney Weaver of the "Alien" franchise -- now make their living appearing in costume at sci-fi conventions and store openings.

What they don't know is that real aliens have intercepted TV transmissions and think the show is real. So when the aliens run into trouble with an intergalactic enemy, they abduct the out-of-work actors to help their fight.

There are some strange worlds in "Galaxy Quest," but the scenes at the sci-fi conventions weren't alien to Allen. He's been there.

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"I like sci-fi conventions because I get to see the little effigies of the spaceships," he says. "I like to own a little piece of the movies. 'Forbidden Planet' (1956) was one of my favorite sci-fi movies, so ... I have scoured the last 10 years looking for memorabilia (from the set). ... There is none."

Allen does own a replica of Robby the Robot from "Forbidden Planet." And another of his prized possessions is related to the classic film. It features Anne Francis, who played the daughter of a scientist who escaped a monster that roams the planet.

"I had Anne Francis, who was on 'Home Improvement,' send me an autographed photo of her and Robby the Robot -- very rare," he says. "But I don't want to sell it. I like to hold onto it."

Allen's keen interest in sci-fi films made for an interesting relationship with co-star Weaver, who played courageous Ellen Ripley in four "Alien" movies.

"I have an alien ... (an H.R.) Giger original sculpture of the alien in my office -- big and heavy. It's a relief that goes on the wall, and so we kept doing scenes, and Sigourney says, 'Is there something on your mind?'"

Allen says he sheepishly asked for her autograph like a fan: "'I hate to bother you ... but could you sign an alien thing for me?'

"And she just went, 'What?' And I thought, ' She's going to hit me now,' and she says, 'I'd be delighted to.'"

"Galaxy Quest" is Allen's second big project since retiring his sitcom "Home Improvement" last year. The other one is reprising the voice of Buzz Lightyear in "Toy Story 2."

"That wasn't particularly fun to do," Allen says of the animated sequel. "It was really fun when it gets started ramping up, and you get to work with Tom (Hanks) and all the other guys, and doing press and stuff. "But by yourself on a animated, computer-generated -- whatever they call that -- that was not fun. But it certainly was a fun movie to see."