Imagine the shock of hearing that Sigourney Weaver, the legendary Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise, might be stepping back into her iconic role after decades – but only if a fresh script captures the essence of a society that punishes heroes. This isn't just fan service; it's a potential reboot that dives deep into themes of isolation and injustice. Intrigued? Let's unpack this exciting development and explore Weaver's reflections on the Alien saga, from its groundbreaking origins to its latest chapters. But here's where it gets controversial: Is reviving Ripley a tribute to her resilience, or does it risk diluting the character's hard-earned rest? Stick around to find out why this script has Weaver reconsidering her stance.
Sigourney Weaver recently shared at New York Comic Con that she hasn't dismissed the idea of reprising her role as Ripley, thanks to 50 pages of a script penned by her close friend and producer Walter Hill. 'Walter Hill is a dear friend, and he's crafted these initial 50 pages that depict Ripley's current life in a way that's incredibly authentic,' she told the audience on Friday. 'I'm not sure if it'll come to fruition, but I've already sat down with representatives from Fox or Disney – whoever's overseeing it now. I've always believed Ripley deserved a break, a chance to heal from her ordeals. Yet, what Walter has written resonates so deeply with me; it's all about a world that would imprison someone who's sacrificed everything to protect humanity.'
She elaborated, 'Ripley's become a liability to them, so they've essentially sidelined her. Regardless, those opening pages are exceptionally strong, and I'm open to collaborating with Walter to flesh out the full narrative.'
During the Main Stage appearance, co-star Veronica Cartwright surprised everyone with a cameo, as Weaver reminisced about the 1979 classic Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, and its sequels. For Weaver, who built her sci-fi reputation through this role, the appeal lay in the script's quality, not the genre itself. 'As an English literature graduate, I focus on the story first. If it's compelling, the genre doesn't matter to me. I didn't dwell on categories back then; I just chased great tales,' she explained. 'Genres have become more rigid now, but I'm thankful I didn't overthink it. I'm glad I pursued this particular story.'
She went on, 'The script was concise, like a modern take on Agatha Christie's And Then There Were None, with the alien picking off the crew one by one. Without knowing the creature's design – this acid-dripping monster – it's tough to grasp its menace. I had no clue about the stunning, otherworldly beauty of the alien until my audition, when Ridley showed me sketches by H.R. Giger and Carlo Rambaldi. I'd never encountered anything like it on screen. That, combined with Ridley's vision, sealed the deal for me.'
Regarding her casting, which revolutionized female leads in horror and sci-fi, Weaver pondered her status on the production. Despite Ripley being central, she wondered if she was truly the top-billed star, given the era's scarcity of strong women in such roles. 'I suspect some cast members were unsettled that a total newcomer with no prior film experience would emerge as the sole survivor. And why was I the one? Our writers, Walter Hill and David Geyler, figured audiences would never suspect a woman as the hero,' she said amid applause. 'Credit goes to Walter and David for that bold choice.'
When discussing parallels between her real-life acting journey and Ripley's on-screen struggles, Weaver recalled a chat with co-star Ian Holm. 'I bonded quickly with Ian Holm,' she shared. 'After our early scene, I asked him if Ripley always believes she's doing the right thing. He said yes, absolutely. But I disagreed – I saw her as improvising, winging it through chaos. As an actor, I was doing the same; no one fed me lines. It was total improvisation. Coming from theater, I was petrified, which made it easy to channel that fear.'
This spontaneous style even influenced the film's climactic showdown, where the alien's demise was undecided until the last minute. 'Ridley wasn't certain how to end it or visually depict the kill. But with studio execs breathing down his neck, demanding a wrap by the next day, they improvised with water and tested it successfully,' Weaver noted. 'I asked Ridley not to spoil any surprises in my escape pod. Ignorance was a gift for my performance. I'm fortunate my debut was this film; the lack of rehearsals, shooting on actual film, and that chaotic energy gave it an authentic, raw feel that elevated the whole project.'
Later, with Cartwright, Weaver reflected on how Alien shaped her as an actor and addressed Hollywood's initial reception of the film. 'It taught me basics like never staring into the camera – lessons I picked up fast. I'm amazed at its enduring popularity, and Ridley Scott deserves immense praise for his 'truckers in space' approach. It's gritty, real sci-fi, not some polished fantasy,' she said. 'I adored the sets, straight out of theater tradition. I thought they were generously built for us. But then we'd film, and we couldn't touch the real consoles – only fake buttons nearby. It all felt hilariously makeshift to me.'
Cartwright chimed in about the premiere, or lack thereof. 'No big premiere for us. I watched it alone at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood. When the chestburster scene hit, people bolted from their seats. No one had seen horror like that. We were just a low-budget B-movie, but it blew minds,' she recalled.
On the sequel, Aliens, directed by James Cameron, Weaver shared her first reactions. 'I was in France when the script arrived, and I was floored – Ripley dominates every page of this unexpected story. It was one of the best scripts I'd read. Back in the States, I met Jim for the first time, and when he asked for notes, I said, 'This is flawless!'' she remembered.
She addressed crew tensions, stemming from loyalty to Ridley. 'The team adored Ridley and wanted him back for the sequel. They didn't know Jim Cameron – I didn't either, beyond his script. Terminator had just released, but they skipped screenings he arranged. It took time for them to warm up. I championed Jim immediately; I loved Ridley too, but Jim's talent shone through. He won them over eventually, and they became his biggest fans.'
Aliens earned Weaver an Oscar nod for Best Actress, a rarity for genre films then. 'It was unprecedented, and still somewhat is, but Jim crafted a character arc and plot that resonated universally. I was thrilled to see a sci-fi film embraced by the Academy, genre aside,' she said.
Weaver praised Alien 3's director David Fincher similarly. 'I trusted David completely. It's vastly different from the first two, and Fox wisely chose visionary directors to reinvent the Alien tale each time.'
Discussing the script, originally by Vincent Ward, she noted its quirky premise. 'It featured monks in space with a medieval garden vibe. Ripley crashes and spends half the film in a coma – not my favorite setup,' she admitted to laughs. 'David wished for more time to tweak it before shooting. We delayed a bit, but not enough. Still, we had an incredible cast and crew; I don't rank them.'
Weaver commented on recent entries like Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth. 'I adored Earth and enjoyed Romulus. Meeting Sydney Chandler and the cast yesterday, I see echoes of my own path in them. Even without buzz, it's a huge responsibility. With the franchise's popularity now, pressure mounts, but I'm excited to mentor younger actors at my age.'
Her advice to newcomers? 'Relax. It'll all work out. Hit your marks, deliver your lines, and dive in. Don't overanalyze afterward.'
And this is the part most people miss: Weaver's openness to a new Ripley story isn't just nostalgia – it's a nod to evolving societal critiques. But is bringing back a character who's 'earned her rest' respectful, or exploitative? What do you think – should Ripley stay retired, or does this script justify her return? Share your thoughts in the comments; I'd love to hear if you agree, disagree, or have a counterpoint on reviving icons in franchises!
