Sigourney Weaver Teases Possible Return as Ellen Ripley in the Alien Franchise
After her iconic portrayal of Ellen Ripley in David Fincher’s "Alien 3," Sigourney Weaver has sparked excitement among fans by hinting at a potential return to the Weyland-Yutani universe. During a recent New York Comic Con "Alien" reunion panel, Weaver shared intriguing insights about her character’s future.
She revealed that her good friend, Walter Hill—one of the original producers of the franchise—has crafted an extraordinary 50-page script that explores where Ripley might be today. “Walter wrote an incredible piece about Ripley’s situation, and it feels so true to the character,” Weaver stated during the panel, which was moderated by Josh Horowitz. “I’ve had discussions with Fox and Disney, but I never felt the urge to reprise the role. I always thought, ‘Let her rest.’ However, what Walter has written resonates with me, as it delves into the societal issues faced by someone like Ripley, who has always been a savior for mankind yet is treated as a problem.”
The panel also featured a surprise appearance from Veronica Cartwright, who played Joan Lambert in the original 1979 "Alien" film. As the two actresses reminisced about the nearly 50-year legacy of the franchise, Cartwright recounted how the film was initially underestimated by studio executives. “They didn’t even give us a premiere,” she recalled. “I went to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood to see it alone, and during the chestburster scene, people were literally getting up and leaving the theater. It was groundbreaking; nobody had ever seen anything like it.”
In addition to the ongoing buzz around a possible Ripley return, the "Alien" franchise has recently expanded into television. FX’s "Alien: Earth," created by Noah Hawley, concluded its first season last month. While fans eagerly await news of Weaver’s potential return to the big screen, she is also set to venture into a galaxy far, far away with her upcoming role in next summer’s “Star Wars” movie, "The Mandalorian and Grogu."
Stay tuned for more updates on Sigourney Weaver and the future of the "Alien" franchise!
