Despite being the face of theAlienfranchise, actor Sigourney Weaver has a strict condition for reprising her role of Ellen Ripley, which explains why she hasn’t returned to the franchise in 27 years. Notably,Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley didn’t return forAlien: Romulus, the ninth installment in the storied franchise that began with Ridley Scott’sAlienin 1979. Penned by Dan O’Bannon,the sci-fi horror film was not just a blockbuster, but a critically acclaimed, movie career-launching turn for Weaver, who plays Ellen Ripley, the warrant officer aboard a commercial space tug calledNostromo.
When theNostromocomes across an abandoned ship, the crew come face-to-face with a hostile extraterrestrial. Weaver returned to combatAlien’s iconic Xenomorph and Facehuggersin several other films, including James Cameron’sAliens, the 1986 sequel that earned Weaver an Academy Award nomination, as well as 1992’sAlien 3and 1997’sAlien Resurrection. Unfortunately,neither of the ‘90sAlienmovies were well-received, likely prompting Weaver to step backfrom the series. Although Scott’sAlienprequels deftly avoided the Ripley return issue,Alien: Romulus’ storyis set rather close to the events of the originalAlien.
Sigourney Weaver Is Waiting On A Great Script To Return To Alien
The Actor May Not Continue Ripley’s Story In Future Alien Movies
In an interview withDeadline, Sigourney Weaver reiterated her unflexible condition for returning for moreAlienmovies. The actor, who just received the Venice Film Festival’s Lifetime Achievement Award, is waiting for a truly great script where her character is concerned. While Weaver broke barriers and left an indelible mark on pop culture with her role as action heroine Ripley, the actor was delighted to inhabit other characters across many genres. Known for her roles inGhostbusters,Working Girl, andCabin in the Woods, just to name a few,the three-time Oscar nominee clearly picks her projects carefully.
[Alien:Romulus'] decision to navigate around Ripley’s story was probably for the best.
“I have yet to read a script [for anAlienmovie] that said ‘you have got to do this,'” Weaver admittedtoDeadline. While the ninth franchise film prompted viewers to wonderwhere Ripley is duringAlien: Romulus, the decision to navigate around Ripley’s story was probably for the best. Co-written by director Fede Álvarez and colleague Rodo Sayagues,Romulusis partially a retread of the originalAlienfilm’s structure and plot beats, with some new twists and turns thrown in. Plus, it succeeds as a standalone entry that still references the otherAlienmovies.
Why It’s Good Alien: Romulus Didn’t Feature Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley
Alien: Romulus was a stand-alone film in the franchise, and that’s a good thing.
Sigourney Weaver Was Meant To Return In Alien 5 Before Its Cancelation
District 9 Director Neill Blomkamp Would Have Directed Weaver’s Return In Alien: Xeno
Originally, director Neill Blomkamp (District 9) was set to helmAlien 5, which would’ve continuedEllen Ripley’sAlienstory. This was around the same time Ridley Scott’s prequel,Prometheus, hit theaters. Unfortunately,20th Century Fox scrapped the tentatively titledAlien: Xenoeven after hearing Blomkamp’s pitch. In the end,Alien 5’s cancelation led to Blomkamp’s hiatusfrom making feature films and cementedAlien: Resurrectionas Weaver’s last on-screen appearance as Ripley. While Weaver wasn’t officially attached to the project,Alien 5would have hinged on Ellen Ripley’s return, which certainly wasn’t the case forScott’s unfinishedAlienprequel trilogy.
Alien: Romulus Reveal Makes Ellen Ripley’s Survival Before Aliens Even More Miraculous
A major Alien: Romulus easter egg involves the fate of Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley, which only makes her survival between films more impressive.
Why Sigourney Weaver’s Alien Return Is Unlikely
The Actor Has Moved On From The Alien Franchise
In more recent years, it seems like Sigourney Weaver has moved on from theAlienfranchise. At a time when every IP is milking viewers’ nostalgia, Weaver could have easily returned forAlien: Romulus, but a fan-service cameo didn’t happen. Notably,Weaver did appear inGhostbusters: Afterlife, so the actor clearly isn’t opposed to paying homage to her most iconic film series. Even though Weaver has appeared in other sci-fi series, like Cameron’sAvatar, it sounds like she’s puttingwhat happened toAlien’s Ellen Ripleyin her rearview mirror.
Alien: Romulusis now playing in theaters worldwide;AlienandAliensare now streaming on Hulu and Disney+.
Alien: Romulus
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
