Sigourney Weaver Eyes Return as Ripley After Reading New Alien Script
Sigourney Weaver has revealed she’s read a 50-page script that could bring Ellen Ripley back to the Alien franchise. While the project is still in its early stages, Weaver is optimistic and considering further involvement.
While promoting her latest journey to Pandora for Avatar: Fire & Ash, Sigourney Weaver dropped a major hint that she might be gearing up for another trip to LV-426. The actress, who has headlined four Alien films, shared an update on a mysterious script she first mentioned last October—a script that could see Ellen Ripley back in action, facing off against facehuggers and battling to keep their offspring from wreaking havoc.
Weaver cautioned fans not to expect anything soon, comparing the process to a long hypersleep.
“You know, we’re just taking it one step at a time,”
she told Variety.
“It is very interesting. I hope we do it, because I think it will be wonderful. I think the fans will enjoy it, but it’s very early days.”
Ripley’s Possible Comeback
The last time Weaver spoke about this untitled script, she revealed it was penned by Walter Hill, a longtime producer of the Alien series. The draft, spanning 50 pages, reportedly brings Ripley back into the fold after she’s been locked away for trying to protect humanity from danger.
“I said I have never felt the need. I was always like, ‘Let her rest, let her recover.’ But what Walter has written seems so true to me as very much about the society that would incarcerate someone who has tried to help mankind,”
Weaver explained.
“She’s a problem to them, so she’s sort of tucked away. Anyway, I think it’s a very strong first 50 pages, and I’m thinking about working with Walter to see what the rest of the story would be.”
Alien Franchise’s New Momentum
The Alien universe is experiencing a resurgence, thanks to the recent big-screen success of Alien: Romulus and the critically acclaimed TV series Alien: Earth from Noah Hawley. The Predator franchise has also started to cross over, with Predator: Badlands adding fresh energy to both worlds. With so much momentum, the timing seems perfect for Ripley to make a dramatic return and face the Alien queen once again.