Posted on: May 4th, 2023
Sigourney Weaver no doubt dashed the hopes of millions of sci-fi fans as she announced in last week’s issue of Total Film that she has no intention of reprising her iconic role of Ellen Ripley in future Alien instalments.
“There are all kinds of younger actors taking this kind of role. And there was an Alien [film] that I really wanted to do with Neill Blomkamp and we didn’t get to do that, but, you know, that ship has sailed. I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I’ve put in my time in space!”
Weaver’s remarks come as a new Alien project began filming for Hulu with filmmaker Fede Alvarez at the helm. Fans had hoped that Alien: Romulus might treat us to a cameo from Weaver and mark her return to the series after 26 years away.
However, it seems the actress has lost interest in revisiting her iconic character following the cancellation of Neil Blomkamp’s Alien 5 in 2016. The project would’ve retconned Alien 3 and Resurrection, taking place following the events of 1986’s Aliens and seeing the return of Ellen Ripley and Corporal Dwayne Hicks.
Blomkamp’s project never went further than the director issuing some concept art that got fans very excited. Weaver subsequently confirmed she would return if Blomkamp’s idea went ahead. Ultimately, 20th Century Studios had the final say, and opted instead to green-light 2017’s Alien: Covenant with director Ridley Scott.
Fans have held out hope that Weaver was still on board for a return somewhere down the line, but it seems the actress has drawn a line under revisiting Ellen Ripley once and for all. We sure will miss her.
