It’s been more than 25 years since Sigourney Weaver played Ellen Ripley on the big screen…and that was definitively the last time.
She’s getting away from her, you bitch! Although Ellen Ripley is undoubtedly her trademark role, Sigourney Weaver will never play the character again, saying the Nostromo has sailed on that one.
Speaking with Total Film, the 73-year-old Sigourney Weaver confirmed she has officially hung up the ol’ pulse rifle as Ripley, giving her blessing to others. “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 put in my time in space!”
Sigourney Weaver also noted that one key reason for retiring Ripley is that the original’s director, Ridley Scott, is no longer involved. “I think Ridley has a lot to do with [the longevity of Ellen Ripley and Alien]…They made Ripley a woman, without making her this helpless creature. Because I think I was very lucky. These were men who were creating this woman character, but they liked and respected strong women.”
In addition to the Blomkamp project Sigourney Weaver referred to (which was ultimately dropped so Scott could direct Alien: Covenant), she was also pitched an idea for a fifth outing as Ripley that would fall by the wayside by the time Disney acquired Fox in 2019. Weaver or not, the Alien franchise will continue, with a TV series in active pre-production and the next movie already filming, with its director, Fede Álvarez, even sharing a picture just yesterday commemorating Alien Day.
Sigourney Weaver’s performances as Ellen Ripley, who is undoubtedly one of the most badass characters in movie history, are iconic, going back to 1979’s original and concluding all the way back in 1997 with Alien Resurrection. But it was her turn in the 1986 sequel, Aliens, that truly marked her as a force. Not only did Weaver earn an Oscar nomination–a rarity for an action movie–but this Ripley was named by the AFI as one of the greatest heroes ever.
How do you feel about Sigourney Weaver never playing Ellen Ripley again? Which younger actress could you see taking over the role? Let us know below!
