Sigourney Weaver Eyes Ripley’s Return in New Alien Script
Sigourney Weaver has revealed she’s read a fresh 50-page script that could see her reprise her iconic role as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise. The project is still in its early days, but Weaver is open to developing the story further.
While out and about promoting her latest trip to Pandora for Avatar: Fire & Ash, Sigourney Weaver has dropped a few hints that she might be gearing up for another go at the Alien universe. The actor, who’s fronted four films in the series, has shared an update on a hush-hush script she first mentioned back in October. This new story would see Ellen Ripley back in action, tangling with facehuggers and making sure their offspring don’t get a free ride into the galaxy. But, as with most things in space, it’s not going to happen overnight.
“You know, we’re just taking it one step at a time,”
Weaver 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.”
Script Origins and Ripley’s New Challenge
The last time Weaver spoke about this untitled script, she revealed it was penned by Walter Hill, the long-time producer behind the Alien saga. The draft runs to 50 pages and apparently throws Ripley back into the thick of things after she’s been locked up for trying to shield 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,”
she 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 Current Momentum
Right now, the Alien series is enjoying a bit of a purple patch. The recent big-screen outing, Alien: Romulus, has gone down well with punters, and Noah Hawley’s TV series, Alien: Earth, has also been getting plenty of praise. On top of that, the Predator franchise has started to cross over with Alien, thanks to Predator: Badlands. With all this activity, it seems like a pretty good time to bring Ripley and the Alien queen back for another round.