Sigourney Weaver Teases Ellen Ripley's Return to Alien

After nearly three decades away from the role that made her a science fiction icon, Sigourney Weaver is opening the door to a return as Ellen Ripley in a new Alien film. The actress, currently promoting Avatar: Fire and Ash, has provided encouraging updates about a potential fifth appearance as the legendary character who last graced screens in 1997's Alien: Resurrection.

Walter Hill's Vision for Ripley's Return

The foundation for this potential comeback began with longtime collaborator Walter Hill, who served as producer on the original Alien and contributed significantly to the franchise's development. At New York Comic Con earlier this year, Weaver revealed that Hill had written a compelling 50-page treatment exploring where Ripley would be decades after her last appearance.

"Walter Hill is a very good friend of mine, and he wrote 50 pages where Ripley would be now, and they are quite extraordinary," Weaver shared with fans. "I don't know if it's going to happen, but I have had a meeting with Fox, Disney, or whoever it is now."

What makes Hill's approach particularly intriguing is its thematic depth. According to Weaver, the script examines how society might treat someone who sacrificed so much to protect humanity. "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 at Comic Con. "She's a problem to them, so she's sort of tucked away."

Taking It One Step at a Time

During recent interviews while promoting the upcoming Avatar sequel, Weaver provided the most current status update on the project. Speaking with Variety, she acknowledged the delicate nature of returning to such an iconic role.

"You know, we're just taking it one step at a time," Weaver said. "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."

Her cautious optimism reflects both the complexity of reviving a character with such cultural significance and the early stage of development. While nothing has been officially announced by 20th Century Studios, Weaver's genuine interest in the project is unmistakable.

Why Now? The Case for Ripley's Legacy

For years, Weaver maintained that Ripley's story had reached its natural conclusion. "I said I have never felt the need [to revisit Ripley]. I was always like, let her rest, let her recover," she admitted at Comic Con. However, Hill's treatment changed her perspective by framing a return through contemporary social issues.

The timing appears particularly relevant given Hollywood's current fascination with legacy sequels. The approach—bringing back beloved characters decades later to explore their impact and evolution—has proven successful across multiple franchises. A thoughtful examination of Ripley's place in a society that might view her as inconvenient rather than heroic offers rich dramatic possibilities.

The Franchise Landscape

The Alien universe has continued without Ripley through films like Prometheus, Alien: Covenant, and most recently Alien: Romulus. The franchise has proven its enduring popularity, with Romulus performing well at the box office and the new streaming series Alien: Earth recently being renewed for a second season.

Currently, 20th Century Studios has confirmed only a sequel to Alien: Romulus on their slate, with no announced release date. This means any Ripley-focused project would need to fit into Disney's broader plans for the franchise while distinguishing itself from recent entries.

Ellen Ripley's Enduring Impact

Ripley's significance extends far beyond the Alien films themselves. When Weaver first took on the role in 1979, the character had originally been written as a man. Director Ridley Scott's decision to gender-swap the role early in production proved transformative for both the film and action cinema as a whole.

Weaver's performance in Aliens earned her an Academy Award nomination for Best Actress—a landmark moment when horror and science fiction films rarely received such recognition. The character became a template for future action heroines, proving that female-led blockbusters could succeed both commercially and critically.

Across four films spanning from 1979 to 1997, Ripley evolved from a working-class warrant officer to humanity's most determined defender against the Xenomorph threat. Each film explored different facets of her character while maintaining the core attributes that made her compelling: intelligence, resourcefulness, and unwavering determination.

What Fans Can Expect

If Hill and Weaver's collaboration moves forward, audiences can anticipate something more substantive than a simple nostalgia play. Weaver's description of the treatment suggests a story grappling with justice, trauma, and the price of heroism—themes that resonate powerfully in contemporary society.

"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," Weaver revealed, indicating her active involvement in developing the concept further.

The actress is currently appearing in promotional tours for Avatar: Fire and Ash, where she plays the teenage character Kiri, demonstrating her continued commitment to challenging roles within major franchises. Her dual involvement with both the Avatar and potentially Alien franchises showcases her unique position in modern science fiction cinema.

The Road Ahead

While no official announcements have been made, the pieces seem to be aligning. Weaver is interested and engaged. Hill has created a compelling framework. Disney has meetings happening. The franchise maintains strong commercial viability. The only question remaining is whether all these elements can coalesce into a greenlit production.

For fans who have waited 28 years to see Ripley return, Weaver's recent comments represent the most concrete hope yet. Her emphasis that "it's very early days" tempers expectations appropriately, but her genuine enthusiasm—"I hope we do it, because I think it will be wonderful"—suggests this is more than mere speculation.

As one of science fiction's most iconic characters potentially prepares for one more mission, audiences worldwide will be watching closely. If Ellen Ripley does return to face the Xenomorphs once more, it will mark not just a legacy sequel, but a continuation of a character who fundamentally changed what action heroes could be and who could play them.