Sigourney Weaver Teases Ripley's Return After New Alien Script Reveal

Ripley might not be done clocking in. Sigourney Weaver says the door is open for her to return to the Alien franchise, and yes, there is actually something on paper. Nothing official yet, but it sounds like the wheels are quietly turning.

Where things stand right now

Weaver just gave Variety a small but promising update on whether she is suiting up again:

You know, we are just taking it one step at a time. 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 is very early days.

Translation: talks are happening, she is into it, but do not expect a release date any time soon.

How we got here

Back in October at New York Comic-Con, Weaver surprised fans by saying Walter Hill wrote a 50-page look at where Ripley would be now. She called it extraordinary and mentioned she has already met with the studio. Her exact phrasing was that she met with 'Fox, Disney, or whoever it is now' — which is her polite way of saying 20th Century Studios is owned by Disney.

Worth noting: Weaver has long said she did not feel the need to revisit Ripley, preferring to let the character rest. But Hill's pages apparently changed her mind because the take felt true to Ripley and digs into a society that would punish someone who tried to help humanity. That is a very Alien thing to explore, and the kind of character-first angle that could actually justify bringing her back.

Quick franchise refresher

• 1979: Alien - Weaver debuts as Ellen Ripley.
• 1986: Aliens - The James Cameron sequel that turned Ripley into a sci-fi icon.
• 1992: Alien 3 - Ripley returns under David Fincher, production drama and all.
• 1997: Alien Resurrection - Ripley is back as a clone. Yes, technically a clone.
• 2004: Alien vs. Predator - No Weaver.
• 2007: Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem - Still no Weaver.
• 2012: Prometheus - Ridley Scott prequel, no Ripley.
• 2017: Alien: Covenant - Scott again, still no Ripley.
• 2024: Alien: Romulus - New story, new cast, no Weaver.

What is actually greenlit

As of now, there is no officially announced Alien project starring Weaver. What is real: a sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development at 20th Century Studios, and it does not have a release date yet.

The read on all this

This is one of those situations where the pieces are there: a trusted collaborator (Hill) has a serious treatment, Weaver has met with the studio, and she is publicly optimistic while still hedging with 'early days.' That usually means the creative is enticing but the business and timing need to line up. If they do, we might see Ripley again in a way that actually earns it rather than just trading on nostalgia.