LongtimeAlienstar Sigourney Weaver addresses her future in the classic science fiction franchise.Alienbegan with an eponymous Ridley Scott-directed release in 1979. Weaver starred as Ellen Ripley, a character who would go on to become a key figure in theAlienfranchisealongside other talented names like Tom Skerritt, Veronica Cartwright, Harry Dean Stanton, and John Hurt. Since starring in the first release, Weaver has gone on to reprise her role in three subsequent installments.
In a recent interview withDeadline, Weaver reveals thatshe will likely not be returning to theAlienfranchise again. Even though she did not completely shut down the possibility of returning, she adds that she’s busy doing other things and Ripley has earned her rest. Read her full comments below:
I feel like she’s never far away from me, but on the other hand I have yet to read a script that said “you have got to do this." So for me, she is in this other dimension, safe from the Alien for the time being. I don’t really think about it, but you know, it’s not completely impossible, and certainly a lot of good filmmakers are inspired by the material. How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie? I don’t really sit around and think about it, but if it came up, I would consider it. It has come up a bunch of times, but I’m also busy doing other things. Ripley has earned her rest.
Why Alien 5 with Sigourney Weaver Has Failed To Materialize
The Alien Franchise Has Gone In Other Directions
Even after the first four originalAlienmovies, one of which earned Weaver a nomination for the Academy Award for Best Actress and also cemented the film series as one of the best science fiction series around, the franchise carried on with other spin-offs and prequels. However, since the release ofAlien 4,there have been several attempts at producing a direct follow-upto the original movies and also bringing back Weaver to reprise her iconic role.
Even after numerous failed attempts, there are still reports that adirect follow-up to the original Alien movies might eventually happen, but it appears with Weaver’s latest comments, she will likely not be starring in it.
James Cameron and Joss Whedon were the early names attached to the project. The former, who had previously helmedAliens, left the project after revealing that he felt likeAlien vs. Predatordesecrated his character. After scriptingAlien: Resurrection,Whedon’sAlien 5did not materialize after reports suggested that Sigourney Weaver didn’t like the premise of the movie, which was set on Earth.
Every Attempt At Alien 5 (& Why They Failed)
Many creators have attempted to make Alien 5 over the years, including James Cameron and Neil Blonkamp, but a direct sequel still seems out of reach.
South African director Neil Blonkampis the most recent name that has been attached toAlien 5, but his version also failed to see the light of day because Fox decided not to pick up the project and instead decided to focus on Scott’s prequel series. Blonkamp’s sequel would haveignored the events ofAlien 3andAlien: Resurrectionand would have seen the return of Hicks. Even after numerous failed attempts, there are still reports that adirect follow-up to the originalAlienmovies might eventually happen, but it appears with Weaver’s latest comments, she will likely not be starring in it.
Alien
Cast
Alien, directed by Ridley Scott, is a science fiction horror film that follows the crew of the commercial spacecraft Nostromo. Upon investigating a distress signal on a distant moon, they discover a deadly extraterrestrial lifeform. The film stars Sigourney Weaver as Ripley and became a seminal work in both the sci-fi and horror genres, known for its atmospheric tension and groundbreaking visual effects.
