Alien: Sigourney Weaver Might Return as Ripley in New Movie
There is already a first draft of the script
One of the most iconic action heroines in film history could return once again! Hollywood legend Sigourney Weaver spoke at the New York Comic Con about a possible "Alien" sequel with her character Ellen Ripley. According to the report, the actress has already met with those responsible at Disney and Fox.
And a first draft of the script already exists! "Alien" veteran Walter Hill has currently written 50 pages for it. Weaver originally wanted to give her character a rest, but the new script has convinced her otherwise.
"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."
Hill has been closely connected with the sci-fi saga from the beginning. He was involved in all the "Alien" films either as a screenwriter or producer. Sigourney Weaver starred from the first "Alien" in 1979 to "Alien: Resurrection". Her character Ellen Ripley is one of the first action heroines in film history and is considered an icon of the science fiction genre today.
However, the new "Ripley" project has not yet been given the green light – it is still at the very beginning of the development phase. Only time will tell whether Ripley will have to face the xenomorph again.
The latest projects in the Alien series
The movie "Alien: Romulus" was released in 2024. A sequel is already in the works. Find out all the details here. In 2025, another "Alien" project attracted attention: Most recently, "Alien: Earth" was the first series in the franchise to be shown on Disney Plus. You can also stream all the films in the sci-fi saga there.
Ellen Ripley: An icon of sci-fi cinema
Sigourney Weaver not only revolutionized the science fiction genre in Ridley Scott's 1979 film "Alien", but also the female role in action cinema. Ripley is a multi-layered, strong and intelligent protagonist – at a time when female heroines were still rare in blockbusters. Through her four film appearances, Ripley became an icon in the film world and in pop culture. Without a doubt, she is the great focal point of the "Alien" saga. Today, her name is almost synonymous with the "Alien" series itself.
The Alien films at a glance
The "Alien" series comprises four main films with Ellen Ripley as the protagonist, as well as several prequels and spin-offs.
Alien
"Alien" is without question a milestone in sci-fi horror. In a claustrophobic atmosphere, the crew of the spaceship Nostromo encounters a deadly alien creature. Ridley Scott's film captivates with its aesthetics, H.R. Giger's biomechanical creature design and the slow build-up of tension. Ripley becomes a survivor and acquires the status of a new cinematic heroine.
Aliens
James Cameron's second part focuses more on action than horror. Ripley returns with a squad of space marines to the planet where the alien was discovered. "Aliens" became a box office hit and finally turned the series into a pop culture phenomenon. The first two films are generally regarded as the best entries in the series.
Alien³
In a bleak, nihilistic atmosphere, Ripley ends up in a penal colony, pursued by another alien. Overall, "Alien 3" was controversially received and director David Fincher is also notoriously unhappy with the movie. But Fincher has of course developed into one of the greatest directors of our time over the years.
Alien: Resurrection
"Alien: Resurrection" is set 200 years after the events of the third installment. The film focuses on grotesque aesthetics and moments of black humor. Here, Ripley's role is elevated to a mythological figure. But overall, part 4 was less well received by audiences – and led to a long cinema break for the franchise.
Prometheus
Ridley Scott returns to the origins – but not with a classic "Alien" film, but a philosophical sci-fi epic about creation and hubris. A team of researchers follows a trail to the "Engineers", the alleged creators of humanity, and stumbles upon a deadly truth. "Prometheus" is visually convincing, raises existential questions and shifts the focus from the xenomorph to the origin of life itself. However, not all "Alien" fans liked this approach. To this day, the camps are divided – some fans appreciate "Prometheus", but by no means all of them.
Alien: Covenant
The sequel to "Prometheus" returns to the classic "Alien" formula. A colonization mission turns into a deadly nightmare when the crew meets the android David on the alien planet. "Alien: Covenant" combines horror with dark thoughts about artificial intelligence, power and creation. However, "Covenant" also received a mixed reception overall.
Alien: Romulus
Set between "Alien" and "Aliens", Romulus returns to the roots of the franchise – claustrophobic, brutal and pared down. A young crew encounters the ultimate horror in an abandoned space station. Without recourse to familiar characters such as Ripley, the film concentrates entirely on the fight for survival against the Xenomorph – and is based on the atmosphere of the original.
