Sigourney Weaver Might Just Return as Ripley: What We Know So Far!

After years of saying "never again," our favorite xenomorph-battling hero, Sigourney Weaver, is seriously considering a comeback as Ellen Ripley in the Alien universe, thanks to an "extraordinary" new script! This is massive news for fans who thought Ripley's story was truly over.

TL;DR

• Sigourney Weaver is contemplating a return as Ellen Ripley after reading a "quite extraordinary" 50-page script from long-time franchise producer Walter Hill.
• The proposed story features Ripley "tucked away" by society, seen as a "problem" for trying to help mankind, promising a "very different" and "scary" take on her future.
• This marks a significant shift for Weaver, who previously stated her time with Ripley was over, and opens exciting new possibilities for the iconic sci-fi franchise.

Our Beloved Ripley Considers an Unexpected Comeback to the Alien Universe

Alright, fellow sci-fi junkies, get ready to hold onto your space helmets, because we've got some potentially monumental news straight out of New York Comic Con 2025! Sigourney Weaver, the one and only Ellen Ripley, has dropped a bombshell that could see her return to the Alien franchise. Yes, you read that right. After years of the door seeming firmly shut, Weaver is now openly discussing a potential comeback, all thanks to a "quite extraordinary" 50-page script.

The news came during an "Alien" reunion panel at NYCC on Friday, October 10, 2025, where Weaver, alongside her original co-star Veronica Cartwright (who played Joan Lambert), reflected on the enduring legacy of the genre-defining films. The conversation took an exhilarating turn when Weaver revealed that producer Walter Hill, a foundational figure in the franchise since 1979, has penned a new story focusing on where Ripley would be today.

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

— Sigourney Weaver at New York Comic Con 2025

This is a huge development, especially considering Weaver's previous stance. Back in 2023, following the shelving of Neill Blomkamp's proposed Alien 5, she had stated that "that ship has sailed" and that she had "put in [her] time in space!" Her current enthusiasm suggests Hill’s script offers something truly compelling and unique.

Unveiling the Intriguing Premise: Where Would Ellen Ripley Be Now?

So, what exactly has Walter Hill cooked up that has Sigourney Weaver, now 76 years old, reconsidering her retirement from the role? Weaver offered some tantalizing details, indicating this isn't just another run-and-gun space horror. The core idea is that Ripley would be seen as a "problem" by society for her attempts to protect humanity from the xenomorphs, leading to her being "sort of tucked away."

"She’s a problem to them, so she’s sort of tucked away," Weaver explained. "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." This concept immediately brings to mind a more reflective, perhaps even Kafkaesque, narrative rather than the intense action of previous installments. It hints at a psychological drama, exploring the cost of heroism and the inherent distrust society can harbor against those who challenge the status quo, especially with a corporate behemoth like Weyland-Yutani lurking in the background.

Weaver further clarified that this wouldn't be a retread of old ground. "It would not be running around airshafts, it would be a very different kind of Alien," she stated. However, don't despair, action fans: "Scary, of course, the Alien does show up, inevitable." This reassures us that the core horror element will remain, just perhaps presented in a fresh context. Weaver praised Hill's understanding of her character, noting he "really gets her strength and her anger and her humor, and it’s very hard to write, and surprisingly hard to write Ripley."

The idea of Ripley being incarcerated isn't entirely new within the franchise – Alien 3 saw her crash-land on a prison colony. However, the nuance here is her being imprisoned because of her past actions to save mankind, rather than just circumstance. This societal incarceration would provide a rich thematic landscape for an older, wiser, but still fierce Ripley to navigate.

A Look Back at Ripley's Unforgettable Journey and Groundbreaking Impact

For those new to the saga, or just needing a refresher, Ellen Ripley's journey began in Ridley Scott's 1979 masterpiece, Alien. As the warrant officer of the Nostromo, she was the lone survivor of a terrifying encounter with a deadly extraterrestrial creature. Her portrayal was groundbreaking, turning traditional horror tropes on their head by making the female character the ultimate survivor and hero.

Weaver reprised the role in James Cameron's 1986 sequel, Aliens, which earned her a Best Actress Oscar nomination – a truly "unheard of" feat for a genre film at the time, as Weaver herself recounted. She continued her fight in David Fincher's Alien 3 (1992) and Jean-Pierre Jeunet's Alien: Resurrection (1997), solidifying Ripley's place as one of cinema's most iconic and influential figures.

During the NYCC panel, Weaver shared fascinating anecdotes from the early days of the franchise. She recalled reading the initial script for Alien, thinking of it as a "very concise script, 10 Little Indians, knocking them off one by one." She didn't fully grasp the alien's design until meeting Ridley Scott and seeing the incredible artwork from H.R. Giger and Carlo Rambaldi, which "cinched the deal."

Veronica Cartwright added that the original film was initially underestimated by studio executives. "They didn't give a premiere. There was no premiere. I went down to the Egyptian Theatre in Hollywood and saw it by myself," she said. She vividly described how audiences were "getting up out of their seats and leaving the theater" during the infamous chestburster scene, underscoring the film's shocking impact. "We were just a B movie. Showed them."

Navigating On-Set Tensions and Artistic Visions During Early Productions

Weaver also delved into the behind-the-scenes dynamics of Aliens, particularly the infamous clashes between the British Pinewood Studios crew and director James Cameron. "What I remember is that they really loved Ridley, and they wanted Ridley to be directing this second film," Weaver explained. "They didn't know who Jim Cameron was. I didn't really know who he was. I just thought he wrote a great script."

The crew's initial skepticism was evident, with Cameron reportedly setting up screenings of his previous film, Terminator, only for "none of the crew to turn up." Weaver, who "loved Jim right away," found herself acting as a mediator. "It was very easy for me to go, 'Listen, yeah, I love Ridley too, but this guy wrote this and this film Terminator, and he knows what he's doing. He's a natural.'" Ultimately, Cameron's talent won them over, and "by the end, of course, they were devoted." This story highlights Weaver's commitment to the directors she works with and her pivotal role in the franchise's success.

Reflecting on Alien 3, Weaver expressed her "total confidence in David [Fincher]," praising Fox for "choosing very gifted directors who wanted to do something completely different with the Alien story." She acknowledged the challenges Fincher faced with the script, originally by Vincent Ward, which featured "monks in space" and Ripley in a coma for half the movie. Weaver noted that Fincher "would have loved a chance to work on the script before we had to start shooting," but despite the difficulties, she values the film for its "amazing group of actors, amazing crew."

The Current State of the Alien Universe and Future Possibilities

The Alien franchise has continued to expand in recent years, albeit without Ripley at the helm. We've seen prequels like Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Alien: Covenant, as well as a new FX TV series, Alien: Earth (which Weaver "loved"), and Fede Alvarez's 2024 film Alien: Romulus (which Weaver "liked"). These projects have explored different corners of the universe, often filling in the timeline between the original films.

Interestingly, reports indicate that a planned sequel to Alien: Romulus has stalled and is currently searching for a new director. This pause could potentially clear the path for a new, Ripley-centric film to take priority, especially with the original star's renewed interest. The global success of the franchise, which has amassed nearly $2 billion at the worldwide box office, clearly shows there's still a massive appetite for these stories.

Weaver shared her empathy for the newer cast members, like Sydney Chandler from Romulus, saying, "my heart goes out to them." She understands the pressure of carrying such a beloved legacy. Her advice to younger actors entering the franchise is wonderfully grounded: "don’t worry so much. It’s going to be fine. Just hit your mark. Say the lines, go for it. Don’t think about it when you go home."

Beyond the potential Alien return, Weaver is keeping busy, set to appear in the upcoming Star Wars movie, The Mandalorian and Grogu, slated for a May 22, 2026 release. In that film, she plays a Rebel pilot and will even have scenes with the adorable Grogu, a role she jokingly suggested was "probably why I did the movie."

Why a Return to Ellen Ripley's Story Matters Right Now

Sigourney Weaver's potential return as Ripley isn't just fan service; it represents a significant artistic opportunity. In an era where legacy sequels and character revivals are common, bringing back Ripley with a fresh, mature perspective, as described by Hill, could be truly impactful. It's a chance to explore themes of resilience, societal judgment, and the long-term trauma of fighting existential threats through the eyes of an older, iconic hero.

The fact that Weaver, after so many years, is genuinely moved by the script speaks volumes about its quality and depth. An "Alien" film that isn't focused on frantic airshaft chases, but on Ripley's inner world and her struggle against a society that fears what it doesn't understand, could be a compelling new direction. It would honor her legacy while pushing the character forward in a meaningful way. We're certainly holding our breath for more updates on this exciting possibility!

FAQs: Your Burning Questions About Ripley's Potential Return Will Sigourney Weaver definitely return as Ripley? Not definitively confirmed yet. Sigourney Weaver has stated she's considering it after reading 50 pages of a new script by Walter Hill and has met with Disney/Fox executives, but no final decision has been announced. Who wrote the new Alien script pages that have captivated Weaver? The 50 "quite extraordinary" pages were written by Walter Hill, a long-time producer and co-writer (Alien 3) for the Alien franchise since its inception in 1979. What's the premise of the potential new Ripley story? The story reportedly features Ripley being "tucked away" or incarcerated by society. She's seen as a "problem" because she tried to help mankind against the xenomorphs. Weaver describes it as a "very different kind of Alien" and not focused on "running around airshafts," but assures fans that "the Alien does show up, inevitable." When could this new Alien film, if it happens, be released? There's no timeline or release date mentioned. The project is still in the very early stages, with Weaver considering working with Walter Hill to develop the full story after reading the initial pages. It's a "glimmer of a chance" for now. Sources

• "Sigourney Weaver won't rule out returning to her seminal 'Alien' character Ripley" by Abbey White, The Hollywood Reporter (October 10, 2025)
• "Sigourney Weaver Met With ‘Alien’ Studio Execs About Bringing Ripley Back, Teases ‘Quite Extraordinary’ Idea" by Leia Mendoza, Variety (October 10, 2025)
• "Oscar Nominee Wants to Reprise Iconic Sci-Fi Role" by Ethan Cotler, The Daily Beast (October 10, 2025)
• "Sigourney Weaver Ponders Return to 'Alien' Franchise After Reading 'Very Strong' Script for a Sequel" by Danielle Ong, Enstarz.com (October 13, 2025)
• "Sigourney Weaver is considering reprising her role as Ripley in an upcoming 'Alien' installment." by Glenn Garner, Deadline (October 10, 2025)
• "Sigourney Weaver reveals that producer Walter Hill has started writing an Alien sequel script" by Simon Brew, Film Stories (October 13, 2025)
• "Sigourney Weaver reveals that producer Walter Hill has started writing an Alien sequel script detailing the further adventures of Ellen Ripley" by Comic Book Resources (October 13, 2025)
• "Ellen Ripley's sacrificial death at the end of 'Alien 3' seemed pretty finite . . . or so we thought." by The Rod Ryan Show (October 13, 2025)