Sigourney Weaver Unearths the Truth Behind Canceled 'Alien' Projects

Grab your pulse rifles, because Sigourney Weaver, the legendary Ellen Ripley herself, just dropped some serious intel on the 'Alien' franchise's past and potential future, including the real reason Neill Blomkamp's much-hyped sequel never saw the light of day.

TL;DR

• Sigourney Weaver confirmed Ridley Scott's "possessiveness" over the 'Alien' series led to the cancellation of Neill Blomkamp's beloved 'Alien 5' script.
• Blomkamp's film would have ignored 'Alien 3' and brought back Ripley, Newt, and Hicks for a direct sequel to 'Aliens'.
• Weaver is now intrigued by a "very different" new 50-page treatment by Walter Hill, imagining Ripley as a 200-year-old, sidelined figure.

When Ridley Scott Decided "Get Away From Her, You Bitch!" to a Sequel

Imagine a monster looming, ready to turn a helpless child into something truly hideous. But then, a fierce protector bursts in with a defiant, "Get away from her, you bitch!" While Ridley Scott probably didn't utter those iconic lines from 'Aliens' when he halted Neill Blomkamp's proposed sequel, Sigourney Weaver suggests the sentiment wasn't far off. Speaking at a masterclass during a November 7th, 2025, screening of the original 1979 'Alien' at the Cinémathèque Française in Paris, Weaver candidly explained the ill-fated project's demise.

"It was a wonderful script," Weaver revealed to attendees (Source: AVP Galaxy, "Sigourney Weaver Talks Walter Hill’s...," November 10, 2025). "And unfortunately, it was at that point I think that Ridley Scott decided to be very possessive about the series and really drilled down on his prequels. And so I think it was a disaster for that project." Her words finally confirmed what many fans had long suspected about the movie that would have reunited her with characters like Newt and Hicks.

The Rise and Fall of Neill Blomkamp's Visionary 'Alien 5'

Neill Blomkamp, who exploded onto the sci-fi scene with his critically acclaimed 2009 film 'District 9,' had developed an 'Alien' sequel that promised to be a direct continuation of 'Aliens.' This meant it would have effectively ignored the events of 'Alien 3' and 'Alien: Resurrection,' offering a fresh timeline for fans yearning to see Ripley, Newt, and Corporal Hicks return. Weaver herself was a big admirer of Blomkamp, having worked with him on 'Chappie,' and confirmed her enthusiasm for his idea.

Concept art for Blomkamp's 'Alien 5' first surfaced in early 2015, generating immense excitement among the fanbase. 20th Century Fox even greenlit the project, signaling a hopeful direction for the franchise. However, by the end of that same year, the film was put on hold indefinitely. The reason, as Weaver now explicitly states, was Ridley Scott's renewed focus on his own prequel series, 'Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant.'

"It was a wonderful script and unfortunately, it was at that point I think that Ridley Scott decided to be very possessive about the series and really drilled down on his prequels. And so I think it was a disaster for that project."

— Sigourney Weaver on Neill Blomkamp's 'Alien 5' cancellation (Source: AVP Galaxy)

There's been a bit of a cinematic he-said-she-said over the years regarding the existence of a full script. While Weaver and 'Aliens' director James Cameron both stated they had read Blomkamp's "amazing" script, Ridley Scott maintained there was only ever an "idea and a treatment" (Source: Dark Horizons, "Sigourney Weaver Spills the Beans on Alien 5’s Tragic End," November 10, 2025). Regardless, Scott's decision to prioritize his prequels ultimately sealed the fate of Blomkamp's vision, leaving a significant "what if" in the franchise's history.

Blomkamp's Post-District 9 Journey and His 'Alien' Disinterest

After the groundbreaking success of 'District 9,' which used alien outsiders as a powerful metaphor for South African apartheid, Neill Blomkamp's subsequent films have received more mixed critical reactions. His 2013 sci-fi feature 'Elysium' and the more recent 2023 video game adaptation 'Gran Turismo: Based on a True Story' exemplify this varied reception, as shown by their Rotten Tomatoes scores. Despite this, Weaver's admiration for his talent remained clear, citing her positive experience working with him on 'Chappie.'

The shelving of his 'Alien' project seemingly had a lasting impact on Blomkamp. When asked about 'Alien 5' during a 'Gran Turismo' press run a couple of years ago, his response was stark: "It's hard to define how little I care about what happens with 'Alien'" (Source: Fortress of Solitude, "Sigourney Weaver Reveals Why Neill Blomkamp’s ‘Alien 5’ Was Cancelled," November 10, 2025). The interview reportedly ended shortly after this statement, highlighting the director's clear detachment from the franchise.

An Intriguing New Chapter: Walter Hill's 'Alien V' and a 200-Year-Old Ripley

Beyond Blomkamp's canceled project, Weaver also shed light on another potential 'Alien' return, this time penned by Walter Hill. Hill is not only a respected filmmaker known for gritty crime flicks like 'The Warriors,' but also a producer who helped bring the original 'Alien' to life. Weaver revealed that Hill has written "about 50 pages," possibly more by now, detailing where Ripley might be in the future.

Despite her long-standing sentiment that she "never particularly wanted to go back to the series," Weaver finds Hill's approach "intriguing." This new story envisions Ripley as being "around 200 years old," sidelined by society, a company, or even the world itself, yet still undeniably Ripley with "these problems still out there." Crucially, Weaver emphasized that Hill's script would be "a very different kind of story," steering clear of typical "running around through airshafts" action, promising a more character-driven narrative.

The status of Hill's 'Alien V' script remains uncertain, but Weaver's cautious interest suggests a unique opportunity to explore Ripley's character in a fresh, unconventional way. This concept aligns well with the evolving trend of legacy franchises looking for innovative storytelling rather than relying solely on nostalgia.

The Future of the Franchise: Lessons from 'Predator' and 'Alien: Earth'

Weaver also voiced strong support for Noah Hawley's upcoming 'Alien: Earth' series, calling it "remarkable." She found its themes of a world where "each tech bro owns a planet" to be "so interesting, terrifying about our world," reflecting current societal concerns. Her enthusiasm for 'Alien: Earth' signals a belief that the franchise can thrive by embracing new narratives and perspectives.

The 'Predator' franchise offers a compelling blueprint for how established brands can innovate. Director Dan Trachtenberg successfully revitalized 'Predator' with films like 'Prey' and the recent 'Predator: Badlands,' which introduced a Yautja (Predator) as the protagonist and explored different time periods and genres. This willingness to experiment, rather than simply retread old ground, has resonated deeply with audiences and critics alike.

For example: Imagine a veteran detective, celebrated for solving a decades-old cold case, but now confined to a desk, her expertise sidelined by a new, flashy AI system. When an eerily similar crime surfaces, she's reluctantly brought back, not for her physical prowess, but for her unparalleled understanding of human (or xenomorph) nature, forcing her to adapt to a world that has moved on without her. This mirrors the kind of thoughtful, character-focused return a 200-year-old Ripley could offer, moving beyond simple action to explore themes of aging, relevance, and societal change.

The Balancing Act of Legacy: Counterpoints and Considerations

While the prospect of Sigourney Weaver returning as Ripley is undeniably exciting, it's a move fraught with challenges. One limitation is the ever-present temptation for legacy franchises to lean too heavily on fan service and nostalgia, potentially diluting the impact of a new story. The success of a Ripley return hinges on finding a truly compelling narrative that expands her character, rather than just rehashing past glories.

Another counterpoint is the inherent risk of de-aging technology. While advancements in CGI have allowed actors to appear younger in some films, the "uncanny valley" effect can still be a distraction, and some argue it detracts from an actor's natural performance. Weaver's potential return, especially if Hill's script embraces her age, could avoid this by focusing on a new kind of challenge for Ripley, rather than attempting to recreate her younger self.

Practical Takeaways for the 'Alien' Future

• Embrace New Storytelling: The success of 'Alien: Earth' and Trachtenberg's 'Predator' films shows that fresh perspectives, not just nostalgia, are key to revitalizing a franchise.
• Focus on Character Evolution: A return for Ripley should explore new facets of her character, like Hill's "200-year-old" concept, rather than simply revisiting old tropes.
• Creative Control Matters: Ridley Scott's strong vision, while a gift to the original film, also highlights how single-minded creative control can sometimes stifle other promising projects.
• Quality Over Quantity: Weaver's "wait and see" approach to Hill's script underscores that for iconic characters, the strength of the material is paramount to any comeback.

FAQ

Is Sigourney Weaver returning as Ripley in a new 'Alien' movie? While nothing is officially confirmed, Sigourney Weaver is openly discussing a 50-page treatment by Walter Hill that could see her return as Ripley in a "very different kind of story." She finds the concept intriguing but is waiting to see how the script develops. Why was Neill Blomkamp's 'Alien 5' canceled? According to Sigourney Weaver, Ridley Scott's "possessiveness" over the 'Alien' series led him to prioritize his prequels ('Prometheus' and 'Alien: Covenant'), effectively halting Blomkamp's project despite a "wonderful script." What was Neill Blomkamp's 'Alien 5' about? Blomkamp's vision was a direct sequel to 'Aliens' that would have disregarded 'Alien 3' and 'Alien: Resurrection.' It aimed to bring back Ripley, Newt, and Corporal Hicks to face a new Alien Queen. What is 'Alien: Earth'? 'Alien: Earth' is an upcoming series from showrunner Noah Hawley. Sigourney Weaver expressed strong support for it, praising its "remarkable" and "terrifying" exploration of a world where "each tech bro owns a planet."

Sources

• AVP Galaxy, "Sigourney Weaver Talks Walter Hill’s...," November 10, 2025.
• Dark Horizons, "Sigourney Weaver Spills the Beans on Alien 5’s Tragic End," November 10, 2025.
• Fortress of Solitude, "Sigourney Weaver Reveals Why Neill Blomkamp’s ‘Alien 5’ Was Cancelled," November 10, 2025.