Alien franchise icon Sigourney Weaver receives the Venice Film Festival’s Golden Lion for Lifetime Achievement award today and to coincide with the achievement, Deadline conducted a thorough interview with her, during which they touched on the possibility of Sigourney ever returning to the world of Alien and reprising her role as Ellen Ripley. Read on for that excerpt of the interview:
DEADLINE: Cameron said recently “no one ever dies in science fiction.” Is there a future for Ellen Ripley on screen?
WEAVER: 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.
Interestingly enough, Sigourney also admits to not having seen Alien: Romulus yet and further adds she was never contacted for a potential cameo appearance in the latest Alien sequel by Fede Alvarez:
DEADLINE: What do you make of Alien: Romulus? Did you see it and was there ever a discussion that Ripley may appear in it (I’m aware Fede Álvarez has said the timeline wouldn’t work for Ripley to be in it)?
WEAVER: There wasn’t a discussion about Ripley being in it. I haven’t seen the new film. I might end up seeing it … I wish them all the best for it…
While we all love the Ellen Ripley character, her story arc did span a total of 4 films. She battled Xenomorphs for decades, was cloned and even resurrected from the dead. Does the franchise really need to resurrect her again? Perhaps Sigourney is right, Ripley has earned her rest. But what do you think? Let us know your thoughts in the comments!
Thanks to AvPGalaxy for the news!