Despite theAlienfranchise having three upcoming movies and TV shows, none of them really have the means to bring back Sigourney Weaver’s iconic Ellen Ripley.Ellen Ripley is one of the best characters in theAlienmovies, having survived her encounters with various Xenomorphs across three installments, with her clone appearing in the fourth film. As a result, Sigourney Weaver has a well-earned reputation through theAlienfranchise for starting the final girl trend, which is still adhered to with recentAlienmovies' protagonists, namely Cailee Spaeny’s Rain Carradine in the 2024 movieAlien: Romulus.
As one of theAlienmovies' most memorable protagonists, some fans of the sci-fi franchise want to see the return of Ripley in future projects. Other sequels have effectively brought back previous characters decades after their original appearance, as evidenced byBeetlejuice Beetlejuice’s box office record-breaking success in the summer of 2024, showing that it is possible and profitable. Weaver has also addressed Ripley’s potential comeback andAlien: Romulusincludes plenty of nods toAlien’s famous final girl.However, the current plans for theAlienfranchise do not provide a sensible opportunity for Weaver’s return.
None Of Alien’s Upcoming Projects Can Bring Back Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley In A Way That Makes Sense
Alien’s Timeline Doesn’t Support Ripley’s Reappearance
There are currently three confirmedupcomingAlienmovies and TV shows, yet sadly, none of them seem to have the ability to bring back Ripley due to timeline concerns. FollowingAlien Resurrection,there were many rumors about anotherAlienmovie with Weaver, with an idea established in the mid-90s of a storyline involving a Xenomorph on Earth. There have been many names — such as Joss Whedon, James Cameron, and Neill Blomkamp — tied with the project. However,Alien’soriginal fifth movie idea was eventually developed into an FX series calledAlien: Earthinstead, whichbegan production on July 19.
Release Date
Alien: Earth
Set in 2120, a young woman and a group of tactical soldiers are faced with Earth’s greatest threat after a spaceship crash-lands.
2025
Unknown, but possibly followsAlien: Covenant
Unknown, but possibly follows Rain and Andy’s journey afterAlien: Romulus
TBC
Considering the USCSS Nostromo departed Earth the same year thatAlien: Earthis set, it doesn’t provide a practical timeframe for Ripley’s return. The secondAlienproject, a continuation of Ridley Scott’s movies, could possibly focus on the unfinished prequel film series about the android David. If this is the case, then it doesn’t make sense for Ripley to appear in this project either, as it is set beforeAlien. Furthermore, withRain and Andy confirmed for anAlien: Romulussequel, the timeline does not match up for Ripley to make an appearance in this movie either.
Why The Alien Franchise Still Needs Ripley
Ripley’s Story Is Integral To The Franchise
Alien: Romulusfeatures connections that unite the franchise, showcasing whyAlienstill needs Ripley. The reason why Renaissancewas overrun with Xenomorphs is all due to Ripley and the events of the 1979 movie. Following Ripley’s lucky escape from the deadly creature inAlien, she blasted the Xenomorph out of the airlock and went into cryosleep. However,Weyland-Yutani found the USCSS Nostromo’s wreckage and was able to extract a cocoon containing the Xenomorphfor future study. The experiments on the Xenomorph happened on Renaissance, the main setting of 2024’sAlien: Romulus, tying the modern movie back to the franchise’s roots.
Sigourney Weaver Will Become Even More Of A Sci-Fi Icon In 2026 After Alien & Avatar Movies
Sigourney Weaver’s casting in 2026’s The Mandalorian and Grogu movie will make her even more of a sci-fi icon following Alien and Avatar’s success.
With other projects focusing on newAliencharacters, it would therefore be logical to followAlien: Romulus’approach in alluding to previously established stories such as Ripley’s, making it easier for audiences to follow along.Alien: Earthcould benefit from a movie connection to secure its timelineplacement, but it is not exactly necessary for the series to succeed.As a fan favorite,it concurs that many would want to see Ripley return to theAlienfranchise, especially with de-aging technology available, but a proper character reprisal might not be the best way for her to return.
The Best Way To Bring Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley Back To The Alien Franchise
Weaver’s Conditions Mean References Might Be Best
The best way for the iconic character to make a reappearance in theAlienfranchise is through Easter eggs and subtle references.Alien: Romulusfeatures many Ripley Easter eggs, although some claim that the movie leaned a little too far into nostalgia bait — but it kept Ripley’s character alive in people’s minds. Instead of relying on a fully-fledged cameo appearance, which might require de-aging technology and CGI (something which many disliked about Ian Holm’sAlien: Romuluscameo as Rook),a future Ripley “cameo” would be much more enjoyable through clever tie-in references.
“Ripley has earned her rest.” - Sigourney Weaver,Deadline.
Weaver addressed Ripley’s return toAlienin an interview withDeadlinein August 2024, wherein she stated: “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.'“Weaver also questioned “How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie?“Sigourney Weaver’s comments seem to indicate that an impressive script paired with audience demand would make her consider returning. However, for now, it appears that she will not be featured inAlienprojects any time soon.
Sources:Deadline.
Alien
The Alien franchise, which began with Ridley Scott’s 1979 film, is a Sci-Fi series comprised of several horror films, games, and comic books centered on humanity’s encounters with a hostile extraterrestrial species known as Xenomorphs. Characterized by their lethal prowess and capability to reproduce at an alarming rate, these creatures pose a profound threat to human existence. The primary series protagonist, Ellen Ripley, acts as the voice of reason as she seeks to keep the creatures out of the hands of greed-driven corporate scientists.
