Thanks to the success of Alien: Romulus In recent weeks, it seems safe to say that the popular sci-fi franchise is back. One can imagine that Disney will now commission more installments in the series, but what form will that take? Well, if they so choose, it sounds like Sigourney Weaver is at least willing to return for one last ride as Ellen Ripley. Provided the script is good enough, that is.
Weaver recently spoke with Deadlinein a comprehensive, career-spanning interview. Of course, this means Foreigner and her time in the franchise has come up quite a bit. Finally, Weaver was asked if it would be possible to return as Ripley after all these years. While she’s not impatient to do so, the actress would at least consider it. Here’s what she had to say about it:
“How much does the audience really need or want another Ripley movie? I don’t really sit around and think about it, but if it came to that, I would consider it. It’s come up a few times, but I’m busy with other things too. Ripley deserves her rest.”
After four films, it is safe to say that Ripley has earned her rest. Weaver played in 1979 in Foreigner1986s Aliens, 1992s Aliens 3 and 1997 Alien: Rebirth. Eventually the law of diminishing returns caught up with the films and they went in a different direction, far away from the adventures of Ripley. Neill Blomkamp (District 9) tried to make a more direct sequel Aliens a few years ago, although the project failed. In this sense, Blomkamp is currently shooting another alien film called You found usbut that is neither here nor there.
It is fair to say that there is a market for another Ripley-centric Foreigner Film. Sequels to old movies are all the rage, with older actors from legendary franchises returning and joining a newer, younger cast that may make the series surpass what came before. It’s the “passing the torch” method. Weaver went on to explain that over the years, she has yet to read a script that made her want to step back into Ripley.
“I feel like she’s never far from me, but then again, I’ve never read a script that said, ‘This is what you have to do.’ So for me, she’s in this other dimension, safe from the Foreigner for now. 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.”
Meanwhile, Disney is satisfied with Romulusone of the biggest horror hits of the year. Director Fede Alvarez also revealed that he already has ideas for a sequel to the film.Whether that will happen remains to be seen, but as always, money rules. Be it a Romulus Sequel or follow-up to Ripley’s Legacy, another Alien film seems inevitable at this point. We’ll just have to wait and see what form that ultimately takes.
Alien: Romulus is in theaters now. For more, Read about Fede Alvarez’s great pitch for a new Alien vs Predator film.
