Why Upcoming Alien Movies and TV Shows Struggle to Bring Back Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley

While the Alien franchise has an exciting lineup of three upcoming films and TV shows, the prospect of bringing back Sigourney Weaver’s legendary character, Ellen Ripley, appears limited. Known for her resilience against the terrifying Xenomorphs across multiple installments, Ripley remains a seminal figure in the series. Weaver’s portrayal not only solidified her status as a Hollywood icon but also influenced the development of the “final girl”trope in horror cinema—a trend that continues with characters like Cailee Spaeny’s Rain Carradine in the anticipated 2024 film Alien: Romulus.

As one of the franchise’s most beloved heroes, there exists a strong desire among fans to witness Ripley’s return in future adaptations. The success of franchises such as Beetlejuice, which revived past characters and achieved box office triumphs recently, proves that revivals can be both feasible and lucrative. Weaver has hinted at the possibility of Ripley returning and acknowledges that Alien: Romulus contains numerous references to the iconic final girl. However, the current trajectory of the Alien franchise does not seem to accommodate a plausible return for this iconic character.

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 Return

Alien: a Xenomorph with Earth in the background.

The Alien universe is set to expand with three confirmed projects, including movies and TV series. Unfortunately, the established timeline presents considerable obstacles for Ripley’s return. Following Alien: Resurrection, speculation about Weaver’s involvement in another Alien film emerged, driven by an abandoned narrative from the mid-1990s pivoting around a Xenomorph encounter on Earth. Notable figures like Joss Whedon, James Cameron, and Neill Blomkamp were attached to various iterations of this idea. However, the original concept for the fifth film ultimately transitioned into the FX series Alien: Earth, which is currently in development.

Upcoming Alien Movies & TV Shows
Project	Premise	Release Date
Alien: Earth	Set in 2120, a young woman and tactical soldiers confront a cataclysmic threat following a crash-landing.	2025
Ridley Scott’s Alien Movie	Details remain unclear, but it likely follows the narrative established in Alien: Covenant.	TBC
Alien: Romulus Sequel	Plot details are under wraps, yet it may continue the adventures of Rain and Andy post-Romulus.	TBC

With the USCSS Nostromo launching in the same timeframe as Alien: Earth, there is little room to justify Ripley’s involvement. The sequel to Ridley Scott’s projects could potentially delve into the unresolved threads of the prequel series centered around the android David, further limiting the opportunities for Ripley’s character to intersect. Additionally, the confirmed sequel to Alien: Romulus, featuring Rain and Andy, does not appear conducive to Ripley’s reappearance either.

Why the Alien Franchise Still Needs Ripley

Ripley’s Story is Key to the Franchise

The narrative of Alien: Romulus highlights connections essential to the franchise, emphasizing how crucial Ripley is to the overarching story. The catastrophic events on Renaissance are intrinsically linked to Ripley’s history following her narrow escape from the ruthless Xenomorph in the original Alien film. After ejecting the beast into the vacuum of space, Ripley entered cryosleep. However, Weyland-Yutani’s discovery of the Nostromo’s wreckage led to the extraction of a Xenomorph cocoon for experimentation, ultimately causing the crisis in Alien: Romulus.

As the franchise pivots towards new characters, it is prudent to draw from established narratives, like Ripley’s, as Alien: Romulus effectively does. Such allusions help maintain audience engagement and continuity within the series. While Alien: Earth could benefit from connections to the timeline, it is not essential for overall success. Many fans long for Ripley’s return in the Alien universe; however, utilizing de-aging technology to recreate her character might not be the optimal approach.

The Best Approach for Sigourney Weaver’s Ripley in the Alien Franchise

Weaver’s Conditions Suggest Subtle References May Be Most Effective

Sigourney Weaver as Ellen Ripley in Front of Posters from Alien- Romulus

The most effective way for Ripley to reemerge in the Alien franchise would be through clever Easter eggs and subtle nods. While Alien: Romulus includes many references to Ripley, some critics accuse it of leaning excessively on nostalgia—a tactic that does keep her legacy fresh in public consciousness. Rather than a full-blown CGI cameo, a more sophisticated approach that integrates her essence through clever references would be far more appreciated.

“Ripley has earned her rest.”- Sigourney Weaver,
Deadline

In a recent interview with Deadline in August 2024, Weaver remarked, “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.’”Further contemplating public interest, she queried, “How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie?”Her statements hint that a strong script combined with audience demand could potentially entice her return. For now, however, it appears that Ripley will remain absent from any upcoming Alien projects.

Sources: Deadline.

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