Ellen Ripley’s death in “Alien 3” seemed like the end of the story . . . or so fans thought.
But according to Sigourney Weaver herself, there may be a path for Ripley’s return. (Or her clone, Ripley 8, from “Alien Resurrection?) Speaking at New York Comic Con, Weaver revealed that longtime “Alien” producer Walter Hill has written 50 pages outlining how her character could come back to the franchise.
Weaver said she’s already met with Disney (which now owns 20th Century Studios) to talk about the idea.
“[Walter] wrote 50 pages where Ripley would be now, and they are quite extraordinary,” she told the crowd. “I don’t know if it’s going to happen, but I have had a meeting with Fox, Disney, or whoever it is now.”
She admitted she never really felt the need to revisit Ripley’s story, saying, “I was always like, ‘Let her rest, let her recover.’” But Hill’s new take, she said, feels true to both Ripley and today’s world. “It’s very much about the society that would incarcerate someone who has tried to help mankind. She’s a problem to them, so she’s sort of tucked away.”
Weaver added that the new story begins in a powerful way and that she’s considering working with Hill to develop it further.
“It’s a very strong first 50 pages,” she said. “I’m thinking about working with Walter to see what the rest of the story would be.”
If this project moves forward, it would mark the first time Weaver has played Ripley in over two decades. But for fans, the idea of Weaver returning to the role that made her a sci-fi legend is enough to reignite the hope of seeing Ripley, battle-scarred, brilliant, and still fighting . . . one more time.