With Fede Alvarez‘s “Alien” movie in production now and a TV series in development over at FX (likely for FX On Hulu), it’s safe to say that the “Alien” franchise lives on. But don’t expect its main heroine to appear in future installments. Deadline (via Total Film) reports that Sigourney Weaver says her time as Ellen Ripley is over.
READ MORE: Isabela Merced Joins Fede Alvarez’s Upcoming ‘Alien’ Film For 20th Century
“There are all kinds of younger actors taking this kind of role. And there was an “Alien” [film] that I really wanted to do with Neill Blomkamp and we didn’t get to do that, but, you know, that ship has sailed,” Weaver said to Total Film. “I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I put in my time in space!”
After Weaver starred as Ripley in Ridley Scott‘s “Alien” in 1979, she reprised the role three more times: in James Cameron‘s 1986 sequel “Aliens,” David Fincher‘s “Alien 3” from 1992, and 1997’s “Alien: Resurrection.” Since then, there’s been a bunch of “Alien Vs. Predator” spinoffs and Scott’s two “Prometheus” films from 2012 and 2017 (the other being “Alien: Covenant“), but none of them have anything to do with Ripley. So if the space ship has indeed sailed for Weaver, then there’s nothing lost except maybe a bit of fan service.
Weaver looks back at her time as Ripley fondly, though. “I think Ridley has a lot to do with [the longevity of Ellen Ripley and “Alien”],” added the actress. “They made Ripley a woman, without making her this helpless creature. Because I think I was very lucky. These were men who were creating this woman character, but they liked and respected strong women.” Echoes of Ripley’s characterization are obvious in Scott’s “Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant,” with Noomi Rapace and Katherine Waterston‘s characters similar heroines.
Fede Alvarez already has his heroines for his “Alien” feature, though. Cailee Spaeny and Isabela Merced headline the cast of his upcoming film, which also includes David Johnson, Archie Reneaux, Spike Fearn, and Aileen Wu. As for when 20th Century Studios will have Alvarez’s movie ready for Hulu: who knows?
As for Weaver, she’s busy with Camerons’ “Avatar” sequels, but she stars next in Paul Schrader‘s “Master Gardener,” in theaters (finally!) next month. She also has Scott Derrickson‘s “The Gorge” in the pipeline for Apple Original Films. But as for a Ripley reprise? No thanks, says Weaver.