Sigourney Weaver Hints at Epic Ellen Ripley Return, Igniting ‘Alien’ Franchise Hopes
After decades, the iconic star, 76, reveals a promising 50-page script from veteran producer Walter Hill, 83, hinting at a radically different, character-driven future for the legendary hero under Disney’s watchful eye.
New York City, NY – The universe of “Alien” may once again be graced by its most formidable hero, Ellen Ripley.
At 76 years old, the legendary Sigourney Weaver delighted thousands of fans at a New York Comic Con panel on Friday, October 10, 2025, by confirming active discussions with Disney – the current custodians of the revered horror franchise – regarding a potential return to her iconic role.
Weaver, who made her indelible mark on cinematic history as Ripley in Ridley Scott’s groundbreaking 1979 film “Alien,” revealed a significant development: “Alien” franchise producer and screenwriter Walter Hill, 83, has penned a compelling 50-page treatment detailing where Ripley’s journey would lead her now. “You know, Walter Hill is a very good friend of mine, and he wrote 50 pages of where Ripley would be now, and they are quite extraordinary,” Weaver shared with moderator Josh Horowitz and an eager audience.
For nearly three decades, since her last big-screen portrayal in 1997’s “Alien: Resurrection,” Weaver had maintained a stance of letting her character “rest.” However, Hill’s insightful narrative has clearly shifted her perspective. She described the script’s core premise as “so true” to Ripley, envisioning a society that “would incarcerate someone who has tried to help mankind, but she’s a problem to them, so she’s sort of tucked away.” This fresh, psychologically rich direction suggests a profound evolution for a character long admired for her resilience and fight against the terrifying Xenomorphs.
Ripley’s legacy within the nearly 46-year-old “Alien” franchise is unparalleled. As the sole survivor of the ill-fated commercial spaceship Nostromo in the original film, she transcended the typical horror protagonist to become a powerful, enduring hero across four main installments. While there was a previous attempt to revive her story with director Neill Blomkamp for a never-produced sequel, as Weaver mentioned to Total Film in 2023, the current prospect with Hill carries significant weight given his deep involvement with the series. Hill has produced all “Alien” films, including last year’s “Alien: Romulus,” and holds screenplay credits for “Aliens” (1986) and “Alien 3” (1992).
Weaver cautioned that this theoretical new “Alien” film would mark a departure from previous entries. “It would not be running around airshafts, it would be a very different kind of Alien,” she stated, though she reassured fans that “scary, of course, the Alien does show up, inevitable.” Her enthusiasm for Hill’s work stems from his nuanced understanding of her character: “I love what he’s done with the character. He really gets her strength and her anger and her humor, and it’s very hard to write, and surprisingly hard to write Ripley.”
Disney, having acquired the rights to the “Alien” saga through its Fox merger, has recently begun expanding the universe without its central figure. Last year’s “Alien: Romulus” introduced a new cast of young space colonists in a storyline set between the original “Alien” and “Aliens.” Additionally, August saw the debut of the FX and Hulu spinoff series “Alien: Earth,” which explores events preceding the 1979 classic. However, the prospect of Weaver’s return as Ripley undoubtedly stands as the most anticipated development for many long-time fans.
While the future of this potential project remains uncertain, the mere possibility of Sigourney Weaver reprising Ellen Ripley has ignited immense excitement. As fans eagerly await further news, Weaver can next be seen on the big screen in “Avatar: Fire and Ash,” scheduled for release on December 19.
