Sigourney Weaver shocked fans of the Alien franchise when, back in October 2025, she revealed that she had read a 50-page treatment by franchise producer Walter Hill for a new Alien movie. More than reading it, Weaver said she was in talks to return to the Alien franchise as her character, Ellen Ripley. This would mark the first time Weaver would be seen on screen as her most iconic film character since 1997’s Alien: Resurrection. Speaking with Variety, Sigourney Weaver was asked if she was excited about returning to the Alien franchise.
“We’re just taking it one step at a time. It is very interesting, and I really hope we do it. I think the fans will like it, but it’s very early days.”
While it seems that Weaver’s possible return to the franchise that made her a star is still some time off, the actress appears to have a lot of love for the script she read. What happens from here will ultimately come down to whether Disney agrees with the actress’ view that fans would like Hill’s treatment.
Where Does Sigourney Weaver’s Return Fit into the Current ‘Alien’ Plans?
20th Century Studios
Ripley’s last canonical appearance in the Alien franchise, Alien: Resurrection, took place in the franchise’s far-off future 2381. That film followed a clone, after Ripley had sacrificed herself at the end of Alien 3. Weaver had previously revealed that Hill’s new Alien pitch would revolve around Ripley being silenced for speaking out about the existence of Xenomorphs, suggesting her return film might retcon both Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection, or will at least take place closer to the events of Aliens. This would not be the first time the franchise has attempted to bring Weaver back to the Alien film series while also attempting to wipe away Alien 3 and Resurrection from the franchise timeline.
In 2015, District 9 director Neill Blomkamp was hired to develop a new Alien movie that would serve as a direct sequel to Aliens with Weaver set to reprise her role as Ellen Ripley, ignoring the events of Alien 3 and Alien: Resurrection. However, Blomkamp’s pitch was shelved in favor of Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant, a sequel to Prometheus that also looked to correct fans’ issues with Ridley Scott’s prequel. Any plans for Blomkamp’s Alien film were ultimately shelved with the combination of Alien: Covenant‘s disappointing box office performance and 20th Century Fox being acquired by the Walt Disney Company, leading to their own spin on the franchise.
Since Disney acquired 20th Century Fox, renaming it 20th Century Studios, the Alien franchise has entered an exciting new era. Alien: Romulus was a box office hit, and a sequel is in development, as the franchise finally found new characters outside of Ellen Ripley to carry the series forward. Alien: Earth wrapped up its critically acclaimed Season 1 in fall 2025 and has been renewed for Season 2. There are now talks of a new Alien vs. Predator movie following Predator: Badlands incorporating Aliens‘ Weyland-Yutani Corporation into the film. Now, with a new Ellen Ripley-centered Alien movie with Weaver potentially returning also on the table, it is clear 20th Century Studios has many avenues to keep the franchise going.
