While actress Sigourney Weaver brought Ellen Ripley to life in 1979 with her iconic turn in Alien, the franchise the character is from has been less lasting than her portrayal. Over the years, revivals have been attempted, but, now Weaver says it is totally dead.
The Oscar-nominated entertainer makes the comments about her breakout role in a new report published by Total Film. Essentially, she says she has done her time and these days it is younger people who need these kinds of roles. As well, she touches on a revival of her part of the franchise which almost got made, and, while it is sad it did not, you have to live with these things.
“There are all kinds of younger actors taking this kind of role. And there was an Alien I wanted to do with Neill Blomkamp and we didn’t get to do that, but, you know, that ship has sailed. I’m very happy doing what I’m doing. I put in my time in space!”
Weaver adds that part of why the character continues on today is because of original film director Ridley Scott’s creativity. Ripley (who was intended to be male at first) is also not made helpless or delicate like many female characters are in stories written by men over the centuries and, she says she was also lucky to have this happen and the men who made her respected tough women.
“These were men who were creating this woman character, but they liked and respected strong women.”
While this is certainly something fans of the franchise may not be happy to hear, there are a number of alternate endings for the character in different comic books and Weaver is doing alright with her work in the Avatar franchise and The Gorge release in the future. As for Alien, an untitled prequel film in the Prometheus series is in development along with a new standalone piece. As well, a television series is being developed for FX and, assuming it does go ahead, it will be set on earth in the very near-future.
