Summary:
- Sigourney Weaver shares that Alien 3 was challenging to film because the director, David Fincher, didn’t have full control over the project.
- She’s open to playing Ellen Ripley again but hasn’t found a script that makes her want to return to the role.
With Alien: Romulus now lighting up the box office, Sigourney Weaver, the legendary face of the Alien series, is naturally getting asked about her iconic role as Ellen Ripley.
In a recent interview with Deadline, Weaver shared her thoughts on one particular sequel while addressing the big question: would she ever step back into Ripley’s shoes again?
Weaver first took a moment to reflect on David Fincher’s Alien 3, a film that has garnered a devoted following over the years despite its polarizing reception. The film, known for its bleak tone, picks up after the events of Aliens, unceremoniously killing off Newt and Hicks off-screen and leaving Ripley stranded on a brutal prison planet.
While Fincher has largely distanced himself from the film, Weaver offered her own perspective on Alien 3 after all these years.
“I could sense David was fighting for every shot, every day. It was tough, and I’m sorry he didn’t get a chance to fully shape the script before we started filming,” Weaver explained. “It made the whole process much more difficult.”
She continued, “I remember the original script by Vincent Ward—it was about monks in a monastery, and Ripley was in a coma for half the movie. The lack of studio support was really palpable.
That was a turning point when studios shifted their focus from ‘let’s make great films’ to ‘let’s not lose money.’ Hiring David Fincher for his first film was a brilliant move, but not supporting him was a huge mistake. Filming in England gave us some breathing room, but it was still a challenging experience.”
Weaver added, “I heard recently that David has disowned the project, and that saddens me because I loved working with him, and I think we made a good film. I’m glad he eventually got to create his version. We had an amazing ensemble cast.”
As for the possibility of her returning to the Alien franchise in the future?
Weaver shared, “Ripley is always close to my heart, but I haven’t come across a script that’s made me think, ‘I have to do this.’ For now, she’s safe in another dimension, away from the Alien. I don’t dwell on it, but it’s not entirely out of the realm of possibility, especially since many talented filmmakers are drawn to the material.”
She then mused, “How much do audiences really need or want another Ripley film? It’s not something I focus on, but if the right opportunity came along, I’d consider it. It’s come up a few times, but I’m also busy with other projects. Ripley has earned her rest.”
