Sigourney Weaver Hints at Return to the Alien Universe
New York, NY – Sigourney Weaver has sparked excitement among fans by suggesting a new Alien film is in development.Speaking at a New York Comic con panel alongside Jenette Goldstein and Gale Anne Hurd, Weaver alluded to a future project, adding to the anticipation surrounding the franchise’s expansion with the recently completed FX series, Alien: Earth.
Weaver, who famously portrayed Ellen Ripley in the original Alien (1979) and its subsequent sequels, praised the creative freedom Fox afforded the franchise’s directors-James Cameron, David Fincher, and Jean-Pierre Jeunet-in shaping the follow-up films. She also expressed enthusiasm for Alien: Earth, calling the cast, direction, and overall production “extraordinary.” Weaver recently met with the show’s star, Sydney Chandler.
The panel also revisited the making of the original Alien, with Weaver recalling being struck by the groundbreaking creature design by Carlo Rambaldi. “I’d never seen anything like that ever,” she told the audience. She also discussed her inspiration for Ripley, citing the work of Japanese actor Toshiro Mifune in Akira Kurosawa films. A memorable improvised moment-Ripley singing to herself during a confrontation with the Xenomorph-stemmed from Weaver’s consideration of how to cope in a terrifying situation.
The panel touched on the legacy of Badejo Badejo, the 26-year-old graphic designer who physically embodied the Xenomorph in the original film. Goldstein recounted that badejo, who sadly passed away at age 39 from sickle cell disease, was “scary as s–t [in the costume],” though occasionally undermined by his choice of blue sneakers.
Looking back at the original film’s release, Hurd recalled witnessing the audience’s visceral reaction to the chestburster scene at the Egyptian Theater in Hollywood, with some attendees leaving their seats in shock. Alien went on to win the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects and received a nomination for Best Art Direction.
However, Weaver delivered less optimistic news regarding Galaxy Quest 2, stating that Alan Rickman’s death has made a sequel unlikely. She revealed discussions had taken place about Benedict Cumberbatch perhaps taking on a role reminiscent of Rickman’s character, but acknowledged the difficulty of proceeding without him. Weaver also expressed regret that some of Rickman’s scenes where cut from the original film and wished for a director’s cut to be released.
