Sigourney Weaver delivered one of the most nostalgic and crowd-pleasing moments of the 2026 Oscars when she revisited a legendary line from her sci-fi past – this time with a distinctly Star Wars twist.
Taking the stage alongside Pedro Pascal to present awards for Best Production Design and Best Visual Effects, the screen icon was teased by her co-star about her long history with otherworldly creatures. The playful exchange reached its peak when it was revealed that Grogu – the beloved “Baby Yoda” from The Mandalorian universe – was seated in the audience.
© Los Angeles Times via Getty ImagCo-presenters Sigourney Weaver and Pedro Pascal
With impeccable comic timing, Sigourney declared, “Get away from him, you b*tch!” – a cheeky take on her famous line from the 1986 film Aliens. In the original scene, her character Ellen Ripley confronts the alien queen while protecting young Newt, creating one of the most enduring moments in sci-fi cinema. The callback delighted fans and underscored her lasting cultural influence across generations of genre storytelling.
Sigourney and Pedro are set to appear together in The Mandalorian & Grogu, due for release in May 2026, where she will portray Colonel Ward, a formidable former Rebel Alliance figure.
© FilmMagicSigourney wore an elegant gold floor-length gown to the 2026 Oscars
The veteran actress brought understated elegance to the red carpet in a refined evening look that balanced classic Hollywood glamour with modern sophistication.
Inside the ceremony, the 76-year-old shared in the celebration as Avatar: Fire and Ash won Best Visual Effects – a victory particularly meaningful given her long collaboration with director James Cameron. Sigourney has appeared in all entries of the Avatar series, as Dr Grace Augustine.
© Getty Images The Academy via GetThe co-stars shared a funny moment together
Over the course of her career, Sigourney has earned three Academy Award nominations for performances in Aliens, Working Girl and Gorillas in the Mist, becoming one of the rare actors to achieve critical acclaim across both blockbuster and prestige cinema.
Her work has consistently challenged conventions, particularly in portraying complex female protagonists in male-dominated genres. The actress has been married to stage director Jim Simpson since 1984, and the couple share a daughter.
© Getty ImagesSigourney with the winners of the Best Visual Effects award for Avatar: Fire and Ash
Sigourney also posed in the press room with the visual effects winners from Avatar: Fire and Ash. This victory makes the Avatar franchise three-for-three in this category, joining The Lord of the Rings as the only other franchise to achieve such a sweep