Sigourney Weaver has officially confirmed her interest in returning to the legendary role of Ellen Ripley for a new instalment in the Alien franchise. While promoting her upcoming film Avatar: Fire and Ash in Paris on December 5, 2025, Weaver revealed she is “on board” with the idea after being impressed by a script treatment penned by longtime franchise producer Walter Hill.
The 76-year-old actress, who last played Ripley in 1997’s Alien: Resurrection, stated that plans are still in the very early stages but expressed optimism about the project. “I hope we do it because I think it will be wonderful and I think the fans would enjoy it,” Weaver told Variety. She noted that Hill, a close friend and key figure in the franchise since the 1979 original, has written approximately 50 pages exploring a new chapter for the character.
Weaver admitted she had previously been content to leave the role behind, often saying she wanted to “let her rest.” However, Hill’s new concept changed her perspective. She described the script as “quite extraordinary”. She praised its relevance, noting it depicts a society that would incarcerate someone like Ripley—a hero who tried to save humanity but is treated as a liability.
The potential project has already led to preliminary discussions with studio executives. Weaver mentioned she has had meetings with “Fox, Disney, or whoever it is now” to discuss the film’s feasibility. This development comes amid a resurgence of interest in the franchise following the release of Alien: Romulus and the upcoming TV series Alien: Earth.
For now, Weaver remains focused on the release of Avatar: Fire and Ash, which hits theatres on December 19, 2025. In the film, she reprises her role as Kiri, a Na’vi teenager with a deep spiritual connection to the planet Pandora. Yet, the prospect of her returning to battle Xenomorphs once more has undoubtedly sparked excitement among sci-fi fans worldwide.