The nods to Ellen Ripley, the protagonist in the originalAlienfilm, were more clever than simply including a Sigourney Weaver cameo inAlien: Romulus. Sigourney Weaver has appeared as Ripley in fourAlienmovies, the 1979 original,Aliens,Alien 3, andAlien: Resurrection, and is without a doubt the most recognizable character in the franchise. Therefore, it was likely tempting to includeRipley inAlien: Romulus. However, it is good that writer/director Fede Álvarez chose not to include a Sigourney Weaver cameo.
While Sigourney Weaver did not appear in the newestAlienfilm, there was a majorRipley Easter egg inAlien: Romulus. Ripley’s ship from the originalAlienmovie can be seen docked on Renaissance station inAlien: Romulus. This Easter egg is perfect because it pays tribute to the movie that started the wholeAlienfranchise, and doesn’t actually ruin any of the series' continuity. Therefore,including a tease of Ripley’s ship was a better idea thanAlien: Romulusactually featuring Sigourney Weaver.
Sigourney Weaver Returning As Ripley In Alien: Romulus Would’ve Been Distracting
Including Ripley In Alien: Romulus Would Have Broken Canon
Based on theAlientimeline, it wouldn’t have made sense for Weaver to appear as Ripley inAlien: Romulus. The newestAlienfilm takes place between the first movie and its sequel,Aliens. Ridley Scott’s originalAlienmovie ends with Ripley blasting the Xenomorph into space, then entering cryosleep. At the beginning ofAliens, Ripley’s ship is rescued by the Weyland-Yutani corporation, and she is woken up after 57 years.Ripley was in cryosleep during the events ofAlien: Romulus, and her appearing in the film would have drastically impacted the series' continuity.
Since Weaver is older than she was when she starred in the firstAlien, she would have had to be de-aged inAlien: Romulus.
Including Sigourney Weaver inAlien: Romuluswould have been very distracting to viewers, and would have prevented the film from showcasing its new characters. Upon its release,Alien: Romulusfaced controversy for makingRook look like Ash from the originalAlien. Since Ian Holm, who played Ash in the original movie, passed away in 2020, the team behindAlien: Romulushad to use artificial intelligence to recreate his likeness. Since Weaver is older than she was when she starred in the firstAlien, she would have had to be de-aged inAlien: Romulus, which could have potentially led to even more controversy.
Alien: Romulus Took A Smart Approach With Ripley’s “Cameo”
Alien: Romulus Didn’t Need A Sigourney Weaver Cameo
Only showing Ripley’s ship and not including her in the flesh was without a doubt the smartest move forAlien: Romulus. The inclusion of her ship inAlien: Romulusdoesn’t retcon any of the previousAlienfilms, and successfully adds another layer to Ripley’s story. At the start ofAliens, viewers presumed that Ripley’s ship had been adrift in space for 57 years, butAlien: Romulusinterestingly reveals that her ship was retrieved and stored on the Romulus before being sent back out into space.
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Including Ripley’s ship inAlien: Romulusalso allowed the film to avoid what could’ve potentially been a plot hole. At the start ofAlien: Romulus, the Weyland-Yutani vessel was seen finding the Xenomorph Ripley fought in the original film, but not her ship. If her ship wasn’t included later in the movie, fans would have questioned why the same vessel didn’t also retrieve Ripley. However, this plot hole does not exist due to the inclusion of Ripley’s ship, which also served to gratify longtime fans of theAlienfranchise.
Alien: Romulus
Cast
Alien: Romulus is the seventh film in the Alien franchise. The movie is directed by Fede Álvarez and will focus on a new young group of characters who come face to face with the terrifying Xenomorphs. Alien: Romulus is a stand-alone film and takes place in a time not yet explored in the Alien franchise.
