Lieutenant Ellen Ripley - as depicted by Sigourney Weaver throughout the Alien franchise - is widely regarded as one of the most iconic heroes to ever grace the big screen. In four films, Weaver brought the character to memorable life, facing off with various iterations of the acid-spewing creatures originally conceived by the late H.R. Giger.

For years following the 1997 release of Alien: Resurrection, rumors persisted that a fifth film could be in the works. However, when director Ridley Scott returned to the Alien universe with the prequel/reboot Prometheus instead of recruiting Weaver for another reprisal of her most famous role, it looked like audiences had seen the last of Ripley. Now Weaver herself has spoken out about her thoughts on a potential return to the franchise that made her a star.

According to the Los Angeles Times, the subject of Alien 5 came up at the Hero Complex Film Festival in Hollywood, where both the 1979 original film and its 1986 sequel were screened. Weaver particularly mentioned her belief that Ripley's internal struggle and hero's journey remain unresolved.

"Had we done a fifth one, I don't doubt that her humanity would have prevailed ... I do feel like there is more story to tell."

Weaver described Ripley as an "existential hero" and credited the franchise's longevity to the fact that its depiction of morally questionable corporations very much applies today.

"A lot of corporations are still characterized by the same kind of greed [as the film's Weyland-Yutani]. It’s an idea that’s, unfortunately, very alive in our world."

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Should a fifth Alien film come together, Weaver doesn't believe that it could take place on Earth, but she definitely thinks there is more to explore with Ripley.

"I feel a longing from fans for the story to be finished. I could imagine a situation where we finish telling the story."

The Terminator series is already bringing back star Arnold Schwarzenegger, despite the fact that he first played the title character 30 years ago. What, then, would Fox from finding a way to bring Weaver back as Ripley? The Alien franchise is just as well-remembered, and if Alien: Resurrection proved one thing, it's that death can't keep Ripley down for long (as its title suggests).

After all, Fox just unified its X-Men franchise to much critical acclaim (and box office dollars), and there's no good reason that - should the studio find the right story - Scott couldn't pull a Days of Future Past and bring the Prometheus and Alien worlds together in a way that didn't quite gel the first time around. Perhaps in the planned Prometheus 2? Given the shared science fiction universe the films are set in, virtually anything is possible.

Would you like to see Weaver back as Ripley, and if so, how would you want the character to return? Sound off in the comments section below.

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Stay tuned to Screen Rant for the latest news on the Alien franchise and the upcoming Prometheus sequel.

Source: Los Angeles Times