Ellen Ripley is an iconic character and Sigourney Weaver is a screen icon but it's too late for her to return to the Aliens, seeing her wielding that flamethrower was truly a sight to behold. Every major female hero in movies since owes both Alien's Ripley and Weaver a tip of the hat.
Ripley debuted in the original 1979 Alien film, but while she was resourceful there, she was also a survivor and not a fighter. It wasn't until James Cameron's sequel that Ripley became the character she's best known as, although that character oddly wouldn't last long as Alien 3 saw Ripley - devastated by the deaths of Hicks and Newt - struggling to survive once again. That struggle ended with her death, then eventual cloning for Alien: Resurrection.
Neither Weaver nor Ripley has had any involvement with the Alien franchise in the 20-plus years since Resurrection, but that hasn't stopped fans from pining for Ripley's return. It's not hard to understand why, as Weaver has always excelled in the role, regardless of the quality of the movie around her. Unfortunately, at this point, it's likely too late for a Ripley return to happen in a way that would please audiences.
The Current Alien Franchise Is A Mess
Alien: Resurrection was released to theaters in 1997, meaning it's over 20 years since a proper entry in the Alien franchise was produced. Alien: Covenant, which tends to be viewed in a more negative light.
At this juncture, Scott has repeatedly suggested he might make a third in the Alien prequel line, although it looks unclear as to what form that might take. Additionally, FX and Alien: Resurrection's Ripley 8 clone running around.
Alien Missed The Best Chance For Ripley's Return
While the works of director Neill Blomkamp since he broke out with District 9 have been up and down, it's fair to say many Alien fans were excited when it looked like Blomkamp would get to bring his idea for an Aliens sequel to life. Often referred to as Alien 5 due to lack of an official title, Blomkamp's script was a direct sequel to James Cameron's Aliens and completely retconned the events of Alien 3 and Resurrection. That means that not only would the real Ripley be back in the mix, but so would the unceremoniously killed off characters of Corporal Hicks, Newt and Bishop the android.
Beyond that, it's unclear exactly what Avatar 2-5 - despite her character's death - production of which isn't remotely close to being done, limiting her availability.
How Alien Could Still Make A Ripley Cameo Work
While a return of Sigourney Weaver to the Ellen Ripley role in a future Alien movie is probably not the greatest idea, for the reasons stated above, that doesn't mean she can't ever appear in any capacity. For example, an older Ripley could play a ing role in a movie set decades after Aliens, perhaps having further evolved into the leader of some kind of resistance against the always malevolent Weyland-Yutani Corporation. A disillusioned Hicks also could've left the colonial marines and ed Ripley's crusade, explaining an appearance by him as well. While Weaver's Ellen Ripley could figure into the plot, she could serve in a more advisory-type role to a new protagonist, someone who perhaps reminds Ripley of her younger self.
Possibly the best scenario of that type could see a new Alien partially adapt the acclaimed Alien: Isolation video game, and focus the plot on her daughter Amanda Ripley. Amanda could be searching for her mother, and perhaps eventually find her, leading to a brief but cathartic reunion. The biggest hurdle to any of these scenarios would be viewers' willingness to accept Ellen Ripley appearing in an Alien movie and not being at the center of the story, and making Amanda Ripley the main character could help alleviate that. There's also Weaver's willingness to do the same, as she's very protective of the Ripley character and may not like the idea of her taking a backseat to someone else. For now, though, the character remains retired and it may well be too late for Sigourney Weaver to return as Alien's iconic hero Ripley.
