Sigourney Weaver Confirms THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU Role; Addresses Potential Ripley Return

Sigourney Weaver Confirms THE MANDALORIAN & GROGU Role; Addresses Potential Ripley Return

Sci-fi icon Sigourney Weaver has confirmed that she's joined the cast of Jon Favreau's The Mandalorian feature, while also weighing in on the possibility of returning to the role of Ellen Ripley...

By MarkCassidy - Aug 28, 2024 10:08 AM EST
Filed Under: Star Wars
Source: Via SFF Gazette

Sigourney Weaver is a true legend of the sci-fi genre, having appeared in the likes of Ghostbusters, Avatar, and, of course, the Alien movies, which she led as the iconic Ellen Ripley in the first four films prior to the franchise being revived with Ridley Scott's Prometheus in 2012.

Weaver also played the villain in Netflix's The Defenders series, but her MCU stint was short-lived when her character was killed-off by Elektra.

Fans have often wondered if Weaver might take a trip to the Galaxy Far, Far Away at some point, and earlier this year, the trades reported that she was in talks for a key role in Lucasfilm's The Mandalorian and Grogu.

During an interview with Deadline, Weaver confirmed that she has signed on for the movie and is set to begin shooting very soon.

"I’m playing a role in The Mandalorian & Grogu [which will be directed by Jon Favreau]. I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day. I’m filming that before I go to London for The Tempest at the end of the year."

Weaver didn't share any details on her character, unfortunately, but there are rumors that she could be playing the main villain.

The three-time Academy Award-nominee also weighed in on potentially returning as Ripley down the line, and it sounds like she's definitely open to the possibility if the right script comes her way.

"I feel like she’s never far away from me, but on the other hand I have yet to read a script that said “you have got to do this.” So for me, she is in this other dimension, safe from the Alien for the time being. I don’t really think about it, but you know, it’s not completely impossible, and certainly a lot of good filmmakers are inspired by the material.

How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie? I don’t really sit around and think about it, but if it came up, I would consider it. It has come up a bunch of times, but I’m also busy doing other things. Ripley has earned her rest."

The Mandalorian creator Jon Favreau is set to direct and produce the big-screen spin-off, with Lucasfilm President Kathleen Kennedy and chief creative officer Dave Filoni also serving as producers.

Pedro Pascal will return as Din Djarin, but the extent of his involvement (he may only voice the character) in unclear, as he is currently busy shooting Marvel Studios' The Fantastic Four: First Steps.

The Mandalorian & Grogu is set to hit theaters on May 22, 2026

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MarvelousMarty
MarvelousMarty - 8/28/2024, 10:18 AM
It would have to be something really special to get Ripley back.
Izaizaiza
Izaizaiza - 8/28/2024, 10:22 AM
Just saw alien Romulus last week. Started off so strong... And turned into just a mess. At the end of the day, I guess I would give a two out of five stars
McMurdo
McMurdo - 8/28/2024, 10:53 AM
@Izaizaiza - yup 👍💯
ObserverIO
ObserverIO - 8/28/2024, 11:58 AM
@Izaizaiza - Felt like a lesser Resurrection, but I had fun with it in the same way I have fun with like AvP.
Izaizaiza
Izaizaiza - 8/28/2024, 12:06 PM
@ObserverIO - Me too. Fun ride, but ultimately kind of silly, especially for me when I find it impossible not to compare it to Alien, which is, in my book, one of the smartest and most subtle films ever made
WhatIfRickJames
WhatIfRickJames - 8/28/2024, 10:23 AM
Alien vs. Star Wars

Do it. Put a facehugger on Grogu and then have a tiny Xenomorph running around
The1st
The1st - 8/28/2024, 11:05 AM
@WhatIfRickJames - Nah man, Grogu would eat it.

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Spoken
Spoken - 8/28/2024, 10:29 AM
All I got from her response to reprise her role as Ridley is...
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xfan320
xfan320 - 8/28/2024, 10:30 AM
An old Ripley?

The first thing that comes to mind is a story about a Dying Earth, where Ripley is part of a resistance trying to topple and expose the Weyland-Yutani Organization for their part in the fall of Humanity.

Stylistically, Blade Runner + BR2049 + Aliens on Earth, with a pinch of Terminator and Mad Max
TheRogue
TheRogue - 8/28/2024, 11:05 AM
@xfan320 - Man whenever I hear about this it sounds way over the top. Should stay in comics as a what if imo.
TheVisionary25
TheVisionary25 - 8/28/2024, 10:33 AM
Cool!!.

I could see her being a senator in this or underworld crime figure (perhaps even the main villain?).

Anyway , looking forward to seeing her in this!!.

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HashTagSwagg
HashTagSwagg - 8/28/2024, 11:01 AM
Ripley is dead, unless she's back as Ripley 8 I'd rather they move on with the franchise.
FireandBlood
FireandBlood - 8/28/2024, 11:04 AM
Four years today RIP 🕊️

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mountainman
mountainman - 8/28/2024, 11:16 AM
Weaver is a great actress, but most of her big movie roles in recent years have been pretty bland. Specially Avatar, her recent Ghostbusters appearances and The Defenders. I haven’t seen her in her smaller recent roles, but I have to assume she is still a talented actress. Hoping she gets utilized properly here.
Gambito
Gambito - 8/28/2024, 11:27 AM
@mountainman - Watch Paul
TheRogue
TheRogue - 8/28/2024, 11:35 AM
@mountainman - Honestly when you list them, she kinda ruled the screen whenever she was on. Except for maybe defenders. Ive never apprecaited her screen presence, even if script is bad, she always does good job.

Except for defenders. That was a bad show so I dont blame her. And you can she wasnt giving much to work with than "lady doesent want to die"

I havent actually seen her lately though to be fair.
mountainman
mountainman - 8/28/2024, 11:51 AM
@TheRogue - In both Avatar movies I found her to be bland. But most characters in those movies were bland so it has to be writing or directing and not her acting that caused that.

Ghostbusters 2016 and Afterlife were both movies that weren’t good (2016 was much worse) so her being in them will be elevated above the other actors. But I can’t say she was used well.

Either way, I just hope she isn’t the typical role where they cast an older actress who has been renowned for years and just make her the generic corporate villain (like Susan Sarandon in Blue Beetle and many more examples of this). Just give her something meaty. I think she could do well as an Empire (oops New Order) leader. But I would love it if she is more interesting than that. Maybe another Mandelorian. Maybe some random underworld criminal leader. Or ideally (in my book at least) a villain from a new group that isn’t one of the standard Star Wars villain groups.
mountainman
mountainman - 8/28/2024, 11:56 AM
@Gambito - I forgot about Paul and that is the most recent thing I’ve seen her in where she really stood out.
TheRogue
TheRogue - 8/28/2024, 5:18 PM
@mountainman - Avatar 1 I thought she was great, and held up most of the scenes. Though that section was fairly good from hwhat I remember. I dont like her being a kids voice though lol.

Ghostbusters eh, she was mostly tiyn cameos. I personally think her 2016 role was bad, cause im a pretty open but making the one woman character from the first one a respectful scientist but making the rest of the cast buffoons was something.

Again though, I think she is definilty stand out, and makes everything better when she's on screen.

Though im not excited for mando and grogu
mountainman
mountainman - 8/28/2024, 7:42 PM
@TheRogue - After the end of Mando S2 I would have been excited about a movie announcement. Not so much right now. Star Wars is going to have to string some good projects together before I get excited for it again.
TheRogue
TheRogue - 8/28/2024, 8:43 PM
@mountainman - Imo its a terrible idea. I wish they would cancel. Im deadly serious.
TheVandalore
TheVandalore - 8/28/2024, 11:20 AM
Well I mean, Ripley is dead. Her story is over. There is a hybrid Alien/Ripley clone on Earth with a replicant Winona Ryder, but that isn't Ripley, it's essentially another character with different characteristics and motivations. That thing is not Ripley. So it's more like "do we need another movie with that thing?" I don't. I think Resurrection was a pointless film that added nothing necessary to the lore and was basically a blatant cash grab. Bringing Weaver back in any capacity would just be unnecessary.
Gambito
Gambito - 8/28/2024, 11:30 AM
Sigourney a true legend of the genre starring in the highest grossing films and still working to this day , the alien movies with her are precious all of them bringing her would be terrible she can no longer do action plus no studio would have her as the lead she would have a stupid mentor role like Ellen Burstyn on the latest exorcist [frick] that sigourney stick to the avatars for now stoked to see her in Mando
Order66
Order66 - 8/28/2024, 11:37 AM
Bring Ripley back and make Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection non canon and bring back Newt.
Spoken
Spoken - 8/28/2024, 11:41 AM
@Order66 - Ridley Scott killed any chances of that years ago if I remember correctly.
JustAWaffle
JustAWaffle - 8/28/2024, 12:29 PM
Sigourney Weaver was great in her day. Today she makes everything she’s in super generic somehow.
TheRogue
TheRogue - 8/28/2024, 8:44 PM
@JustAWaffle - Meh. Whenever she appears in a movie I know it will be at least interesting
ModHaterSLADE
ModHaterSLADE - 8/28/2024, 12:35 PM
Good for her, hope it's better than the role she got for Defenders.
gulducati
gulducati - 8/28/2024, 2:26 PM
Neill Blomkamp was going to do a film that ignored Alien 3 and 4, and paired Ripley up again with Hicks and Newt once again. That was exciting to Weaver, who was all in for it. Sadly, never got made.
nhoj3
nhoj3 - 8/28/2024, 4:46 PM
I love Sigourney Weaver, but please no to "Star Wars".

The celebrity casting in season 3 was cringe. The episode with Jack Black, Christopher Lloyd, and Lizzo completely jumped the shark and turned "The Mandalorian" into "Batman (1966)".
BlackStar25
BlackStar25 - 8/28/2024, 6:25 PM
As someone who recently just finishing watching all the Alien movies.....NAH! RIPLEY IS DONE. You had your chances to extend her story and you drown it!....Speared it in the chest. AND JUMPED INTO THE FLAMES! ITS DONE! I don't bring up that Ripley Clone BS!

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