Alien: Romulus’ Ripley Easter Eggs Were Better Than A Sigourney Weaver Cameo

The nods to Ellen Ripley, the protagonist in the original Alien film, were more clever than simply including a Sigourney Weaver cameo in Alien: Romulus. Sigourney Weaver has appeared as Ripley in four Alien movies, the 1979 original, Aliens, Alien 3, and Alien: Resurrection, and is without a doubt the most recognizable character in the franchise. Therefore, it was likely tempting to include Ripley in Alien: 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 newest Alien film, there was a major Ripley Easter egg in Alien: Romulus. Ripley’s ship from the original Alien movie can be seen docked on Renaissance station in Alien: Romulus. This Easter egg is perfect because it pays tribute to the movie that started the whole Alien franchise, and doesn’t actually ruin any of the series’ continuity. Therefore, including a tease of Ripley’s ship was a better idea than Alien: Romulus actually 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 the Alien timeline, it wouldn’t have made sense for Weaver to appear as Ripley in Alien: Romulus. The newest Alien film takes place between the first movie and its sequel, Aliens. Ridley Scott’s original Alien movie ends with Ripley blasting the Xenomorph into space, then entering cryosleep. At the beginning of Aliens, 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 of Alien: Romulus, and her appearing in the film would have drastically impacted the series’ continuity.

Including Sigourney Weaver in Alien: Romulus would have been very distracting to viewers, and would have prevented the film from showcasing its new characters. Upon its release, Alien: Romulus faced controversy for making Rook look like Ash from the original Alien. Since Ian Holm, who played Ash in the original movie, passed away in 2020, the team behind Alien: Romulus had to use artificial intelligence to recreate his likeness. Since Weaver is older than she was when she starred in the first Alien, she would have had to be de-aged in Alien: 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 for Alien: Romulus. The inclusion of her ship in Alien: Romulus doesn’t retcon any of the previous Alien films, and successfully adds another layer to Ripley’s story. At the start of Aliens, viewers presumed that Ripley’s ship had been adrift in space for 57 years, but Alien: Romulus interestingly reveals that her ship was retrieved and stored on the Romulus before being sent back out into space.

Including Ripley’s ship in Alien: Romulus also allowed the film to avoid what could’ve potentially been a plot hole. At the start of Alien: 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 the Alien franchise.