The nods to Ellen Ripley, the protagonist of the original Foreigner film, were smarter than simply including a Sigourney Weaver cameo in Alien: Romulus. Sigourney Weaver appeared as Ripley in four Foreigner films, the original from 1979, Aliens, Alien 3and Alien: Resurrectionand is undoubtedly the most recognized character in the franchise. So it was probably tempting to include Ripley in the Alien: Romulus. However, it’s a good thing that writer/director Fede Álvarez chose not to include a Sigourney Weaver cameo.
Although Sigourney Weaver did not appear in the newest Foreigner movie, there was a big Ripley Easter egg in Alien: Romulus. Ripley’s ship from the original Foreigner film can be seen docked at the Renaissance station in Alien: Romulus. This Easter egg is perfect because it pays homage to the movie that started the whole thing. Foreigner franchise, and it doesn’t actually ruin the continuity of the series. Therefore, including a tease of Ripley’s ship was a better idea than Alien: Romulus actually with Sigourney Weaver.
Sigourney Weaver returning as Ripley in Alien: Romulus would have been a distraction
Including Ripley in Alien: Romulus would have broken canon
Based on Foreigner timeline, it wouldn’t make sense for Weaver to appear as Ripley in Alien: Romulus. The youngest Foreigner the film takes place between the first film and its sequel, Aliens. Original by Ridley Scott Foreigner the film ends with Ripley launching the Xenomorph into space and then entering cryosleep. At the beginning of AliensRipley’s ship is rescued by the Weyland-Yutani corporation and she is awakened after 57 years. Ripley was in cryogenic sleep during the events of Alien: Romulusand his appearance in the film would have drastically impacted the continuity of the series.
How Weaver Is Older Than When She Starred In The First Foreignershe would have to grow old in Alien: Romulus.
Including Sigourney Weaver in Alien: Romulus would have been very disturbing for viewersand would have prevented the film from introducing its new characters. After its release, Alien: Romulus faced controversy for making Rook look like Ash from the original Foreigner. Since Ian Holm, who played Ash in the original film, passed away in 2020, the team behind Alien: Romulus had to use artificial intelligence to recreate his image. How Weaver Is Older Than When She Starred In The First Foreignershe would have to grow old in Alien: Romuluswhich 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
Just showing Ripley’s ship and not including it in the flesh was arguably the smartest move for Alien: Romulus. The inclusion of your ship in Alien: Romulus Don’t retcon any of the above Foreigner films and successfully adds another layer to Ripley’s story. At the beginning of Aliensviewers assumed that Ripley’s ship had been adrift in space for 57 years, but Alien: Romulus interestingly reveals that his ship was recovered and stored on Romulus before being sent back into space.
Including Ripley’s ship in Alien: Romulus it also allowed the film to avoid what could have been a plot hole. At the beginning of Alien: Romulusthe Weyland-Yutani ship was seen encountering the Xenomorph Ripley that fought in the original film, but not her ship. If her ship wasn’t included later in the film, fans would have questioned why the same ship 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 Foreigner franchise.