Sigourney Weaver's role as the iconic Xenomorph-battling Ellen Ripley from the Alien franchise has made her not only one of the biggest stars in action and sci-fi but also a worldwide phenomenon. Released at a time when it was rare to see such a butt-kicking, strong woman on screen, Weaver helped change the cinema landscape and the roles that women could portray.
Ellen Ripley, the no-nonsense, tough, working-class Warrant Officer was first introduced to audiences aboard the USCSS Nostromo space freighter, where she was the sole survivor with humanity's first encounter with Xenomorphs. Through subsequent entries in the series, she has proved herself time after time as one of the most capable and incorruptible figures in all of cinema, something that cannot be said for all of the characters in Sigourney Weaver's filmography.
10 Wouldn't: Ciccerus Is Just As Bad As A Xenomorph
One thing that connects almost all movie monsters together throughout the history of cinema is their unrelenting desire to bring forth death into the world. Whether it is the animalistic Xenomorphs or a vampire, their endgame is always the same—their survival at the expense of your life.
Weaver's character, Ciccerus, in 2012's comedy-horror Vamps is one such creature; an ancient, blood-sucking vampire who will do anything to prolong her un-life on Earth, no matter who she has to kill to achieve her goal. These characteristics are far too similar to that of the creatures from Alien, and for that, it is easy to see that Ripley would despise Ciccerus just as much as she does the Xenomorphs.
9 Would: Dr. Grace Augustine Is A Space-Faring Heroine Who Fights Against The Man
While Ripley develops an understandable distrust of scientists during events of the Alien movies, it is hard to imagine that she wouldn't respect the work that Dr. Augustine does in Avatar. A woman who goes out of her way to protect the native Navi of the planet Pandora, all the while battling against the oppressive military force who goes against everything she is trying to achieve. The similarities between her and Ripley's fight against Weyland-Yutani are uncanny.
The tough, chain-smoking doctor is another instance of Weaver portraying a strong female lead in a world where men seem to go out of their way to throw a wrench into everything she is doing. It is easy to imagine the two of them kicking back and discussing their hatred of authority together over a few drinks.
8 Wouldn't: Max Conners Is A Con-Artist, While Ripley Works Hard For A Living
Weaver portrays the swindling, criminal mastermind Max Conners in the 2001 comedy film Heartbreakers, which sees her, and her daughter Page (played by Jennifer Love Hewitt) come together to part a group of wealthy men from their money. While Ripley may appreciate the act of sticking it to a bunch of wealthy bigwigs, her moral code would definitely be at odds with Max's methods.
Seen as somewhat of a stickler for the rules, at least at the beginning of Alien what with her insistence on Kane's quarantine, it's hard to imagine that Ripley would be okay with any kind of criminal or illegal activity.
7 Would: Dana Barrett Is Another Woman Attacked By Evil, Outside Forces
Much like Ellen Ripley, Dana Barrett in Ghostbusters and Ghostbusters II is a hard-working, talented woman who just won't be left alone by sinister, otherworldly beings. As if being possessed by Zuul in the original film wasn't bad enough, she continues to be terrorized by the ghosts of New York in its sequel—this time coming after her infant son as well.
Parallels can be drawn from Dana's dealings with the ghosts and Ripley's confrontation with the Xenomorphs in the first two Alien films. Especially when taking into account how in Aliens the creatures not only go after her but also her adoptive daughter Newt.
6 Wouldn't: Alexandra Reid Is The Head Of A Sinister, Criminal Organization
Featuring prominently in Marvel's The Defenders TV show, Weaver's performance of Alexandra Reid, head of The Hand, is as captivating as it is terrifying. A woman who would definitely be at odds with Ripley, she is as evil as she is conniving and powerful.
Not only content with leading a deadly group of assassins, but Reid is also responsible for Elektra's corruption, turning her against the show's heroes, and controlling her every action and move. This would go against all things that Ripley fights for; with Reid using her powers to make the world a worse place, and also taking advantage of a strong, powerful female hero while doing so.
5 Would: Dian Fossey Is A Tragic Icon Who Fought To Make The World A Better Place
Portraying the real-life conservationist Dian Fossey in the academy-award nominated biopic Gorillas in the Mist has been one of Sigourney Weaver's most critically acclaimed roles to date. Telling the tragic story of Fossey's work in Rwanda and her eventual murder, she is a figure who Ripley would no doubt have a huge amount of respect for.
Doing invaluable research into mountain gorillas and the disastrous effects that the country's poaching and tourism industries have upon their natural habitats, she was a woman who stayed true to her beliefs until the very end, never wavering from her ideals and integrity, and is a person who everyone, not just Ripley, can aspire and look up to.
4 Wouldn't: The Warden Uses & Takes Advantage Of Children For Her Own Nefarious Gain
The villainous warden in Disney's 2003 adaptation of Louis Sachar's novel Holes has Weaver portray an exceptionally evil woman in charge of a camp of juvenile delinquents, forcing its inmates to dig holes endlessly in the surrounding, scorching desert all day long.
Using the kids to facilitate her hunt for buried treasure, this character would no doubt appall Ellen Ripley, with her strong hatred for abuse of power putting her at odds with every single characteristic of this horrific, but incredibly well-performed character.
3 Would: Ripley 8 Would Sicken Ripley At First, But Would Eventually Grow On Her
While the idea that, after her death, she would be cloned by Weyland-Yutani and the United Systems Military—and brought back to face the Xenomorphs once again in Alien Resurrection—would absolutely appall the original Ellen Ripley, she would no doubt eventually warm up to her successor.
It would be hard not to respect a super-powered version of yourself, especially when they never asked to be born in the first place. While, she may share DNA with the Xenomorphs, her will to survive and carry on the fights against her oppressors would definitely be cause for mutual respect and adoration.
2 Wouldn't: The Director Is Responsible For Subjecting People To Similar Horrors
The Director in 2011's Cabin in the Woods is about as ruthless and sinister as can be. In charge of setting loose countless, horror movie-inspired terrors into the world to wreak havoc upon groups of unsuspecting innocents, she has caused many to endure the same type of horrors that Ripley has become all too accustomed to over the years.
Putting a face to the person responsible for the kinds of events that happen in horror movies is one of the genius moves of this already-brilliant movie and is a perfect piece of casting, letting Weaver portray a character that is the polar opposite to her most beloved, iconic role.
1 Would: Gwen DeMarco Goes On A Journey From Jaded Actor To Real-Life Sci-Fi Hero
Going from portraying a space-faring heroine to becoming one, Gwen DeMarco's story in 1999's Galaxy Quest takes her from being a person who Ripley would definitely not respect, to somebody who can sit comfortably next to her in the pantheon of badass science fiction leading ladies.
Weaver's depiction of the actor-turned-hero is spectacular and is as hilarious as it is exciting. Riffing on her own experiences as both actor and action hero, there was nobody better suited to playing the role—and gives audiences a chance to see Sigourney pay tribute to a genre that she helped define.
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