BetweenAlien,Ghostbusters andAvatar, Weaver has left an indelible mark on some of cinemas most iconic sci-fi franchises.
As Ellen Ripley, she represented a heroine unprecedented in the action and sci-fi genre up to that point.
Her teachers at Yale described her as talentless and advised that she stick to comedy.
Sigourney Weaver in 1979’s ‘Alien’Everett Collection
DEADLINE:Congratulations on this accolade, Sigourney.
What does theVenice Film Festivalmean to you?
SIGOURNEY WEAVER: Thank you very much.
From the first time I went to Venice, it has been a very meaningful festival to me.
It is my favorite festival.
That was my first real introduction to the international film world.
We were all laughing.
It made me feel like Gina Lollobrigida!
The recognition of what actors can bring to the table has changed over the years.
DEADLINE: Alienswasnt in Competition, was it?
WEAVER: No, maybe thats why we had so much fun!
DEADLINE:There are so many films we could talk about today.
WEAVER: I had come from off of Broadway.
So to me, this was an off of Broadway project.
It was dark, unique, very original, very physically arresting.
Its true that Ripley kept living, which Im happy about.
Its been a great ride all those different directors and different stories and different evolutions of Ripley.
That freed me up from ever having to act like a girl, or dress like a girl.
That was very astute of the writers.
At a certain point you even forget that its a woman.
You just know its Ripley and youre hoping she survives.
Did you feel a weight or burden on you around that time?
WEAVER: I didnt.
I suppose I dont think ofAlienas an action film.
I always saw it as a film about survival.
Ive always thought about characters, rather than a specific genre.
I dont really recognize genres.
Perhaps thats why Ive skipped between them so readily during my career.
OnAlien, I felt that Ripley was improvising her way through this situation.
And he said, Oh, I do absolutely.
I said, I dont.
I dont think she knows.
So the whole time, Im hoping Im doing the right thing.
DEADLINE:Its amazing how careers begin and mould and the role that chance can play in determining careers.
Im sorry for whatever might have happened that gave Veronica that idea.
I think Ridley and Veronica changed it.
But for me, the process was very direct and immediate.
The run included working with Ridley Scott and James Cameron (for the first time).
How were their approaches different as filmmakers?
WEAVER: I recall that I was filming in France when I received the script forAliens.
It was this almost operatic role for Ridley.
Its so claustrophobic, frightening, and unsettling.
AndAliensis this big kick-ass movie of scale, which actually has a more conventional story.
But its hard to compare them as filmmakers.
They are very different.
WEAVER: On the contrary, I was so relieved!
Ripley was so serious, you may even say humorless in her circumstances.
I had come from comedic theater and thats where I felt most comfortable.
When I readGhostbusters, it knocked my socks off.
Its one of the best scripts Ive ever read and so delightful.
It was a joyous love letter to New York and Ivan and the boys were so good in it.
Id really love to, Id say to him, but you keep putting it in my face!
So I loved zooming into a different genre afterAlien.
DEADLINE:You soon zoomed to another genre withGorillas in the Mist.
What did you learn from that experience?
I felt her presence the whole time.
Dian found her family in the forest in Rwanda and for a time I did too.
Im still working with those conservation organizations.
That really impressed me.
I loved working with Mike, we had a lot of fun.
He knew so much about the human condition, but also just how to tell a story.
I still absolutely adore that film, for the hairstyles alone, and the clothes, and everything else.
It was really a movie of its moment.
Personally, I really like the film.
Its my third favorite in the franchise.
But Im probably in the minority in that regard.
You were now a co-producer on the franchise.
To what extent could you feel those challenges during filming?
And Im sorry that he didnt get a chance to make the script his own before we started.
That makes filmmaking very difficult.
So, I keenly felt the lack of studio support.
It helped shooting in England so we could get on with things to an extent.
Im glad he got a chance to do his version.
It was a great ensemble.
DEADLINE:Can I take you toThe Ice Stormby Ang Lee.
Despite not being a big commercial hit, the film is highly thought of by many critics.
It was an impressive collection of actors and an ambitious and smart film.
What was that set like?
WEAVER: It was all New York actors.
We all knew each other, and it was a lot of fun.
It was one of Ang Lees early films in English and I dont think he was fully comfortable.
Despite that, he was able to communicate effectively with all of us in very few words.
We did have a lot of rehearsal.
I have a lot of affection for the character of Janey.
She was a lost soul kind of hanging on.
DEADLINE:A decade after that you returned to work with Jim Cameron onAvatar.
I couldnt imagine any of it being shot.
I honestly couldnt imagine how he would ever make a film that looked like this and had these elements.
DEADLINE:So you havent started working on four and five yet?
WEAVER: Theyre written.
We know what they are.
But Jim is still finishing three.
Its nice to look forward to them.
DEADLINE:And youll be present inAvatarfour and five, we assume?
WEAVER: Yes, I think Im allowed to say that.
DEADLINE:Cameron said recently no one ever dies in science fiction.
Is there a future for Ellen Ripley on screen?
So for me, she is in this other dimension, safe from the Alien for the time being.
How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie?
It has come up a bunch of times, but Im also busy doing other things.
Ripley has earned her rest.
DEADLINE:What do you make ofAlien: Romulus?
WEAVER: There wasnt a discussion about Ripley being in it.
I havent seen the new film.
I might end up seeing it …
I wish them all the best for it…
DEADLINE:Whats next for you?
You have moviesDust BunnyandThe Gorgein post-production…
WEAVER: Yes, Im very excited aboutDust Bunny.
Bryan Fuller is very talented and working with Mads Mikkelsen was wonderful.
Im also coming to London to play Prospero inThe Tempestnext year.
Its such a great play.
John gave me my first job in theater.
So for all those reasons I felt a strong connection and urge to be involved.
DEADLINE:We dont know the rest of the cast yet, do we?
WEAVER: Selina Cadell is also in it.
Thats the only other name Im aware of.
DEADLINE: And the next movie youre going to film?
WEAVER: Im playing a role inThe Mandalorian & Grogu[which will be directed by Jon Favreau].
I got to meet Grogu for the first time the other day.
Im filming that before I go to London forThe Tempestat the end of the year.
DEADLINE:And then your work conquering all the major sci-fi franchises will be complete!
Is it a fun part?
Im looking forward to it.
I cant say much about it right now but its fun to bounce between all these different universes.
DEADLINE:Is there aGhostbustersreturn on the horizon?
WEAVER:Not that Im aware of.
