Sigourney Weaver’s portrayal of Ellen Ripley in Alien (1979) is iconic. She played a strong, resourceful, and determined character, which was groundbreaking for women in science fiction and horror films at the time. Dressed in a utilitarian jumpsuit with a no-nonsense attitude, Ripley became a symbol of resilience and empowerment.
Meryl Streep was considered for the role, but she was not contacted as her partner John Cazale had recently died. Helen Mirren also auditioned. Weaver, who had Broadway experience but was relatively unknown in film, impressed Scott, Giler, and Hill with her audition. She was the last actor to be cast for the film and performed most of her screen tests in-studio as the sets were being built.
The role of Ripley was Weaver’s first leading role in a motion picture and earned her nominations for a Saturn Award for Best Actress and a BAFTA award for Most Promising Newcomer to Leading Film Role.
Alien premiered on May 25, 1979, the opening night of the fourth Seattle International Film Festival. It received a wide release on June 22 and was released on September 6 in the United Kingdom. It initially received mixed reviews, but won the Academy Award for Best Visual Effects, three Saturn Awards (Best Science Fiction Film, Best Direction for Scott, and Best Supporting Actress for Cartwright), and a Hugo Award for Best Dramatic Presentation. Alien grossed $78.9 million in the US and £7.8 million in the UK during its first theatrical run. Its worldwide gross to date has been estimated at between $104 million and $203 million.
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