Sigourney Weaver’s Aliens Oscar Snub Hurts Even More 37 Years Later

Alien franchise star Sigourney Weaver’s Oscar nomination for Aliens was well-deserved but remains one of the genre’s biggest snubs. The actress made her mark in cinema history with the character of Ellen Ripley, considered to be one of the greatest final girls and action heroes, particularly in the sci-fi/horror world. Ridley Scott, along with writers Dan O’Bannon and Ronald Shusett, created Ripley and the Alien franchise with the first installment in 1979, which became a perfectly blended sci-fi/horror classic. Weaver was already a star, but the sequel Aliens took her, and Ripley, to the next level.

Aliens writer and director James Cameron built upon the first movie’s formula and altered the tone from a haunted house in space inhabiting chest-bursting aliens to a sci-fi/action classic. The sequel still contains horror elements, as Ripley and the crew face off with the Xenomorph Queen and her vicious offspring and the bodies pile up. However, as the eye-popping action became a large part of the films — beyond the terrifying Xenomorphs and Facehuggers — Weaver was able to prove her range. Her engaging transformation into a horror icon and action hero earned her a well-deserved Oscar nomination in 1987.

Sigourney Weaver Lost Her Oscar To Marlee Matlin

The Academy’s bias against genre films ruined her prospects of a win

When the 1987 Academy Award nominations for Best Actress in a Leading Role were announced, Weaver was nominated along with Kathleen Turner, Sissy Spacek, Jane Fonda, and Marlee Matlin. She was the only actress in the category who had starred in a sci-fi/horror action blockbuster sequel. Matlin ultimately won the award for her role in the romance drama Children of a Lesser God. Based on a play, Matlin’s performance in the adaptation was a strong contender, but Weaver’s role in her favorite Alien film in the franchise was never given a real chance to make history at the Oscars.

Weaver being snubbed by the Academy felt in tune with the organization’s bias towards genre films. Specifically, it’s rare to see nominations or wins in horror or science fiction categories. Despite the endless memorable performances and debates regarding performers not getting recognized due to an intolerance for these genres, little has changed besides only a handful of exceptions in Oscar history. In 2022, Weaver reflected on her Oscar nomination during an interview on Jake’s Takes, remarking in her comments below about the Academy’s “prejudices” towards science fiction:

It was a huge surprise to all of us because it was in that other world. I think that Jim Cameron created such an amazing structure for the character of Ripley, to start out with no one believing her and thinking she’s crazy and all these other things. He gave me so much to work with, and I really appreciate the Academy community getting over whatever prejudices they might have against this kind of sci-fi genre and nominating me for the actual work. Because I do think it’s an amazing role, and I was very very honored to be nominated for it.

History Proves That Weaver’s Aliens’ Role Was Much More Influential

Ripley is one of the original action heroines who continues to inspire

When considering the biggest heroines in movie history, Ripley always makes the list. She was introduced as a new kind of action star in Aliens, especially during a time when male-driven stories were the norm. Ripley never lost her humanity or vulnerability as she dropped the best Aliens quotes and entered Xenomorph nests alone with her pulse rifle. Ripley in Aliens proved that a female-centered hero, smartly written and expertly performed, would stand the test of time, inspiring audiences, game designers, and filmmakers. The same can’t be said of Matlin’s role in Children of a Lesser God.

Without Weaver playing Ripley, Scott’s original story would never have grown into a billion-dollar franchise that expanded into sequels, prequels, and crossovers like Alien vs. Predator. Additional Alien stories are on the way, including Fede Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus film and Noah Hawley’s prequel Alien series. As filmmakers experiment with the Alien sandbox, Weaver’s influence never fades. Ripley in Aliens is the epitome of what a central action heroine in the sci-fi/horror genre looks like. She is easy to connect with, to be frightened for, and to cheer on in impossible situations. Ellen Ripley is a survivor and warrior.

Weaver made the character of Ripley undeniably hers. While the masterful work by Scott, Cameron, and others helped shape the Alien franchise, Weaver was the foundational key to its survival. Namely, her performance in Aliens set the tone for what was possible. Weaver inserted a captivating rawness into a character who she depicts as terrified, determined, and powerful. Similar to previous titles, Álvarez’s Alien: Romulus appears to be following suit with Cailee Spaeny leading the charge as the next Ripley-inspired Alien heroine. Ripley’s endurance proves that an Oscar win for Weaver in 1987 would have been more than deserved.