Even die-hard fans of certain movies can stumble upon details that completely change how they see their favorites. Ridley Scott’s Alien (1979) is widely regarded as a masterpiece—a terrifying blend of sci-fi and horror that turned a haunted house concept into a space-bound nightmare. With its slimy, relentless Xenomorph and a legacy spanning decades (including an upcoming FX series in 2024), the original Alien set the bar high. But the iconic film we know almost had a much darker ending.
In both the theatrical and director’s cuts, Sigourney Weaver’s Ellen Ripley famously outsmarts the alien, ejects it into space, and goes into stasis, paving the way for the sequel, Aliens. However, in an interview with Entertainment Weekly, Ridley Scott revealed an alternate ending that almost derailed the franchise before it even began. His original plan? To kill Ripley in the final showdown.
Scott envisioned the alien attacking Ripley, breaking her space helmet, and brutally ripping off her head. The film would have ended with the Xenomorph mimicking her voice in a chilling transmission, luring future victims. Executives were horrified by the grim twist, threatening to fire Scott if he went through with it. Ultimately, the more hopeful ending won out, solidifying Ripley’s place as one of cinema’s greatest heroines—and ensuring the franchise’s survival.
Also, Read – Alien (1979) Ending Explained
The rejected ending of Alien (1979) is a fascinating glimpse into what could have been, showcasing Scott’s willingness to push boundaries. It also reminds us how close the franchise came to taking a shocking and irreversible turn. Thankfully, Ripley’s survival gave audiences a heroine to root for and launched one of the greatest sci-fi franchises of all time.
Source: Slash
