Sigourney Weaver blasts critics of sci-fi genre

Sigourney Weaver doesn’t think sci-fi films  »get enough respect ».

The 65-year-old actress – who is, perhaps, best known for playing Ellen Ripley in the ‘Alien’ franchise – has hit out at critics of the genre, but thinks attitude towards such films will change in the coming years.

Weaver, who stars in new movie ‘Chappie’, said:  »It is a genre that I think doesn’t get enough respect when you consider how many issues sci-fi brings up that we need to deal with. »

Asked why the genre is so often overlooked for Academy Awards, she told Digital Spy:  »I think part of it is the Academy is mostly people like me who are over a certain age and they’re still probably looking for the more conventional movie.

 »I think all that’s going to change because some of the work being done in sci-fi is some of the most interesting, provocative work out there. »

Meanwhile, Weaver and ‘Chappie’ director Neill Blomkamp are set to reunite for a new ‘Alien’ movie.

The director said the film will feel like the  »genetic sibling of Aliens », meaning it will disregard ‘Alien 3’ and ‘Alien: Resurrection’ and will instead carry on from the James Cameron-directed ‘Aliens’.

He explained:  »I want this film to feel like it’s literally the genetic sibling of Aliens. So it’s Alien, Aliens, and then this movie. »