Sigourney Weaver made a stunning appearance at the Venice International Film Festival, accompanied by her child, Shar Simpson. The Alien actress, 74, walked the red carpet with Shar, 34, at the Beetlejuice, Beetlejuice premiere.
Weaver and Shar held hands as they posed for photos, dressed to impress from head to toe. The actress wore a sequined black top and flared skirt, while Shar opted for a chic single-shoulder black dress with beaded earrings and a bold red lip.
Sigourney Weaver turned the Venice International Film Festival into a family affair as she hit the red carpet with her child, Shar Simpson, on Wednesday
The duo posed alongside filmmaker Nemo Allen on the red carpet, with Shar holding hands with both their mother and Allen in the group shots. Weaver has been married to Shar’s father, Jim Simpson, since 1984, and they welcomed Shar in 1990.
Unlike her famous mother, Shar has pursued a career in education, working as an adjunct assistant professor at the Digital Storytelling Lab at Columbia University School of the Arts.
Earlier in the day, Weaver became emotional during a press conference, breaking down in tears when asked about the electoral prospects of Democratic Presidential candidate Kamala Harris. She said, “To think for one moment that my work would have anything to do with her rise makes me very happy.”
Weaver reflected on her good fortune in playing strong women, which started in 1979 with Ridley Scott’s Alien.
“Why do I play strong women? I just play women and women are strong – and do you know why because we don’t give up, because we don’t get to. We do it,” she said.
She added, “Women are on the front lines of climate change and crises. It’s the women who are taking care of their families, their children, often doing work they are on the front lines.”
Shar held hands with both their mother and Nemo on the red carpet
Weaver revealed that her original costume for the role was sky blue with pink piping, but director Ridley Scott had told her, “You look like f***ing Jackie O in space!” and insisted on an authentic space flight suit.
She also reflected on the legacy of the Alien franchise, saying that prospects for older women working in film and television have never been better. She is planning to work in further Avatar films, having already filmed her roles for the first three.
The actress has also not ruled out returning as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise, saying that she doesn’t often think about returning as the character, but would consider it if the script was right.
She admitted that she doesn’t sit around and think about it, but if it came up, she would consider it. “How much does the public really need or want another Ripley movie? I don’t really sit around and think about it, but if it came up, I would consider it.”