At New York Comic Con 2025, Hollywood icon Sigourney Weaver surprised fans with a revelation that Benedict Cumberbatch was once in talks to play a version of Alan Rickman’s beloved character in a planned sequel to Galaxy Quest. The original 1999 sci-fi comedy has long held cult-classic status, but Weaver admitted that the absence of Rickman — who died in 2016 after a battle with cancer — made it difficult for the cast and creators to move forward.
Sigourney Weaver Says Galaxy Quest 2 Almost Happened
During a lively Q&A moderated by Josh Horowitz at the New York Comic Con panel on October 10, 2025, Weaver confirmed that a Galaxy Quest sequel had been seriously discussed — with an intriguing plan to bring in Benedict Cumberbatch to play a version of Rickman’s character, Dr. Lazarus.
“They were absolutely going to do it, and they had a very funny story,” Weaver said. “At a certain point, they talked about Benedict Cumberbatch playing a version of Alan’s part. It’s very hard to come back to it without Alan there.”
The 76-year-old actress, who played Gwen DeMarco — the glamorous yet underappreciated star of the fictional show within the film — expressed her deep admiration for Rickman and his irreplaceable presence on set. “Alan brought so much heart and subtlety to that character. You just can’t replicate that,” she reflected.
Remembering Alan Rickman’s Legacy
Alan Rickman, who portrayed the Shakespearean-trained actor Alexander Dane (known for his on-screen role as Dr. Lazarus), was one of the emotional anchors of the 1999 film. His dry wit, dignity, and chemistry with the ensemble cast turned his performance into one of Galaxy Quest’s most enduring highlights.
Rickman passed away in 2016 at age 69 after a private battle with cancer, leaving behind a remarkable legacy that includes Die Hard, Harry Potter, and Sense and Sensibility. Weaver emphasized that continuing the Galaxy Quest franchise without him proved emotionally challenging for everyone involved.
Why Galaxy Quest Still Resonates
Directed by Dean Parisot, Galaxy Quest follows a group of washed-up actors from a defunct science-fiction TV show who are mistaken for real heroes by an alien race seeking their help. The film — starring Tim Allen, Sigourney Weaver, Alan Rickman, Tony Shalhoub, and Sam Rockwell — cleverly parodied fandom culture while celebrating the enduring spirit of classic sci-fi storytelling.
Weaver said she related deeply to her character, Gwen DeMarco, even more than her iconic Alien heroine Ellen Ripley.
“I’m much closer to Tawny and Gwen than I am to Ripley,” she admitted. “Gwen was a woman constantly judged by how she looked — that’s very real in Hollywood. I loved playing her because she represented so many women in entertainment.”
How Sigourney Weaver Almost Didn’t Get the Role
Weaver also revealed she initially faced resistance when auditioning for Galaxy Quest: “When I first wanted to be in it, I was told, ‘No, they don’t want anyone who’s ever done science fiction.’ And I thought, ‘If anyone can make fun of sci-fi, it’s those of us who’ve lived it!’ Luckily, they changed directors — and I got the role.”
Her performance as Gwen DeMarco remains one of her most beloved comedic turns, balancing humor and intelligence while playfully poking fun at genre stereotypes.
Attempts to Revive Galaxy Quest Continue
Since its release, Galaxy Quest has achieved cult status, inspiring conventions, documentaries, and countless fan tributes. Multiple revival attempts have been made — including a 2015 sequel concept and a 2023 Paramount+ TV adaptation — but none have made it to production.
Actor Sam Rockwell, who played Guy Fleegman, told GQ in 2024, “If there was a sequel to Galaxy Quest, we would be on it. Maybe like a limited series. Simon Pegg even talked about helping out with it.”
Weaver echoed the same hope: “We all loved that movie. It’s one of those lightning-in-a-bottle experiences. But without Alan, it’s never quite the same.”
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