They could have just recast the role. But really, Alien 3 was doomed from the get-go. (I think the production problems would actually make an interesting book) And as it turns out, a large part of the blame belongs squarely on Sigourney Weaver's shoulders. I read a recent interview with James Cameron, and in it he describes the problems he had with her in preproduction and during the filming of Aliens. She had all kinds of demands for her character and the story, but she lacked the power to make Cameron back down. She didn't want to use any guns, she wanted Ripley to die, and on and on...
Cameron describes how appaled he was when he saw Alien 3. Not only did they kill off all of his surviving characters in the first 5 minutes, but there on the screen was all the things that Weaver had wanted from Aliens. I had initially blamed Fincher for Alien 3's suckitude, but since then he's made some really good films, and the true problems behind Alien 3 have come to light. That's largely why I'm interested in the A3 "workprint." It's still supposed to suck, but it is arguably a better film. And remember, kids....don't start filming your movies until you have a script.
Alien: Resurrection is beyond redemption.