Variety's story is more concerned that the screenplay is being written by Jon Spaihts, but the headline and the one-line explanation are enough to make us run around the room with glee: Ridley Scott is now attached to Alien 5 as director. Commercials director Carl Erik Rinsch was originally reported to be the Scott Brothers' choice to helm, with their Scott Free Productions, well, producing. But there's no mention of Rinsch this morning. Were Fox unconvinced? Or did Ridley start getting more interested the more involved he became? Whatever the circumstances, what does seem to be officially confirmed now (rather than just rumoured and hoped for) is that the film is a prequel to the 1979 original, presumably dealing with the events that led the elephant-faced Space Jockey and his croissant-shaped ship to crash on Giger World.  Spaihts' pitch to Fox and Scott Free was apparently enthusiastically received. Well clearly, since he got the job.  We'd hope Fox and the Scotts reaction wasn't "meh, that'll do". Prolifically busy all of a sudden, Spaihts is also involved with Shadow 19, Passengers,The Darkest Hour, Children of Mars, and George and the Dragon. But the Alien prequel will be his highest profile gig yet. Hard to imagine a higher, really...

Owen Williams

Have Your Say...
We want to know what you think? To have your say on this, and all of Empire's news stories, register here or login now.

Previous Story Billy Crudup To Eat, Pray, Love Doc Manhattan comes down to Earth

Next Story Exclusive: New Avatar Shot Cameron + big gun = awesome

Advertisement

Your Comments

Nikki
Oh yea... And I forgot to say... It may seem that there are too many Alien movies. But I think that one movie to close the deal would be splendid. I think there are too many open questions about everything regarding the Aliens.. if they could just top some of it off, and give us the satisfaction of knowing things... This movie would be a great end to all the franchise. ... Read More silverishkitten About me
16:52, 10 September 2009 | Report This Post
Nikki
All of you who are like: 'We DON'T need another movie' Please effing go somewhere else to complain!! Why would you ruin other people's fun? Seriously... The Alien movies are some of the greatest masterpieces in the history of filmmaking imo. The movies are so brilliant... The designs of the aliens are just perfect and so unique... And most of all. I've always been one to ponder and ponder about the origins, and the spacecraft in the first movie. I go SO thrilled when I saw this. I always wanted ... Read More silverishkitten About me
16:50, 10 September 2009 | Report This Post
Please let it be good!
Okay I have to say - I am excited about this. I love Alien - it is my absolute favorite film. And massively underrrated - people do not take it seriously but it is brilliant. I love the way he uses silence - no music - to really build the atmosphere. I just hope this sequel is good. If it is it will be fantastic because I dont think any creature has ever quite lived up to the alien for me. I first saw it when I was about twelve and just crapped my pants and fell in love at the same tim... Read More princesschipchops About me
23:52, 29 August 2009 | Report This Post
RE:
I’m afraid I can’t get excited about an i] prequel. If it absolutely must be made (it mustn’t) then I suppose Scott’s the man to do it (or James Cameron), but I can’t see how it’ll work. i] and /i] succeed because we identify with the humans and share their trouser-browning terror at the prospect of an unsolicited trepanning at the hands of a vicious space beastie. But for a prequel to work it would have to show how the Aliens got involved with the ‘Space Jockey’, the fossilized, horribly viola... Read More David Somerset About me
12:41, 14 August 2009 | Report This Post
i got pretty excited when i heard they were doing this and even more so now ridley scott is confirmed! lets hope they dont mess it up! ... Read More dan_film_fanatic About me
15:48, 04 August 2009 | Report This Post
RE:
I am really excited about this. The only Alien movies I really enjoyed were 1 and 2 so, in my opinion this is pretty good news. ... Read More SoapyKC About me
23:57, 03 August 2009 | Report This Post
(Ridders + New Alien film) * 21st century SFX = oh god i just came in my pants ... Read More spamandham About me
19:20, 03 August 2009 | Report This Post
RE: do we really need another alien film?
What the hell... It has been previously assumed that the 'Space Jockey' had been there for a very long time, but what if the ecosystem of LV-426 is one that accelerates the ageing process of the ship and we are only talking a decade or so at most? What if The Company (to tie things in with established chronology so themes are both continuous from 4 and new ground) had been infiltrated by synthetics who wish to overthrow their human masters and sought to find and harvest the Alien C... Read More jobloffski About me
17:16, 03 August 2009 | Report This Post
do we really need another alien film?
answer: no we don't considering how poor the last films connected to that series were alien3 and ressurection were dire and the alien vs predator movies were even worse which is almost impressive in a twisted way ... Read More duncanainsworth About me
15:54, 02 August 2009 | Report This Post
RE: WHY WHY WHY
I am quite excited by this news, the prospect of Ridley Scott making another decent Alien film, but am also thinking it isn't a great idea at the same time. I think a lot is down to how commited Scott is to making a great film, and if the studio keep their grubby little fingers out. People talk of Alien 3 being shit, personally I think it was decent. What no one mentions is the studios involvement buggered the film up somewhat. The directors cut of Alien 3 was far better than the theatrical rel... Read More Tootled About me
13:50, 02 August 2009 | Report This Post
	Next Page