20th Century Fox hired screenwriter John Spaihts (Shadow 19, Passengers) to write the prequel to the Alien franchise. In addition, Variety confirmed that director Ridley Scott will be returning behind the camera. Scott directed the first film in 1979, but not the following three.
The new story will precede the 1979 film, where the crew of a commercial towing spaceship is returning to Earth. The members are then sent to respond to a distress signal from a planetoid. They realize too late that the signal generated was a warning sent from an empty ship.
It is still unknown whether Sigourney Weaver, the star of the Alien films, will be returning in the prequel.
The first Alien film in 1979 was followed by Aliens in 1986, Alien 3 in 1992 and Alien: Resurrection in 1997.
Ridley Scott is currently wrapping up the shoot of Robin Hood in England with Russell Crowe. The film hits theatres on May 14, 2010.