Ridley Scott, 81, will helm THIRD Alien prequel to mark franchise's 40th anniversary... rumoured to be called Alien: Awakening

By Andrew Bullock For Mailonline

Published: 05:31 EDT, 28 May 2019 | Updated: 06:05 EDT, 28 May 2019

Sir Ridley Scott will helm the third prequel in the Alien film franchise - 40 years on from his 1979 original.

The 81-year-old director's return to the franchise follows two former prequels, Prometheus [2012] and Alien: Covenant [2017], both of which he directed and produced.

The veteran filmmaker has said how he 'was in Hollywood within 32 hours' of receiving the script for the latest prequel, with is speculated to be titled Alien: Awakening, according to Screen Rant.

Back at the helm: Sir Ridley Scott will helm the third prequel in the Alien film franchise - 40 years on from his 1979 original

Back at the helm: Sir Ridley Scott will helm the third prequel in the Alien film franchise - 40 years on from his 1979 original

'They sent me a script and I read it. I loved it,' he said.

Rumblings of a continuation of the Alien franchise first began in the same year the most recent prequel was released.

In 2017, Scott said: 'We are [going to make another], we are.'

Talking to Entertainment Weekly, he went on: 'I think what we have to do is gradually drift away from the alien stuff… People say "you need more alien, you need more face pulling, need more chest bursting," so I put a lot of that in Covenant and it fitted nicely.

'But I think if you go again you need to start finding another solution that’s more interesting. I think AI is becoming much more dangerous and therefore more interesting.'

Ready for more: The 81-year-old director's return to the franchise follows two former prequels [the titular Alien is pictured]

Ready for more: The 81-year-old director's return to the franchise follows two former prequels [the titular Alien is pictured]

Steering the [space] ship: The first movie made $104 million at the box office worldwide and was the sixth highest-grossing movie of that year - but Scott left the franchise after this, not to return again until 2012 [pictured on set with star Sigourney Weaver]

Steering the [space] ship: The first movie made $104 million at the box office worldwide and was the sixth highest-grossing movie of that year - but Scott left the franchise after this, not to return again until 2012 [pictured on set with star Sigourney Weaver]

A year later, in December 2018, further reports matieralised ahead of 2019's 40th anniversary.

The official Alien social media teased that 'The Alien Universe Expands 2019'.

The first movie made $104 million at the box office worldwide and was the sixth highest-grossing movie of that year - but Scott left the franchise after this, not to return again until 2012.

The 1986 sequel, Aliens, was instead helmed by James Cameron, with the third, Aliens 3, released in 1992, directed by David Fincher.

Star, wars: Weaver played heroine Ellen Ripley in the original flick and its three subsequent sequels and was also co-producer for Alien 3

Star, wars: Weaver played heroine Ellen Ripley in the original flick and its three subsequent sequels and was also co-producer for Alien 3

Third prequel: Ridley Scott last directed Alien: Covenant in 2017

Third prequel: Ridley Scott last directed Alien: Covenant in 2017

Jean-Pierre Jeunet took over for 1997's Alien Resurrection, which is, to date, the most recent direct sequel to the original.

There were two spin-off crossover Alien films as well - Alien vs Predator [2004] and Alien vs Predator: Requiem [2007].

Sigourney Weaver played heroine Ellen Ripley in the original flick and its three subsequent sequels and was also co-producer for Alien 3. 

Any potential involvement that Weaver, 69, has with the latest instalment is not known at this stage - although fans have speculated that the new film will serve as a direct lead into Alien - in which her character was first introduced.

Alien chronology: Prometheus [2012] and Alien: Covenant [2017], were directed and produced by Scott
Alien chronology: Prometheus [2012] and Alien: Covenant [2017], were directed and produced by Scott

Alien chronology: Prometheus [2012] and Alien: Covenant [2017], were directed and produced by Scott

Quadrilogy: The first film was released in 1979 with the 1986 sequel, Aliens, helmed by James Cameron
Quadrilogy: The first film was released in 1979 with the 1986 sequel, Aliens, helmed by James Cameron

Quadrilogy: The first film was released in 1979 with the 1986 sequel, Aliens, helmed by James Cameron

Sequels: Aliens 3 was released in 1992, directed by David Fincher. Jean-Pierre Jeunet took over for 1997's Alien Resurrection, which is, to date, the most recent direct sequel to the original
Sequels: Aliens 3 was released in 1992, directed by David Fincher. Jean-Pierre Jeunet took over for 1997's Alien Resurrection, which is, to date, the most recent direct sequel to the original

Sequels: Aliens 3 was released in 1992, directed by David Fincher. Jean-Pierre Jeunet took over for 1997's Alien Resurrection, which is, to date, the most recent direct sequel to the original

Crossovers: There were two spin-off crossover Alien films as well - Alien vs Predator [2004] and Alien vs Predator: Requiem [2007]
Crossovers: There were two spin-off crossover Alien films as well - Alien vs Predator [2004] and Alien vs Predator: Requiem [2007]

Crossovers: There were two spin-off crossover Alien films as well - Alien vs Predator [2004] and Alien vs Predator: Requiem [2007]

This comes with its problems, however, as Weaver is now 40 years older than she was in Alien, and so an aged-Ripley wouldn't make sense.

Last November, Weaver hinted that she would be up for future involvement in the franchise, but seemed more keen to reprise her role in another sequel, rather than prequel.

Neill Blomkamp had planned an Alien 5, which was scrapped in favour of Scott's prequels.

Prequel number two: Scott is pictured directing Katherine Waterston in 2917's Covenant

Prequel number two: Scott is pictured directing Katherine Waterston in 2917's Covenant

Ripley return? Any potential involvement that Weaver, 69, has with the latest instalment is not known at this stage - although fans have speculated that the new film will serve as a direct lead into Alien - in which her character was first introduced

Ripley return? Any potential involvement that Weaver, 69, has with the latest instalment is not known at this stage - although fans have speculated that the new film will serve as a direct lead into Alien - in which her character was first introduced 

Then and now: Scott is pictured on the set of Alien, 40 years ago, and directing Prometheus in 2012
Then and now: Scott is pictured on the set of Alien, 40 years ago, and directing Prometheus in 2012

Then and now: Scott is pictured on the set of Alien, 40 years ago, and directing Prometheus in 2012

Alien 5? Last November, Weaver hinted that she would be up for future involvement in the franchise, but seemed more keen to reprise her role in another sequel, rather than prequel

Alien 5? Last November, Weaver hinted that she would be up for future involvement in the franchise, but seemed more keen to reprise her role in another sequel, rather than prequel

But in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Weaver said that both she and Aliens director Cameron were gunning for Blomkamp's pitch to come to fruition.

'We almost started to do it when I was working with James Cameron. But by the time we were put off by Fox, Neill had gotten so many jobs that we’d have to wait probably,' Weaver explained.

'I’m busy doing Avatar 4 and 5. I love working with Neill and I think he’d do a terrific job, and James Cameron really thinks it’s a great idea, so you never know.'

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Ridley Scott, 81, will helm THIRD Alien prequel to mark franchise's 40th anniversary

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