We first heard about the Alien prequel back in June 2009. At that time, it was to be produced by Ridley and Tony Scott, with commercial director Carl Rinsch helming. However, Fox encouraged Ridley (director of the original 1977 Alien) to return to the director's chair. His usurping of the role was announced in August.
Scott has finally announced - eight months later - what the film will be about. He told MTV last week:
Ridley Scott wrote:"It's set in 2085, about 30 years before Sigourney [Weaver's character Ellen Ripley]...It's fundamentally about going out to find out 'Who the hell was that Space Jockey?' The guy who was sitting in the chair in the alien vehicle — there was a giant fellow sitting in a seat on what looked to be either a piece of technology or an astronomer's chair. Remember that?"
Scott continued:
Ridley Scott wrote:"[The film] is about the discussion of terraforming -- taking planets and planetoids and balls of earth and trying to terraform, seed them with the possibilities of future life...Weyland hasn't joined Yutani yet, so they go and see Weyland."
Weyland-Yutani Corp are, of course, the corporation who caused such a ruckus throughout the Alien saga.
Scott also told MTV that the main character in the prequel will be a woman, and that he is also considering redesigning the legendary aliens themselves.
The legendary British director also dropped a couple more bombs at a junket that Matt Goldberg published on Collider.
Scott revealed that the script is already on its fourth draft and the film will definitely be in 3D. He also stated that is his intention to make two prequels (both taking place before Alien). Scott confirmed that the prequel would maintain the patience of the first film, although the action would definitely move faster (a result of the advancements in technology).
To read about Scott's reservations about 3D (including a rejected offer to convert Robin Hood at the last minute) head on over to Collider. You can also read MTV's full interview with Scott here (in which he shares his thoughts on Alien vs. Predator).
http://www.collider.com/2010/04/23/ridl ... hot-in-3d/