New ‘Alien’ Movie Hires ‘Prisoners’ Writer, Tied to Ridley Scott’s ‘Prometheus’ and ‘Covenant’ — ‘Romulus 2’ in “Limbo”

According to THR, Aaron Guzikowski, who wrote Denis Villeneuve’s “Prisoners,” has been hired to write a new “Alien” movie for 20th Century Studios.

What could it be? While much of it remains “shrouded in secrecy,” THR confirms it’s not a sequel to “Alien: Romulus,” which, according to the trade, is “in limbo.” Told ya. After Fede Álvarez was fired from the ‘Romulus’ sequel, it’s been well known that 20th Century was looking to greenlight a totally separate ‘Alien’ movie unrelated to ‘Romulus.’

Rather, and most intriguingly, Guzikowski is writing a film “related” to the two ‘Alien’ movies Ridley Scott directed in the 2010s (“Prometheus” and “Alien: Covenant”). The “connective tissue,” according to sources, is David, the android played by Michael Fassbender.

Scott has long expressed interest in continuing the ‘Covenant’ storyline, particularly Fassbender’s character, and reportedly rejected Álvarez’s desire to include David in ‘Romulus 2’ because he wanted to retain the option of bringing David back himself. Scott’s creative interference was a key factor in Álvarez’s exit.

Scott is not directing (for now) this Guzikowski-penned ‘Alien’ project, but is producing it alongside his Scott Free production banner. No director is attached. That said, Scott recently mentioned his desire to complete the trilogy, and it wouldn’t surprise me if he ends up helming the third and final chapter.

It should also be mentioned that Guzikowski and Scott previously collaborated on “Raised by Wolves,” their sci-fi drama that streamed on HBO Max. Guzikowski created the series, while Scott produced it and directed the first two episodes.

Back in August, Scott revealed to French outlet AlloCiné that he has “gone back into” the Alien franchise. He seemed to be positioning himself as someone who needs to help course-correct the franchise. And his plans appeared to involve returning directly to the storyline he left unfinished with “Alien: Covenant.”

Scott also offered a blunt assessment of ‘Romulus,’ which he described as “OK” before adding that the franchise “needs some help.”