I don’t think this should be seen as a rumor anymore. A week ago, The Hot Mic’s Jeff Sneider heard that Brian Duffield (“Whalefall”) was working on a new Alien movie for 20th Century Studios. He had yet to report on it publicly, but this week Daniel RPK also mentioned Duffield’s involvement in a new Alien (via Dread Central).
Based on what’s been reported, so far, Duffield is currently serving as the writer of this mystery ‘Alien’ movie. It’s unclear whether he’ll ultimately direct it as well, but that certainly seems like a possibility.
Duffield wrote and directed “Whalefall” for 20th Century Studios, a film hitting theaters this October that has generated major buzz ever since footage was screened at CinemaCon in April. The recent release of the trailer online only boosted momentum.
20th Century Studios president, Steve Asbell, who clearly knows Duffield, commented on the rumor on X with a simple: “who?”
The remark was clearly sarcastic. Asbell knows Duffield very well, having previously worked with him on “Whalefall,” and “No One Will Save You,” which Duffield also wrote and directed. Duffield also co-wrote the screenplay for the 20th Century Studios sci-fi film “Underwater” and received a credit on “Predator: Badlands.”
With the “Alien: Romulus” sequel currently in limbo and Fede Alvarez no longer attached as writer-director, the big question is whether Duffield has taken over that project or if he’s developing an entirely separate ‘Alien’ movie.
Last year, Álvarez, who helmed “Alien: Romulus,” was in pre-production on the sequel when he suddenly exited the project. Did Álvarez step aside voluntarily, or was there friction behind the scenes with 20th Century—or even Ridley Scott? Some are pointing to the latter. 20th Century then approached Álvarez’s fellow ‘Evil Dead’ alum, Sebastien Vanicek, the director of the upcoming “Evil Dead Burn,” but talks eventually fell apart. Maybe Duffield took over.