Alien Prequel Morphs into Prometheus

Deadline is reporting that the planned Alien prequel from Ridley Scott has now turned into a non-Alien sci-fi film called Prometheus:

"First, it started out as an Alien Prequel. But then it morphed into something "more original", an insider tells us -- even though Hollywood kept referring to the project as "the Alien Prequel" right up until today when Twentieth Century Fox officially announced the new Ridley Scott production as Prometheus bound for worldwide release on March 9th, 2012...

...Scott explained the outlines of the film and its genesis as follows: “While Alien was indeed the jumping off point for this project, out of the creative process evolved a new, grand mythology and universe in which this original story takes place. The keen fan will recognize strands of Alien’s DNA, so to speak, but the ideas tackled in this film are unique, large and provocative. I couldn't be more pleased to have found the singular tale I'd been searching for, and finally return to this genre that's so close to my heart.” "

Previously rumored casting information has been confirmed as well. Noomi Rapace will be starring in the film, with Charlize Theron and Angelina Jolie listed as possible actresses for another lead female role.

While I am excited to see any new sci-fi film from Ridley Scott, I'm disappointed to learn that he will not be directing a new Alien film and that there is no word on the status of the franchise. The Alien franchise has plenty of potential and I don't know why a serious effort hasn't been made to create a quality Alien film in almost 20 years.

Regardless, the fact that a new sci-fi film from the director of Alien and Blade Runner has been greenlit is great news and I look forward to hearing more about Prometheus over the next 12+ months.