Confirmed: Neill Blomkamp to direct an Alien sequel & Prometheus 2 update!

UPDATE: According to Deadline, "Ridley Scott’s Scott Free will produce [the ALIEN sequel], which Blomkamp will direct. He will develop a script that is set after the Prometheus 2 story. Scott is set to direct and produce the Prometheus sequel. Sources add that there is no script for Prometheus 2 or the new Aliens film."

So, there ya go. Looks like Ridley IS in fact helming the PROMETHEUS sequel and that Blomkamp's ALIEN film will take place AFTER that film's storyline. How that plays out is anyone's guess right now. More to follow as this develops.

Original Story:

While some people are busy posting their morning Starbucks order, fluffy clouds, and goofy selfies, some folks are announcing their next big-budget feature film. CHAPPIE and DISTRICT 9 director Neill Blomkamp has been teasing us with kick-ass concept art for a proposed ALIEN film that will follow on the heel's of James Cameron's ALIENS, featuring the traditional Xenomorph and both Sigourney Weaver's Ripley and Michael Biehn's Corporal Hicks. Now, the director has confirmed that this ALIENS sequel will be his next project, as announced on his Instagram account (which is also where he debuted the concept art that first tantalized us with the idea) and which we have confirmed through Fox. Yes, folks, this IS happening.

Check it out:

This is pretty damn awesome. I have long hoped for an ALIEN film that would pick up where ALIENS left off, continuing with the characters of Ripley, Hicks, and (possibly) Newt, rather than the nightmare that ALIEN 3 and ALIEN: RESURRECTION were (even if mildly entertaining). Blomkamp has said in the past that he wasn't interested in established franchises, but I'm happy he's had a change of heart and with the ALIEN franchise to boot. He was coming dangerously close to remaking the same film over and over again and now we get a chance to see him stretch his wings and dip his creativity into a world that deserves to be explored further. To note, this will be separate from the PROMETHEUS franchise (i.e. it WILL be an ALIEN film), which is still progressing at its own pace. Hey, there's plenty of room for Engineers and Xenomorphs, am I right?

We'll update as more information becomes available. Until that time, feel free to geek out below.

Blomkamp's next, CHAPPIE, hits theaters on March 6, 2015.