Ridley Scott has revealed plot details on the prequel!
Here's what he had to say:
"As we speak, I've got a pile of pages next to me; it's like the fourth draft," he tells MTV. "It's a work in progress, but we're not dreaming it up anymore. We know what the story is. We're now actually trying to improve the three acts and make the characters better, build it up to something [we can shoot]. It's a work in progress, but we're actually making the film. There's no question about it, we're going to make the film."
Scott also reveals when the prequel will take place:
"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?"
MTV also asked if Sigourney Weaver will take part to which Scott replies,
"It will be before she was born."
He also revealed that the lead will once again be strong female character:
"The main character in the prequel will be a woman, yeah. We're thinking it could go down that route, yeah. When I started the original "Alien," Ripley wasn't a woman, it was a guy. During casting, we thought, "Why don't we make it a woman?"
Scott also, briefly, talked about the design of the aliens:
"Yeah, the thing about "Alien vs. Predator" is, I know it's commerce, but what a pity. I think, therefore, I have to design — or redesign — earlier versions of what these elements are that led to the thing you finally see in "Alien," which is the thing that catapults out of the egg, the face-hugger."
It slso seems Scott may reteam with original designer H.R. Giger:
"Yeah, he's (Giger) still around. Once I get more serious and get going, and the big wheels start turning, we'll certainly talk. And maybe we'll come up with something completely different."
Scott also gives us a hopeful release date!
"We're hoping to have it in theaters in late 2011, or maybe the best date in 2012."
Thanks to Bloodydisgusting and MTV for the info.