Fede Alvarez's (Don't Breathe, Evil Dead) mysterious Alien movie has added a new cast member.
Deadline (via SFFGazette.com) reports that Isabela Merced has signed on to star alongside previously cast lead Cailee Spaeny. No details on either of their characters were included in the report.
There's been some speculation that Spaeny might be playing Ellen Ripley's daughter or even a younger version of the iconic sci-fi heroine herself, but we've been given no indication that there's any truth to those theories.
While there is always a chance this film will be connected to the previous instalments in the franchise, it is being described as a reboot. Either way, it's probably safe to assume that it won't continue the divisive plotlines that played out in Ridley Scott's Prometheus and Alien: Covenant.
Scott will produce under his Scott Free banner, however.
Apparently, the legendary filmmaker was intrigued by an idea Alvarez pitched him on a few years ago, and called him out of the blue last year to see if he had any interest in developing it.
Hulu is also working on an Alien TV series with Noah Hawley (Fargo; Legion) that's expected to premiere at some point over the next two years. Whether both projects will be linked in any way remains to be seen.
Merced recently starred as Juliet in 20th Century’s revisionist Romeo & Juliet tale, Rosaline, opposite Kaitlyn Dever. She has also appeared in the likes of Transformers: The Last Knight and the Dora the Explorer movie, and will play a key role in Sony Pictures' upcoming Spider-Man spin-off, Madame Web.
Alvarez will write and direct for 20th Century Studios and Hulu.