Neill Blomkamp to hatch ‘Alien’ movie; Sigourney Weaver teases return

Neill Blomkamp, the South African filmmaker behind “District 9” and “Elysium,” has signed on to develop and direct a new installment of 20th Century Fox’s “Alien” sci-fi franchise, the studio confirmed to The Times on Wednesday.

Blomkamp tipped the news on his Instagram account, posting an image of the series’ infamous xenomorph creature along with the caption, “Um… So I think it’s officially my next film. #alien.”

Instagram was a fitting venue for the announcement, as the project first came to light when Blomkamp posted concept art for the film on the photo-sharing service in early January. At the time, however, Blomkamp indicated that the film had been abandoned: “Was working on this. Don’t think I am anymore. Love it though,” he wrote in one of the posts. It’s unclear what brought him, and it, back to life.

Blomkamp’s artwork, which he told Uproxx last week was inspired by working with “Alien” star Sigourney Weaver on his upcoming movie “Chappie,” was enthusiastically received by sci-fi fans, and now the sequel is a go.

Blomkamp’s film is to take place after “Prometheus 2,” the spinoff sequel that “Alien” creator Ridley Scott is currently working on for a 2016 release. Scott and his company Scott Free are to produce the Blomkamp movie as well.

On Wednesday evening, Weaver appeared on “The Tonight Show” and was asked by host Jimmy Fallon about the possibility of returning to the “Alien” franchise.

“We’ve been talking about it,” Weaver said. “[Blomkamp] is so talented.”

She then recalled mentioning the project to Louis C.K. recently. The comedian told her, “I want to be in it, and I want to die in a terrible way.”

Weaver replied, “I’m sure something can be arranged.”

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