New ‘Alien’ Movie Taps ‘Prisoners’ Writer Aaron Guzikowski

A new Alien movie is taking shape at 20th Century Studios, with Prisoners screenwriter Aaron Guzikowski hired to develop the script. The project is still at an early stage, so no release date or director has been announced.

A familiar creative partnership returns

Guzikowski previously created the science-fiction series Raised by Wolves, which Ridley Scott executive produced. Scott also directed its first two episodes. Their reunion gives the new film a creative link to one of Guzikowski’s most ambitious television projects, while bringing Scott back as a producer through his Scott Free banner.

Michael Pruss is also producing for Scott Free, and J.R. Young is overseeing the project for 20th Century. Scott is not currently attached to direct. Guzikowski’s credits include Denis Villeneuve’s 2013 thriller Prisoners, a film known for its tense mystery and morally difficult choices.

Key story details remain unsettled

The first reports agree that the movie is in development, but they differ on how clearly its place in the franchise has been defined. Deadline reported that it is not yet known whether the project will follow 2024’s Alien: Romulus. The Hollywood Reporter, citing sources, described it as separate from that film and connected instead to Scott’s Prometheus and Alien: Covenant era.

That report also identified the android David, played in those films by Michael Fassbender, as possible connective tissue. Fassbender is not attached at this point, making any character return speculative rather than confirmed. No cast has been announced.

The distinction matters because Romulus revived the theatrical series with more than $350 million at the worldwide box office, according to Deadline. A direct continuation has remained uncertain, while this new project appears to offer the studio another route into the franchise’s universe.

For now, the firm development is Guzikowski’s arrival as writer and Scott’s role as producer. With the screenplay still being developed and no director in place, the next meaningful update will be whether 20th Century sets the story, creative team and cast.