After months of rumor and speculation, Variety confirms that 20th Century Fox plans to keep the “Alien” franchise alive with a prequel film that will be directed by original helmer Ridley Scott. (…) Screenwriter Jon Spaihts has been hired to write the prequel after the studio was impressed by his work on two space thrillers, both for Keanu Reeves, called Passengers and Shadow 19. (via comingsoon.net)