Things seem to be gathering momentum for Ridley Scott’s Alien prequel, with a fresh script winning friends, and Natalie Portman edging closer to starring…
Last week, we reported the rumours that all was not well with Fox's upcoming prequel to Alien. The suggestion was that director Ridley Scott was looking towards an expensive, R-rated movie, and that the studio is looking more towards a PG-13 Alien movie, while not spending quite so much cash.
As it turns out, though, the new draft of the screenplay from Lost co-showrunner Damon Lindelof might have solved the problem. Vulture is reporting that he turned in the latest version of the script over the weekend, and that Fox is reportedly "very pleased with it indeed".
It goes on to report that "One reason Fox execs are so thrilled with Lindelof's Alien draft is that, not only is it creatively engaging, but it adds no expensive "set pieces" - production-speak for elaborate, effects-heavy action sequences that add millions to the cost of a film - to the movie."
The suggested budget for the film is now being put between $150 and $160m, and the content of the script is more heading towards the commercially more viable PG-13 rating. As Vulture points out, quoting an insider, "The thinking is that if the original Alien were released minus the F-bombs, you could still get a PG-13."
In casting news, it's also been revealed that Natalie Portman has met with Ridley Scott about starring in the film. Portman, currently riding high off the acclaim of her latest role in Black Swan, is one of two actresses that have reportedly impressed both Fox and Ridley Scott. And she's apparently the current top choice for the lead role of a Colonial Marine general. Noomi Rapace, star of The Girl With The Dragon Tattoo, is the other actress on the list.
Vulture has a lot more details about the current state of the film right here.