By Justin Kroll
LOS ANGELES (Variety.com) – 20th Century Fox has closed a deal with director Neill Blomkamp to develop a new “Alien” movie.
Sources say the untitled sci-fi project is a separate from the “Prometheus” sequel, which Fox is still making with Ridley Scott.
Blomkamp, who directed “District 9″ and the upcoming Sony feature “Chappie,” had been teasing the project in recent months but said the movie had been scrapped. It was supposed to star “Alien” veteran Sigourney Weaver.
But on Wednesday Blomkamp confirmed the new Alien movie was “officially” back on at Fox.
“So I think this is officially my next film,” he confirmed on Instagram.

Um… So I think it’s officially my next film. #alien

A photo posted by Brownsnout (@neillblomkamp) on Feb 18, 2015 at 3:55pm PST

Was working on this. Don’t think I am anymore. Love it though. #alien #xenomorph

A photo posted by Brownsnout (@neillblomkamp) on Jan 1, 2015 at 5:30pm PST

It’s unclear whether Scott or Weaver are attached to the tentpole.
Scott will, however, produce the film through his Scott Free banner.
“Prometheus,” also distributed by Fox, was “loosely based” on the Alien franchise and earned over $400 million worldwide. But the 3D movie opened to mixed reviews and Fox thinks Blomkamp, who last directed “Elysium,” can take the franchise to the next level.
The South African-born filmmaker is repped by WME.