Ridley Scott announces a surprise sequel to the Alien franchise.

For those eagerly anticipating a resolution to the cliffhanger of *Alien: Covenant*, there’s exciting news on the horizon. Ridley Scott has confirmed that a third *Alien* prequel film is in development.

In a recent interview, Scott revealed that this new installment will center on Michael Fassbender’s character, the android David, as he embarks on a journey to create a “brave new world for himself.” Scott expressed his fascination with the character and the concept of a malfunctioning AI, stating, “AIs can go off. And if they do, it’s like a bomb.” He prefers to explore AI themes in his films rather than utilize the technology himself, noting that while he can currently compete with AI, he worries about a future where it surpasses human intelligence.

The upcoming Gamescom lineup features *Fable* and *Alien Isolation 2*, with the latter set to be playable.

Scott, who launched the franchise with his iconic 1979 film *Alien*, also directed the prequels *Prometheus* and *Alien: Covenant*. *Prometheus*, released in 2012, follows a Weyland Corporation research team on a quest to uncover the origins of human life, only to stumble upon dangerous bioweapons resembling Xenomorphs. David plays a pivotal role in this expedition, becoming increasingly captivated by the alien life forms while distancing himself from humanity.

In 2017’s *Alien: Covenant*, a group of space colonists responds to a distress signal on an uncharted planet, where they encounter David, who has been conducting unsettling experiments. The film concludes with a shocking twist that hints at a sequel. However, the next film in the series, *Alien: Romulus*, diverges significantly from its predecessors, featuring only a few connections. Set between the first two *Alien* films, this Fede Álvarez-directed entry was a box-office hit, earning over $100 million more than *Covenant* despite a smaller budget. A sequel to *Romulus* is currently in pre-production, with filming slated to begin later this year.

Adding to the complexity, there’s also *Alien: Earth*, an FX prequel TV series that takes place after Scott’s films but before the original movie. It’s set to return for a second season, with filming expected to start later this year or early 2027. Given this packed timeline, it’s intriguing to see Scott still moving forward with plans for a *Covenant* sequel.

Could *Alien: Earth* be the *Star Wars: Andor* of the *Alien* universe?