Rumor: ‘Whalefall’ Filmmaker Writing a New ‘Alien’ Film for 20th Century?

I’m not typically one for rumors. But, when they’re as interesting as this, I tend to listen. According to a report from writer Daniel Richtman, it sounds as if Brian Duffield (No One Will Save You, The Babysitter, Spontaneous), is writing a new Alien film for 20th Century Studios!

Richtman notes that at this time, it’s unclear if Duffield will direct the film, as well.

The news come on the heels of Duffield’s adaptation of Daniel Kraus’ novel, Whalfefall, set to hit theaters this October.

If true, Duffield is someone who may not have been the first to come to mind for a new Alien franchise film, but he’s an incredibly intriguing (and talented) pick. After all, Duffield has had a hand in scripts for various cult films over the years, having penned the Samara Weaving vehicle The Babysitter, aquatic horror flick, Underwater, and heartwarming creature feature, Love and Monsters. He also directed the tragic Spontaenous and one of the more unique sci-fi films of the last few years, No One Will Save You.

Duffield has all the potential in the world to deliver a quality entry in the Alien franchise. Based on his work, he’s someone who can bring a great depth of heart alongside the terror. He gets you in the shoes of characters and lets you feel every hope, every desire, every ache and pain and moment of outright horror. If he is in fact writing the next Alien film (and it’s still a big “if”), and can bring those qualities, we could have a great sequel on our hands.

For now, all we can say for sure is that the franchise first begun by director Ridley Scott continues to be a hot commodity. We have a sequel to Alien: Romulus on the way, season 2 of Alien: Earth, and the next Alien: Isolation game arriving soon-ish.