Blomkamp to direct new Alien film

The celebrated Alien franchise is getting a reboot, with South African science-fiction director Neil Blomkamp taking the reigns.

It will be a seperate project from Ridley Scott's Prometheus sequel, which draws on elements of the Alien universe.

Blomkamp is best known for District 9 (produced by Peter Jackson), Elysium, and the upcoming Chappie.

Various films in the Alien franchise have been directed by well-known names like James Cameron and David Fincher, featuring Sigourney Weaver in the lead role as Ripley.