Prometheus 2 Confirmed by Director Ridley Scott

He might turn 78 in November, but Ridley Scott's work rate shows no sign of slowing. While it is often hard to keep track of the various projects that he is attached to, Scott has now confirmed that the next movie he directs will be Prometheus 2.

A sequel to his 2012 sci-fi horror film--a semi-prequel to his 1979 smash Alien--has been on the cards for some time, but until now it was very much an unconfirmed rumour. But in an interview with Empire to promote his latest film, The Martian, the director let slip that the project was well underway.

Replying to Martian star Matt Damon's joke that "Ridley was done with the movie about two weeks after we shot," Scott replies: "I was already on to my next movie! I was starting to look for locations for my next movie, which is Prometheus 2."

The film is yet to be officially announced by studio 20th Century Fox, but Slashfilm.com have previously suggested that it might start production in January, 2016. There have also been reports that the other upcoming movie in the Alien universe--Neill Blomkamp's direct sequel Alien 5--has now moved back in Fox's schedule to make way for Scott's Prometheus follow-up.

Prometheus was released in May 2012, and starred Noomi Rapace, Michael Fassbender, Charlize Theron, and Idris Elba. It went on to earn $403 million worldwide.