We reported on the news a while ago that Robert Rodriguez is mounting up a new version of the 80′s sci-fi classic  Predator after two abysmal Alien vs. Predator films. He’s calling it Predators and yes, we just found out that he wants the Gov., Arnie, back for the film.  However, he was originally scheduled to direct, then it was thought to be Neil Marshall, but it ended up being Nimrod Antal to helm with RR as the producer on the project.  Now comes word that the man who helmed the 1979 sci-fi classic Alien, Ridley Scott, is gonna be back behind the directors chair for a prequel. Jon Spaihts (“Shadow 19″) is set to write the script. From Variety:

Twentieth Century Fox is resuscitating its “Alien” franchise. The studio has hired Jon Spaihts to write a prequel that has Ridley Scott attached to return as director.

Spaihts got the job after pitching the studio and Scott Free, which will produce the film.

The film is set up to be a prequel to the groundbreaking 1979 film that Scott directed. It will precede that film, in which the crew of a commercial towing ship returning to Earth is awakened and sent to respond to a distress signal from a nearby planetoid. The crew discovers too late that the signal generated by an empty ship was meant to warn them.

The deal gives Fox another chance to keep the “Alien” franchise alive. There were three sequels to Scott’s original, but it is the first time the director has set his mind on directing one.

Sounds like some very interesting news indeed. After the horrible AvP movies, this is what both franchises needed. I haven’t heard what the plot of the new Predators film will be, but an Alien prequel sounds like a pretty good time to me. If only because Ridley is back on board. The only other “Alien” film I enjoyed was James Cameron’s sequel Aliens. What do you guys think? Will you welcome Mr. Scott back to the franchise?