Ridley Scott Says A Little...But Nothing...About The ALIEN Prequel!!

Merrick here...
Ridley Scott spoke with Empire and revealed that Jon Spaihts is currently at work scripting the previously announced ALIEN prequel. Scott also discussed the film's setting in the broadest non-terms:

“It’s a brand new box of tricks,” said Sir Ridley. “We know what the road map is, and the screenplay is now being put on paper. The prequel will be a while ago. It’s very difficult to put a year on Alien, but [for example] if Alien was towards the end of this century, then the prequel story will take place thirty years prior.”

...reveals Scott in THIS discussion with Empire. Carl Rinsch, a director for the Scott Brothers, was initially announced as the helmer of the new ALIEN film. A few months later, reports circulated that Ridley would be directing the film instead (details in Variety).