Momentum is revving up on 20th Century Studios’ new Alien movie as sources tell Deadline that Mare of Easttown actress Cailee Spaeny is in talks to star. Fede Alvarez is directing with Ridley Scott’s Scott Free producing.

20th Century had no comment.

Not much is known about the pic other than the iconic ferocious race of alien beings called Xenomorphs will be front and center, again terrorizing the humans that cross their paths. 20th Century and Scott Free made this a top priority after hearing Alvarez’s pitch, and after a recent script was delivered, things only gained speed in getting this film in front of cameras by early this year.

While execs are going through their process on other cast members, Spaeny has been the top choice for the lead role for some time, after several meetings with producers and Alvarez.Spaeny is set to play Priscilla Presley in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla opposite Jacob Elordi as Elvis. She also has the Alex Garland pic Civil War and was recently seen as Eleanor Roosevelt in The First Lady and in Mare of Easttown and the feature How It Ends. She is repped by WME and Sugar23.

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