Alien prequel on the way

Ridley Scott (the director of the original Alien) has signed on to do a prequel to Alien. Should be interesting- it's something Scott has expressed interest in for some time (see the commentary tracks for the various Alien DVDs that have come out over the past 10+ years). We might finally learn about the Space Jockey species.

I'm a bit surprised he signed on to do it though- intial word was he would only produce but allow his protege to direct the film, an idea which Fox veto'd. Would have thought that might have soured him to the idea.