'Alien: Covenant', otherwise known as 'Prometheus 2', will feature the return of Fassbender in the series. Benjamin Rigby of 'Plague' fame is set to join Fassbender in Ridley Scott's upcoming film. Noomi Rapace will not be returning as Elizabeth Shaw in the sequel.
According to Variety, Rigby has officially signed on to Ridley Scott's upcoming sequel to 'Prometheus', released in 2012. He is set to join Michael Fassbender, Katherine Waterston and Danny McBride in a yet unnamed role. Rigby is known for his work on various films including 2012's 'Green Eyed' and 2015's 'Plague' and is set to appear on the Weinstein Co. production 'Lion' opposite Dev Patel and Nicole Kidman as well as in the upcoming independent film 'That's Not Me'.
It was also reported by The Sydney Morning Herald that Rigby admitted that he didn't expect to be cast in the potential blockbuster film when he got the news last January. He only received his script in March.
Rigby said that he submitted an audition tape he prepared in October 2015 and filmed two scenes that his American management sent over. He said, "We did two or three takes of each, I think, and we whacked them together and sent it... You don't think anything of it, because it's so big... I'm part of the story that exists for a reason, and that's really, really exciting... I'm not allowed to say anything, I signed a non-disclosure agreement."
Production for 'Alien: Covenant' is set to begin in April. Ridley Scott explained that his sequel will tackle the events following 'Prometheus' and will link directly to his 1979 science-fiction and horror film 'Alien' that starred Sigourney Weaver in the lead role.
'Prometheus' was originally intended as the fifth installment in the 'Alien' franchise when it first began development in the early 2000s. However, the project took a standstill during the development of 'Alien vs. Predator' in 2003. In 2009, Scott showed interest in the project once more and eventually opted to send the film's story to a different direction, making it one that preceded 'Alien' but took place in the same cinematic universe.
The 2012 film starred Fassbender and Noomi Rapace as David the android and archaeologist Elizabeth Shaw, respectively. Although Fassbender will be returning to reprise his role in 'Alien: Covenant', Rapace will not. According to Moviepilot, Scott admitted that he chose not to cast Rapace in his new film as its story will revolve around a group of new characters.
'Alien: Covenant', otherwise known as 'Prometheus 2', is an upcoming science-fiction and thriller film directed by Ridley Scott. It is scheduled to be released on August 4, 2017.
