Movies News

James Franco Confirms 'Alien: Covenant' Role, Plus See New Pics

As we anxiously await the first trailer from Alien: Covenant — and the publication of our interview with actress Katherine Waterston, who takes on a lead role in Ridley Scott’s sci-fi thriller — new images from the movie have been released. We’ve also received confirmation of an additional member of the cast.

Katherine Waterston dishes on the #AlienCovenant director, Ridley Scott: https://t.co/Q2Si4rn46T ????

— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) December 21, 2016

First up, Katherine Waterston (Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them) is showcased in a new photo. She plays a new character, though with her weapon she’s reminiscent of Sigourney Weaver as Ripley in the original thriller.

Alien

More mysteriously, two new photos have also been officially released, each with numbers supplied in the captions.

220512052104 pic.twitter.com/HkweryZ3Mj

— Alien Anthology (@AlienAnthology) December 19, 2016

130112062104 pic.twitter.com/xEna3aTK6V

— Alien Anthology (@AlienAnthology) December 20, 2016

Perhaps we’ll learn more when the first trailer is released. For now, we know that Waterston will star alongside Michael Fassbender, Billy Crudup, Danny McBride, Demián Bichir, Jussie Smollett, Callie Hernandez and Amy Seimetz.

But that’s not all! Earlier this month, we heard a rumor that James Franco plays a supporting role in the movie. Reportedly, Franco will portray the captain of the spaceship Covenant, who is also the husband of the character played by Katherine Waterston.

Now Franco has apparently confirmed the report, responding to a reporter’s inquiry by asking: “The news is out, I guess?” Franco then talks about his reaction to watching Alien for the first time and again more recently. Watch the video below.

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We’ll have the first trailer as soon as it’s released this week, as well as an interview with Waterston. Alien: Covenant will open in theaters on May 19.