Charlize Theron has signed aboard Ridley Scott's next film "Prometheus," which actor Michael Fassbender recently confirmed is linked to "Alien."

Damon Lindelof ("Lost") penned the sci-fi script based on an idea from Scott and an initial draft by Jon Spaihts. With the latest draft, Lindelof has morphed the scope of the project into an ambitious direction.

"There's a definite connecting vein [to 'Alien']," Fassbender said in an interview with MTV News. "You realize you're part of something else, but it's definitely in keeping with the old ones. When I read it, I was like, 'Well, okay, another Alien. Where do you go with this idea?' And then I sort of read the script, and it's new, yet it's in keeping with the old traditions as well.

"But there's a whole new revelation within this film. The first Alien [movies], they were thrillers. Something's going on. It's creeping, it's sinister. Things are happening, it's building, [and there are] different sorts of intrigues and politics going on between the different relationships on board.

"There's action in it, but the intelligence is what struck me when I read it. It's more sort of like the original ones. There are things happening and building, and the intelligence of the first two-thirds of the film gets you ready for the action."

Also starring Noomi Rapace ("The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo"), "Prometheus" is set for a June 8, 2012 release from Fox. In addition to directing the film, Scott will produce it along with Walter Hill, Tony Scott and David Giler.

Scott had been molding an "Alien" prequel for the last two years and had begun looking at actors for the project last summer. Other stars who may land a role in the prequel include Michelle Yeoh, Gemma Arteron and James Franco.