Ridley Scott will take on 'The Forever War'

I am excited to announce that Ridley Scott is officially going back to his roots and directing a new Sci-Fi film! The movie is called 'The Forever War' and it is based on a 1974 novel written by Joe Haldelman. This will be the first Sci-Fi film Scott will direct since his back-to-back classics 'Blade Runner' and 'Alien'. Apparently back in the day he was supposed to make that movie after 'Blade Runner' and 'Alien', but it never happened due to rights complications. Well, Fox 2000 has acquired the rights to the novel and its going to move forward after two decades of waiting. Variety reports:

The film will be produced by Scott Free. Vince Gerardis and Ralph Vicinanza will exec produce. Their company, Created By, reps Haldeman and spent the last decade trying to get back the rights.

"I first pursued ‘Forever War' 25 years ago, and the book has only grown more timely and relevant since," Scott told Daily Variety. "It's a science-fiction epic, a bit of ‘The Odyssey' by way of ‘Blade Runner,' built upon a brilliant, disorienting premise."

Book revolves around a soldier who battles an enemy in deep space for only a few months, only to return home to a planet he doesn't recognize some 20 years later, Scott said.

"The Forever War" rights were acquired right after publication by f/x titan Richard Edlund, who spent $400,000 of his own money and intended to make the book his directorial debut. The book became an iconic sci-fi title but Edlund, who won two Oscars - including one for visual effects on "Raiders of the Lost Ark" - never got "The Forever War" off the ground. After a Sci Fi Channel miniseries stalled, Scott became interested again and Edlund was ready to make a deal. It took six months to secure all the rights.

Its going to be very cool and very interesting to see Ridley Scott work in the genre that launched his career. The guy is an incredibly talented director and this novel is in good hands. He will end up making another great sci-fi film.