Ridley Scott is reportedly looking at Danny McBride to join the cast of his Alien: Covenant

A surprising new potential addition to the Alien: Covenant cast has emerged today as TheWrap brings word that Eastbound and Down star Danny McBride has entered early talks for a role. Should he sign on, Danny McBride will join the returning Michael Fassbender alongside franchise newcomer Katherine Waterston. Fassbender reprises his role as Prometheus‘ android, David, while Waterston is set to play a woman named Daniels.

Set as the second chapter in a prequel trilogy that began with Prometheus, Alien: Covenant connects directly to Scott’s 1979 seminal work of science fiction. It begins with the colony ship Covenant, bound for a remote planet on the far side of the galaxy. There, the crew discovers what they think is an uncharted paradise, but is actually a dark, dangerous world — whose sole inhabitant is the “synthetic” David, survivor of the doomed Prometheus expedition.

Primarily known for comedy roles, Danny McBride starred last year in Barry Levinson’s Rock the Kasbah and in Cameron Crowe’s Aloha. Coming up, McBride is set to headline the HBO series Vice Principals opposite Walton Goggins and is also serving as the series’ writer and executive producer alongside frequent collaborator Jody Hill. On the big screen, Danny McBride will soon be lending his voice to the animated feature films The Angry Birds Movie and the R-rated Sausage Party.

Jack Paglen (Transcendence) and Michael Green (Green Lantern) are providing the Alien: Covenant screenplay. The project is entering production in Australia with 20th Century Fox set to distribute the film in theaters on October 6, 2017.

What do you think of Danny McBride joining the Alien franchise? Who do you think he might play? Share your thoughts in the comments below!

(Photo credit: Judy Eddy / WENN.com)

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