Jeff Nichols, the acclaimed director known for his poignant and atmospheric storytelling in films like Mud and Take Shelter, is stepping into the realm of science fiction once again. This time, he's teaming up with none other than Brad Pitt for a currently untitled sci-fi film. The project, backed by Paramount, is slated to start shooting in Arkansas in the summer of 2025.
The film has been a passion project for Nichols, who has been eager to bring this story to life for over a year. In a recent interview, Nichols described the film as a big-hearted sci-fi tale with a vast scope, exploring deep themes about humanity and the universe. Remarkably, the story features aliens but is rooted in a setting that fans of Nichols' previous works will find familiar.
There is speculation that Nichols' new film may be a loose remake of the 1988 film Alien Nation, a project he had been attached to before Disney's acquisition of Fox put it on hold. Nichols had initially envisioned Alien Nation as a $100 million studio film set in Arkansas, and even as a 10-episode Disney+ series. However, those plans fell through, leading him to develop an original script that is merely inspired by the earlier film, avoiding any rights issues.
Adding to the anticipation is the involvement of Brad Pitt, whose schedule opened up after Quentin Tarantino's The Movie Critic was canceled. Pitt is expected to complete his work on Joseph Kosinski's F1 before diving into Nichols' project. With Pitt's star power and Nichols' visionary direction, this sci-fi film is poised to be a must-watch.
As fans eagerly await more details, one thing is certain: Jeff Nichols' next venture into sci-fi promises a unique blend of heart and spectacle, making it a highlight of the 2025 summer movie season.
