An Alien prequel starring Danny McBride? This could seriously be the movie we never knew we always wanted. In a bit of news that is equal parts surprising and kind of awesome, the former Eastbound and Down star and master of obnoxious humor is in talks to join Alien: Covenant, which seems to indicate that Ridley Scott may very well indeed be a genius. An evil genius, but a genius.

The Wrap reports that McBride is in talks to join Michael Fassbender and Katherine Waterston in Alien: Covenant, the first in Scott’s alleged new trilogy of Alien prequels. Details on McBride’s potential role remain unknown, but it’s safe to assume that he’ll play the guy who makes us laugh to break the tension.

Fassbender is reprising his role as the mischievous synthetic David, with his Steve Jobs co-star Waterston as the leader of a new derelict crew. Alien: Covenant centers on that crew as they come across what appears to be a previously uncharted paradise planet, only to unnervingly discover that David is the planet’s only inhabitant.

It was recently revealed that Noomi Rapace will not be reprising her role as Dr. Elizabeth Shaw, last seen absconding with David on an Engineer’s ship. Scott is preparing to head into production on the prequel, which is set to hit theaters in 2017.

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