Fox has been developing a remake of the 80’s sci-fi buddy cop film Alien Nation, which spawned a TV series.
A few years from now, Earth will have the first contact with an alien civilization. These aliens, known as Newcomers, slowly begin to be integrated into human society after years of quarantine. After his human partner is killed trying to foil a robbery by Newcomers, Detective Sgt. Sykes is paired with Newcomer cop Detective Francisco and the two eventually discover a bigger scheme from a new crime syndicate.
Deadline reports that Mud and Midnight Special‘s Jeff Nichols (Loving, Take Shelter, Shotgun Stories) will write and direct the remake for the studio.
The original film was a science fiction take on general racism and integration of foreigners into American culture, while not being heavy-handed about the message. Jeff’s upcoming release Loving is about an interracial marriage in the Southern United States when it was still illegal, so I can see why he’d be a good fit for Alien Nation.
Considering Jeff’s consistent working relationship with actor Michael Shannon, I’d have to assume he might end-up with a role. I could totally see in him in the stuffy human cop role of Detective Sgt. Sykes originally played by James Caan.
SOURCE: DEADLINE