First part of 'Alien' prequel expected in late 2011

There's definitely life out there as far as the two-part "Alien" prequel is concerned. Though the release dates were said to be delayed until 2013 and 2014, New York magazine's Vulture reports that production is set to begin in March, with the first of the films hitting theaters in late 2011.

According to Vulture, filmmaker Ridley Scott had planned to hold off on filming "Paradise" – the official title of the two-part prequel – because he wanted to accommodate the schedule of Leonardo DiCaprio, who is set to shoot Clint Eastwood's J. Edgar Hoover biopic. But now Scott is moving forward without the 36-year-old "Titanic" star on board.

While no other cast members have officially been announced, 30-year-old Noomi Rapace, who stars as Lisbeth Salander in the Swedish "Girl With the Dragon Tattoo" films, is said to be the favorite to play "Paradise's" heroine Elizabeth Shaw.

German actor Michael Fassbender ("Inglourious Basterds"), 33, was in talks to play android David, but Vulture reports that he may be out of the running for demanding a steep salary.

"Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon" star Michelle Yeoh, 48, is also being considered for the role of tough-but-sexy Vickers.

Vulture reports that the film – which follows a group of space travelers being hunted down by a monstrous alien – also includes characters like an older businessman and the 6-foot-5 Engineer 1, who will be created by CGI.