Things aren't looking good for sci-fi horror fans who've waited more than thirty years for Ridley Scott to return to his Alien franchise. The director's upcoming Untitled Alien Prequel has been put on indefinite hold due to disagreements over both the proposed budget and the rating.

Sky Movies reports that Ridley Scott is looking for upwards of $250 million to make this highly anticipated prequel. He is also pushing quite heavily for an R rated film full of horror and violence. 20th Century Fox, on the other hand, would rather continue the path they've carved out with the Alien vs. Predator spin-offs, and keep their Untitled Alien Prequel aimed at teens with a PG-13 rating. They've made it quite clear that they will not finance a film that restricts younger audience members from paying to see it.

1978's Alien and its subsequent stand-alone sequels were all rated R in the states, though Alien 3 and Alien Resurrection both received a 15 rating overseas. About the PG-13 rated Alien vs. Predator, Ridley Scott has stated, "I actually have a very good relationship with 20th Century Fox. But they know how I feel (about the spin-offs)."

Though Scott has made his intentions clear in regards to what he wants out of his Untitled Alien Prequel for a while, saying "The film will be really tough, really nasty. It's the dark side of the moon. We are talking about gods and engineers. Engineers of space. And were the aliens designed as a form of biological warfare? Or biology that would go in and clean up a planet?" It is only now that he is being told "No!" By the studio.

It is unclear when and if this matter will find a resolution. 20th Century Fox may seek out another director if Ridley Scott does not agree to their stipulations.