George Clooney is in talks to star in the alien drama 1952 for Walt Disney Pictures and director Brad Bird (Mission: Impossible Ghost Protocol).

We first reported on this project last June, when screenwriter Damon Lindelof signed a seven-figure deal to write the screenplay. Brad Bird signed on to direct back in May. The story will revolve around a man who makes first contact with aliens on Earth. The plot is reportedly in the same vein as the 1977 classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind.

Damon Lindelof is also producing, although it isn't known when production may begin. The project was originally slated to be Damon Lindelof's first solo writing project, although he is now co-writing with Jeff Jensen.

Disney would not comment on the casting news, although studio reps stressed that 1952 has not been officially given the green light yet. If George Clooney does in fact sign on, one would expect that green light to come sooner rather than later.