Katherine Waterston lands lead in Alien prequel

Inherent Vice star Katherine Waterston has landed a lead role in the new Alien prequel.

The up-and-coming actress, daughter of former Law & Order regular Sam Waterston, will feature in Alien: Covenant in a yet-to-be revealed role.

The project reunites her with her Steve Jobs co-star Michael Fassbender, who also has a leading role, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

Ridley Scott is back to direct the film, which serves as both a prequel to his 1979 classic Alien, and as a sequel to 2012 movie Prometheus.

The casting comes after a successful year for Waterson, who had a breakout role in Paul Thomas Anderson's Inherent Vice, and stars opposite Eddie Redmayne in upcoming Harry Potter spin-off Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them.

Alien: Covenant is slated to hit cinemas in 2017.