EXCLUSIVE: Fox has just landed The Gone World, the next sci-fi novel by Thomas Sweterlitsch, and the studio is in talks with District 9 helmer Neill Blomkamp to write the script and direct it. Chernin Entertainment is producing. The book isn’t yet published; the author’s previous novel, Tomorrow And Tomorrow, was acquired by TriStar. The new one is a sci-fi time travel procedural, and I hope to be able to tell you more shortly.

Blomkamp made a splashy debut with District 9, the sleeper hit that got four Oscar noms including Best Picture. He followed with Elysium and Chappie. This sounds right in his wheelhouse. He was announced to be directing a new take on Alien, but that has been postponed as Ridley Scott moves quickly to be in production early next year with a sequel to Prometheus at Fox.

Numerous studios chased this book, which was repped by Sylvie Rabineau of RWSG for lit agent David Gernert. Rabineau earlier today brokered a Fox deal for Kazu Kibuishi’s bestselling graphic novel series Amulet, and will develop it into a potential feature franchise.

Blomkamp is repped by WME.