EXCLUSIVE: Ridley Scott’s Alien: Covenant is in the process of rounding out it main cast ahead of production, which is now being eyed to start next month. Jussie Smollett, Amy Seimetz, Carmen Ejogo and Callie Hernandez have signed on to a cast that already features Micahel Fassbender, Katherine Waterston, Demian Bichir and Danny McBride.

Plot details are mostly under wraps for what is the second of the planned three pics at 20th Century Fox acting as a prequel trilogy to Scott’s Alien movies. Only Fassbender is confirmed to reprise his character from 2012’s Prometheus; it remains unclear whether Noomi Rapace will return we’re told.

Smollett plays Jamal Lyon on Fox’s hit primetime soap Empire which is in the middle of its second season. He’s repped by CAA and Vince Cirrincione and Associates.

Seimetz (Upstream Color) is co-creator of Starz’s upcoming The Girlfriend Experience and wrote and directed half of the episodes in Season 1 in addition to her supporting role. She’s repped by WME and One Entertainment.

Ejogo played Coretta Scott King in last year’s Oscar Best Picture nominated Selma and is up next in Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them. She’s repped by Management 360.