A few weeks ago, it was reported that Ridley Scott stated that his new film “Prometheus” was no longer a prequel to “Alien” and will be an original story. However, Michael Fassbender (who will be seen in “X-Men: First Class” as Magneto) has stated to the MTV Movie Blog that in his estimation, the opposite is true.

“Oh, absolutely. There’s a definite connecting vein,” he said when MTV News asked him whether the two movies were part of the same universe. “When I read it, I was like, ‘Well, okay, another Alien. Where do you go with this idea?’ And then I sort of read the script, and it’s new, yet it’s in keeping with the old traditions as well. But there’s a whole new revelation within this film.”

According to Fassbender, the thriller aspect of the original “Alien” is in “Prometheus”, but the claustrophobia isn’t as intense. According to the actor, what struck him about the “Prometheus” script was the amount of intelligence and slow-burn style storytelling there was, preparing the audience for the action in the last third of the film.

Whether or not the film is like “Alien” can be left up to you to decide; “Prometheus” is expected to be released June 8, 2012.