The long-awaited Aliens vs. Predator is likely to begin filming in Prague in October for 20th Century Fox with horror director Paul Anderson (Resident Evil) at the helm, although the project has yet to receive the final greenlight, according to sources.

Long subject to speculation by fans of the monster films, news of a combined sequel to the Aliens series, Predator (1987) and Predator 2 (1990) bubbled up throughout the 1990s, with studio executives' fear of diluting the brands allegedly dampening interest in the project.

However, spurred by success of the comic books and video game series, last year a group of producers of the two series (John Davis, David Giler, Lawrence Gordon, Walter Hill and Joel Silver) were said to have signed onto the project, bringing Anderson on board.

The arrival of Aliens vs. Predator in Prague would confirm the Czech capital's status as a mecca for large-scale comic book adaptations and monster films.

Earlier this year, the city saw Universal's Van Helsing, directed by The Mummy's Stephen Sommers, take over sections of the gothic and baroque city center. The shoot of Guillermo del Toro's Hellboy is ongoing while Terry Gilliam's Brothers Grimm, starring Matt Damon, kicks off later this month.

Meanwhile, Ridley Scott's production of Tristan And Isolde looks set to begin principal photography at the end of August.

Other films shooting in Prague include Dreamworks' untitled Ugly Americans project and Alcon Entertainment's untitled First Daughter project starring Mandy Moore.