Considering how much can go wrong in a filmmaker's career, it's always nice to hear a success story. Variety reports that Universal has hired Australian director Shane Abbess to helm the sci-fi thriller Source Code. Universal picked up the rights to the film back in 2007, but the project sat on the back-burner until now. Abbess is a relative newcomer who made his name directing commercials and his feature debut was the 2007 Gothic thriller, Gabriel. The film was financed, written, and directed by Abbess, and told the story of an angel in purgatory. Oh, and something about 'bringing the light' and saving souls.

Code will be a time-travel story, but so far Universal is keeping the details under wraps. Ben Ripley (the writer behind such classics as Species III) has already penned a spec script, but there is no word on whether Universal will be using his draft. Originally, Topher Grace had been attached to produce and star in Code, but there was no mention of Grace in the latest notice. Code is aiming for a 2009 release, but Universal might want to stay away from May, otherwise they're going to have some stiff 'time traveling competition' in the form of Terminator 4.

I bet that, until Scott's disturbing/enlightening sequel post a few weeks ago, you didn't even know there was a Species III -- shame on you! Sure, the thing went straight to DVD, but how do you think poor Brad Turner, who directed the thing, feels about your lack of respect? (Actually, since he directed basically every 24 episode this year -- not to mention a ton of Stargate stuff -- he's probably not too bothered. Never mind.)

Well, your (and my) ignorance of the project notwithstanding, the DVD made over $11 million in the US alone, so it's really no surprise that, yes, there's another one on the way. Written by Ben Ripley -- the brilliant mind behind installment three -- and directed by Nick Lyon, Species IV will start filming in October in Mexico City. You probably won't believe this, but the plot revolves around a hot woman who's part alien getting angry, and wreaking blood havoc on all the asses she can find. Sweet, right? Hey, at least you know what you're getting into with these -- there's no risk you'll see a Species movie with, like, lots of healthy puppies, and government agents who live to see old age.