Sir Ridley Scott set to be honoured with this year’s BAFTA fellowship

Sir Ridley Scott is set to be honoured with this year’s prestigious BAFTA fellowship.

The Alien director will be awarded the Academy’s highest accolade in celebration of his prolific contribution to film.

The BAFTA fellowship is handed to an individual or organisation each year for their involvement in film, games or television at the ceremony in London.

Scott, 80, joins the likes of film legends Alfred Hitchcock, Steven Spielberg and Sean Connery.

A BAFTA: A Life in Pictures event will be held following the collection of the award where Scott will discuss his cinematic work.

His portfolio includes 2012 release Prometheus, 1982 Blade Runner and a 2010 reprisal of Robin Hood.

Speaking about the award Scott said: “It is a privilege to have been able to make a career for myself in this industry.

“To be honoured for my body of work is indeed very gratifying.”

Amanda Berry, Chief Executive of BAFTA, said: “Ridley Scott is a visionary director, one of the great British filmmakers whose work has made an indelible mark on the history of cinema.

“His passion and unrelenting pursuit of excellence have provided cinema goers with a tantalising range of films, including Alien, Gladiator, Thelma and Louise and Blade Runner. 40 years since his directorial debut, his films continue to cross the boundaries of style and genre, engaging audiences and inspiring the next generation of film talent.”

The news comes after the director’s latest film All the Money in the World, which has been nominated for a BAFTA, faced controversy.

The movie initially starred Kevin Spacey as Paul Getty, however, in the wake of the sexual assault allegations, the House of Cards actor was replaced by The Sound of Music actor Christopher Plummer.