This summer brought the exciting news that Brad Bird would be following up Mission: Impossible – Ghost Protocol with a highly veiled sci-fi project over at Disney, one that LOST and Prometheus writer Damon Lindelof had been working on for a year. We only knew that the project would be an original property, featuring a large-scale and all-audience appeal with the secretive title of 1952.

Now more info has finally been revealed on the project, thanks to Vulture. The site reports that the duo want to “recapture the spirit” of the Steven Spielberg classic Close Encounters of the Third Kind and the project will feature a lead male in his late 40s. Unlike J.J. Abrams‘ Spielberg homage Super 8, this one will take place in the present day, but will indeed be a straight-up sci-fi story, about “ aliens making contact here on Earth.”

Update: The last claim is in fact incorrect, as Vulture chimes in again saying they were misunderstood and that the film is not about an alien encounter, but it is in the spirit of Close Encounters. Carry on.

The site has more intriguing details on how exactly the 1952 title came to be, but it will not involve that year in history where seven UFOs supposedly appeared on US radar. However, like many projects from these creators, an extensive viral campaign will begin before production kicks off. Some rumored ideas include a treasure hunt that will unlock clues about the story all the way up until the (likely) summer release date.

Unfortunately we don’t know when the exact year of release will be just yet, but we shouldn’t expect this one until 2014 at the earliest. While many were disappointed by Prometheus this summer and another sci-fi homage with Super 8 the previous year, I have strong faith in Bird to deliver the goods, after he proved he can handle a massive action tentpole last year.

What do you think about the new details? Are you looking forward to this one?