But how many years?
I think it's clear that this film is going to take place in the future. Just looking at Blompkamp's art, Hicks and Ripley are clearly older, I'd say near the age the actor's are currently. If they don't plan on doing anything silly like make the actors' faces younger like in Tron 2, or older like Prometheus/Back to the Future, then I'd say the film will take place about 20/30 years into the future.
Of course, this makes me wonder if they'll re-cast Carrie Henn, seeing as Newt doesn't kick the bucket at the end of Aliens, and Lance Henriksen, seeing as he doesn't technically die, either, and there is his maker, who I am assuming does age normally.
Aside from that, there's the picture with Ripley wearing a bomb vest, which makes me think suicide mission, or at the very least sabotage like Sarah Connor and co. going after Cyberdyne systems in T2. The aliens and queen seem to be in a company facility of sorts, so I'm guessing the company finally gets their hands on a couple and shit goes wrong. Predicting this, Ripley and Hicks go off to save the day.
I wonder if Blompkamp will design his own guns for the film, or use the pulse rifle and smartgun, and other marine weapons from Aliens. Though Alien: Isolation supposedly inspired him to change his designs a little. Perhaps the film will reflect more of an Alien vibe?
