'ALF' is returning on the big screen.

Song Pictures Animation have acquired the rights to the classic 1980s sitcom and plan to produce a hybrid CGI/live action movie, rather than using the puppet from the original show.

Puppeteer Paul Fusco, who voiced the titular character in the show - which ran for 102 episodes from 1986-1990 - is likely to reprise his role for the film and is also part of the production team.

The Smurfs' Jordan Kerner and 'ALF' creator Tom Patchett will also serve as producers.

'ALF' - which stood for Alien Life Form - followed a friendly furry alien who crash landed on Earth and moved in with a suburban family, the Tanners.

The creature - whose name was later revealed as Gordon Shumway - is sarcastic and courted trouble with government forces.

No writer or director is attached to the project yet.

Earlier this year, Paul expressed his hope for an 'ALF' movie.

He said: ''I think the timing is right. That's a big important thing, timing. There have been movies out there of characters that I didn't think were on the same parallel as ALF that got movies made, so I think it's time. I think it could be a home run on a lot of levels.

''ALF could be more outspoken now than ever, because the world is a whole different place than the 80s. And I think the character still stands up and certainly has more to say now than ever.

''I think we would approach it in a fresh way. I don't think we would duplicate the TV show, but I think we would maybe put it in a storyline where we would explain how ALF got here and put him with a new family and let the character speak for himself.''