Ivan Reitman also directed both Ghostbusters films as well as Kindergarten Cop.

The sci-fi comedy, starring David Duchovny, is out in the UK today.

"Evolution ends up being quite an outlandish movie in terms of what we ask the audience to believe," he told Ananova.

"We still had to honour the science fiction side of the story quite a lot. I think what makes the movie work is that it's done in a realistic style. I think when the scary parts come they really are scary and people tend to jump out of their seats a number of times during the film.

"I like that combination when you're watching something funny and then it shocks you, and you jump up and you're kind of embarrassed so you laugh a little."