Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have a lot to look forward to in 2025. Not only will we see two new Predator films directed by Prey's Dan Trachtenberg, including the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers, but we're also eagerly anticipating a major new entry in the Alien universe. This comes in the form of an FX show, Alien: Earth, from the creative mind behind Fargo and Legion, Noah Hawley. While these projects aren't officially connected yet, the intertwined history of Alien and Predator as part of a shared universe is well-known, with the iconic monsters having crossed paths in various films, comics, and video games.
Analyzing the latest promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth might reveal that Disney is subtly setting the stage for a new Alien vs. Predator crossover. Let's delve into the developments within these franchises and explore why we might see AVP return to the big screen sooner rather than later.
Evil Easter Eggs ----------------The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has already sparked speculation among fans about a potential new Alien vs. Predator film. It was revealed that Elle Fanning will portray a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with a connection to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed by Trachtenberg to be the film's protagonist. While the inclusion of a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film doesn't necessarily signal a major Alien crossover, it gains more significance when considered alongside new promotional videos for Alien: Earth.
In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, there are numerous Easter eggs linked to Alien lore. Viewers can spot the black liquid mutagen from the opening of Prometheus, used by the Engineers to seed life on Earth. This leads to an egg sac strikingly similar to one seen in Alien: Romulus. Although the creature emerging resembles a facehugger, it appears mutated. This specimen is housed on a ship reminiscent of the Nostromo from the original Alien film, though it's named the Maginot. The creature is labeled "Species 37" and noted for having unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR. Given that Alien: Earth is set two years before the events of the first Alien film, it suggests that Species 37 was what initially alerted Weyland-Yutani to the existence of Xenomorphs.
A related teaser called Crate features specimen containers, with a narrator noting that the ship collected five different life forms from the darkest corners of the universe, each a unique species. While a classic Xenomorph is seen, the introduction of five different species suggests an expansion of the alien roster in this universe. Could one of these be related to the Predators? This possibility aligns with Predator: Badlands being set on an alien world where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. Perhaps Elle Fanning's android was searching for these specimens, or maybe one of these monsters will mutate into something featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers. While we'll have to wait for the premiere to confirm, the inclusion of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth wouldn't be surprising.Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History
The Alien and Predator franchises have been part of the same universe for decades. Their first cinematic clash was in the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator, but their encounter dates back to the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator. The following year, Predator 2 included a Xenomorph skull as an Easter egg on the Predator's ship, further cementing their shared world. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games were released, establishing the concept of a shared universe long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized it.
Despite early efforts, the AVP films in the 2000s, including Paul W. S. Anderson’s Alien vs. Predator and The Brothers Strause’s Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, didn't resonate well with audiences and critics, despite their box office success. The trend of serialized superhero and sci-fi blockbusters was on the rise, but not all franchises received the necessary attention to thrive. AVP was considered a B-tier property by 20th Century Fox, despite the iconic status of films like Ridley Scott's original Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator. The 2010s saw further challenges with Ridley Scott's Prometheus series and Shane Black's The Predator underperforming. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 has revitalized both franchises, making the prospect of a new AVP film more feasible than ever.
AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------Adding to the excitement, a sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez returning and expressing interest in helming an Alien vs. Predator film. Alien: Romulus was a significant success both critically and commercially for Disney, rejuvenating the franchise post-Prometheus while maintaining elements from that storyline. The sequel will likely continue with characters Rain Carradine and Andy, who are in stasis heading to Yvaga III. With Predator: Badlands also set in space, there's potential for cameos or Easter eggs hinting at a connection to Alien: Romulus.
Álvarez has suggested that the best way to approach an Alien vs. Predator film would be to surprise audiences, as he mentioned in an interview with Collider. He proposed a scenario where viewers think they're watching a Predator movie, only to be shocked by the sudden appearance of a Xenomorph, or vice versa. This approach could rejuvenate interest in the crossover concept.
The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas
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Álvarez's enthusiasm for an AVP film is encouraging, suggesting that a fresh take on the crossover could succeed where previous attempts failed. The earlier AVP films, set on contemporary Earth, limited their scope and struggled with two-dimensional characters. A reboot could discard these films from continuity and start anew. With Predator: Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, Dek could potentially become the hero of a new AVP film, perhaps even exploring the Predalien concept or introducing a hybrid creature combining Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA.
With both Alien and Predator franchises now in a healthier state than they've been in years, the idea of a crossover film is likely on Disney's radar. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration, a new AVP film feels inevitable. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, these iconic monsters might finally get the epic showdown they deserve on the big screen.
