Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The excitement begins with two new Predator films directed by Dan Trachtenberg, known for his work on Prey. The first, Predator: Badlands, is a live-action adventure, while the second, Predator: Killer of Killers, is an animated series set to stream on Hulu. Additionally, the Alien universe expands with Alien: Earth, a new FX series crafted by Noah Hawley, the acclaimed showrunner behind Fargo and Legion. Although these projects are not officially linked, the shared history of Alien and Predator in a common universe, evident through their encounters in films, comics, and video games, keeps fans hopeful for a crossover.
Analyzing the promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth suggests that Disney might be setting the stage for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) crossover. Let's delve into the developments within these franchises and explore why an AVP revival could be imminent.
Evil Easter Eggs ----------------The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation among fans about a potential new AVP film. It introduces Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with ties to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed by Trachtenberg as the film's protagonist. While the inclusion of a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film isn't definitive proof of an Alien crossover, it gains significance when paired with the promotional videos for Alien: Earth.
The Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth is packed with Easter eggs tied to Alien lore. It showcases the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, leading to an egg sac reminiscent of one seen in Alien: Romulus. The creature emerging from it, while resembling a facehugger, appears mutated. This specimen, labeled "Species 37" and housed on a ship called the Maginot, which echoes the Nostromo from the original Alien film, hints at the origins of the Xenomorphs. The teaser suggests that Species 37 might have been the initial clue that led Weyland-Yutani to the Xenomorphs, setting the stage for the events of the original Alien.
A related teaser called Crate features specimen containers, with a narrator mentioning the collection of five different life forms from the universe's darkest corners. While a classic Xenomorph is visible, the mention of five species suggests an expansion of the alien roster. This could potentially include creatures related to the Predators, aligning with the setting of Predator: Badlands, where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. It's possible that Elle Fanning's android was searching for these specimens, or that one of these monsters might evolve into a creature featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers. While we await the premiere for confirmation, the presence of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth wouldn't be surprising.Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History
The Alien and Predator franchises have been intertwined since the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator, predating their cinematic clash in the 2004 film. Predator 2 further hinted at this connection with a Xenomorph skull on the Predator's trophy wall. Despite the release of two AVP films in the 2000s, the series struggled to gain traction due to lukewarm reception, despite box office success. The era saw the rise of serialized superhero and sci-fi blockbusters, yet AVP was treated as a secondary property by 20th Century Fox, despite the iconic status of films like Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator.
The 2010s brought further challenges with the commercial disappointment of Alien: Covenant and the underwhelming reception of The Predator. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 has revitalized both franchises. With teases of upcoming projects, the prospect of a new AVP film feels closer than ever.
AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------A sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez set to return and expressing interest in directing an AVP film. Alien: Romulus was a critical and commercial success, revitalizing the franchise while maintaining connections to the Prometheus series. With characters like Rain Carradine and Andy in stasis heading to Yvaga III, a sequel could explore their journey further. Meanwhile, Predator: Badlands is set in space, raising the possibility of Easter eggs or cameos hinting at a connection to Romulus.
Álvarez has suggested that the best approach to an AVP film would be to surprise audiences, starting as a Predator or Alien movie before introducing the other creature unexpectedly. This approach could reinvigorate the crossover concept, distancing it from the less successful previous AVP films, which were limited by their Earth-bound settings and lack of character depth.
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Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP offers hope for a fresh take on the crossover. With Predator: Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, Dek could potentially become the hero of a new AVP film. Additionally, a new entry could explore the Predalien concept further, perhaps even introducing a hybrid creature combining Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA.
With both Alien and Predator franchises in a robust state, the idea of a crossover film is likely on Disney's radar. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium storytelling, a new AVP film feels inevitable. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, these iconic monsters may finally get the epic showdown they deserve on the big screen.
