Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The lineup includes two new Predator films from the director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg: the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Additionally, fans will see another significant addition to the Alien universe with the FX show Alien: Earth, helmed by Noah Hawley, the showrunner of Fargo and Legion. While these projects are not officially connected, the shared history between Alien and Predator, evident through their numerous crossovers in films, comics, and video games, is well-known to fans.
Analyzing the latest promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth might reveal Disney's intentions to set the stage for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) crossover. Let's delve into the recent developments in these franchises and explore why a new AVP might soon grace our screens.
Evil Easter Eggs ----------------The initial teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands sparked speculation among fans about a potential new Alien vs. Predator film. It introduced Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with a connection 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 imminent crossover, the context changes with the new promotional videos for Alien: Earth.
The Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth is packed with Easter eggs tied to Alien lore. It features the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, used by the Engineers to seed life on Earth, leading to an egg sac reminiscent of one seen in Alien: Romulus. A mutated creature resembling a facehugger emerges, contained on a ship similar to the Nostromo but named the Maginot. The creature, designated as "Species 37" and with unknown DNA, hints at Weyland-Yutani's initial encounter with the Xenomorphs, occurring two years before the events of the original Alien.
A related teaser called Crate showcases specimen containers, with a narrator mentioning the collection of "five different life forms from the darkest corners of the universe." While a classic Xenomorph appears, the introduction of five species suggests a significant expansion of alien creatures. Could one of these be linked to the Predators? This aligns with Predator: Badlands, where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monsters on an alien world. Perhaps Elle Fanning's android was searching for these specimens, or one of these monsters might evolve into something featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers. Although speculative, the presence of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth is a tantalizing possibility.Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History
The connection between Alien and Predator dates back further than many might realize. Their first clash occurred in the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator, followed by a subtle nod in Predator 2 with a Xenomorph skull on the Predator's trophy wall. The '90s saw numerous AVP comics and video games, solidifying their shared universe before the mainstream popularity of cinematic universes like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Despite the release of two AVP films in the 2000s, the series struggled due to poor critical and audience reception. While the films made money at the box office, they were overshadowed by the success of other genre franchises. Iconic entries in both series, such as Ridley Scott's original Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator, set a high bar that the AVP films did not meet. The 2010s brought further challenges with the Prometheus series and Shane Black's The Predator. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 has revitalized both franchises, making a new AVP seem more plausible.
AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------A sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez returning and expressing interest in directing an AVP film. Alien: Romulus was a critical and commercial success, rejuvenating the franchise. With characters Rain Carradine and Andy in stasis heading to Yvaga III, a sequel could explore their continued journey, possibly intersecting with Predator: Badlands through cameos or Easter eggs.
Álvarez envisions a surprise AVP where audiences think they're watching a Predator or Alien movie until the other creature appears. This approach could revitalize the crossover, especially since previous AVP films were limited by their Earth-bound settings and lacked compelling characters. A fresh start could feature Dek as the protagonist of a new AVP, exploring the Predalien concept further, or even introducing a hybrid creature combining Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA.
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With both Alien and Predator franchises enjoying a resurgence, the idea of a new AVP film feels increasingly imminent. Disney is likely considering a crossover, given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium storytelling. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, the iconic monsters might finally get the epic showdown fans have been craving.
