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 Prey. These include the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Adding to the thrill, Noah Hawley, the acclaimed showrunner behind Fargo and Legion, is bringing us Alien: Earth on FX. Although these projects are not officially linked, the long-standing shared universe of Alien and Predator, seen in films, comics, and video games, keeps fans hopeful for a crossover.
Delving into the latest promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth might reveal Disney's intentions for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) project. Let’s explore the developments in these franchises and consider why an AVP return to the big screen could be imminent.
Evil Easter Eggs ----------------The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation about a new Alien vs. Predator film. It introduces Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic linked to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed as the film's protagonist. While this connection might not directly signal a major Alien crossover, it gains significance with new promotional content for Alien: Earth.
In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, several Easter eggs hint at deeper Alien lore. Viewers see the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, leading to an egg sac reminiscent of one from Alien: Romulus. A mutated facehugger-like creature emerges on a ship named the Maginot, similar to the Nostromo from the original film. Labeled "Species 37" with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR, this creature sets the stage for Weyland-Yutani's Xenomorph discovery, occurring two years before the events of Alien.
A related teaser called Crate features specimen containers, with a narrator explaining the collection of five unique life forms from across the universe. While a classic Xenomorph appears, the inclusion of multiple species suggests an expansion of the alien roster. This raises questions about potential connections to the Predators, especially with Predator: Badlands set on an alien world where Dek hunts extraterrestrial creatures. Could Elle Fanning's android be linked to these specimens, or might one of these creatures evolve into something seen in Badlands or Killer of Killers? While we await the premiere for confirmation, the possibility of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth is intriguing.Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History
The Alien and Predator franchises have been part of a shared universe since the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator. The following year, Predator 2 included a Xenomorph skull on the Predator's trophy wall, cementing their connection. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games reinforced this shared world, well before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized such crossovers.
Despite the early introduction of AVP films in the 2000s, including Alien vs. Predator in 2004 and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem in 2007, the series struggled due to poor reception. While they were financially successful, they lacked the depth and care needed to sustain long-term interest. Iconic films like Ridley Scott’s original Alien, James Cameron’s Aliens, and John McTiernan’s Predator set high standards, which the AVP films failed to meet. The 2010s saw 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.
With new teasers hinting at future projects, the prospect of a new AVP seems closer than ever.
AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------A sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez expressing interest in helming an AVP film. Romulus's success has reinvigorated the franchise, maintaining the Prometheus storyline with the Engineer-like monster. As characters Rain Carradine and Andy head to Yvaga III in stasis, a sequel could explore their journey further. With Predator: Badlands also set in space, potential cameos or Easter eggs might hint at a connection to Romulus.
Álvarez suggests that the best AVP film would surprise audiences by introducing the other creature unexpectedly. He told Collider, "The best AVP will be the one that you don’t know is AVP until the other guy shows up. You think you’re watching a Predator movie, and then they land in some place and there are creatures, and fucking hell, it’s a Xenomorph. That would get me. ... Or vice versa, you’re in an Alien movie, and then suddenly a mysterious creature is there, and you can hear that sound, and you see the cloak, and you go, ‘Is that a fucking Predator?’”
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Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP hints at a promising new direction for the crossover. The previous films, set on contemporary Earth, were limited in scope and struggled with character development. A fresh start could disregard those films and introduce new elements, like making Dek the protagonist of a new AVP or expanding on the Predalien concept. An intriguing possibility is a creature combining Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA, created through Engineer mutagen.
With both Alien and Predator in a healthier state, the idea of a crossover film is likely on Disney's agenda. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration, a new AVP feels inevitable. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, fans can hope for the epic showdown between these iconic monsters that they've long awaited.
