Is Another AVP Movie on the Horizon with Alien and Predator's Rising Popularity?

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025, with exciting developments on the horizon. The Predator universe is expanding with two new films directed by Dan Trachtenberg: the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Meanwhile, the Alien saga continues with Alien: Earth, an FX show helmed by Noah Hawley, the acclaimed showrunner of Fargo and Legion. Although these projects are not officially connected, the shared universe of Alien and Predator is well-known, with the iconic creatures having crossed paths in numerous films, comics, and video games.

Recent promotional materials for Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth suggest that Disney might be setting the stage for a thrilling crossover. Let's delve deeper into these franchises and explore why a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) film could be on the horizon sooner than expected.

The initial teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation about a potential AVP revival. It features Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic linked to a new Predator named Dek, who is confirmed to be the protagonist. While this connection alone doesn't confirm an Alien crossover, it gains significance when paired with new promotional materials for Alien: Earth.

The Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth is packed with Easter eggs. It includes the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, leading to an egg sac reminiscent of those seen in Alien: Romulus. The creature that emerges resembles a mutated facehugger and is contained on a ship named the Maginot, similar to the Nostromo from the original Alien. Labeled as "Species 37" with unknown DNA by the ship's computer MU-TH-UR, this creature could be the key that initially led Weyland-Yutani to the Xenomorphs, predating the events of the first Alien film.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The Alien and Predator universes have been intertwined since 1989, when they first clashed in the Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator. This connection was further cemented in Predator 2 with the iconic Xenomorph skull on the Predator's trophy wall. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games reinforced the shared universe concept, well before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized such crossovers.

Despite two AVP films in the 2000s, the franchise struggled to gain traction due to poor critical and audience reception, despite box office success. The films lacked the depth and quality of standalone classics like Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator. The 2010s further challenged both franchises, with Ridley Scott's Prometheus series not receiving a third installment and Shane Black's The Predator failing to rejuvenate interest. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 has revitalized both series, making a new AVP film seem more feasible.

Adding to the excitement, a sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez returning and expressing interest in helming an AVP film. Romulus was a significant success for Disney, revitalizing the franchise while maintaining ties to the Prometheus series. With characters Rain Carradine and Andy heading to Yvaga III in stasis, the sequel could explore their journey further. Given that Predator: Badlands is also set in space, there's potential for cameos or Easter eggs hinting at a connection to Romulus.

Álvarez has suggested that the best approach to an AVP film would be to surprise audiences, blending elements of both franchises seamlessly. 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?’"

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

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Álvarez's enthusiasm for an AVP project offers hope for a successful revival. Previous AVP films, set on contemporary Earth, were limited in scope and failed to engage audiences with their characters. A new film could ignore these earlier efforts and start fresh. With Predator: Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, Dek could potentially become the hero of a new AVP film. Additionally, a crossover could explore the Predalien concept further, perhaps incorporating Engineer mutagen to create a hybrid creature that combines elements of Alien, Predator, and Engineer.

With both franchises currently thriving, the idea of a new AVP film is likely on Disney's agenda. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium storytelling, a new AVP feels inevitable. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, fans might finally witness the epic battle between these two iconic monsters that they've been longing for.