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

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The excitement includes not just one, but two new Predator films directed by the acclaimed Dan Trachtenberg: the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Additionally, fans can look forward to a significant addition to the Alien universe with the FX show Alien: Earth, helmed by Noah Hawley, the creative force behind Fargo and Legion. While these projects are not officially connected, the shared universe of Alien and Predator, established through numerous films, comic books, and video games, continues to captivate fans.

A closer examination of the promotional materials for both Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth suggests that Disney might be laying the groundwork for a new crossover between these iconic franchises. Let's delve into the developments in these series and explore why we could see Alien vs. Predator (AVP) return to the big screen sooner rather than later.

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The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands sparked curiosity among fans about the potential for a new AVP film. It introduced Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic character connected to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed by Trachtenberg as the film's protagonist. While a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film is not a direct hint at an Alien crossover, it gains significance when paired with the promotional content for Alien: Earth.

The Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth is packed with Easter eggs that resonate with Alien lore. It features the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, leading to an egg sac similar to that in Alien: Romulus. The creature emerging from the sac, while resembling a facehugger, appears mutated and is housed on a ship called the Maginot, reminiscent of the Nostromo from the original Alien. Designated as "Species 37" and marked with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR, this creature hints at the origins of the Xenomorphs, setting the scene two years before the events of the first Alien film.

A related teaser called Crate showcases specimen containers, with a narrator explaining the collection of five distinct life forms from the universe's darkest corners. While a classic Xenomorph is featured, the inclusion of five different species suggests a significant expansion of the alien roster. Could one of these species be linked to the Predators? This possibility aligns with the setting of Predator: Badlands, where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. Perhaps Elle Fanning's android is searching for these specimens, or one of these creatures might evolve into something we see 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 shared universe of Alien and Predator has a rich history, beginning with their first clash in the 1989 Dark Horse comic series, Aliens vs. Predator. This connection was further teased in Predator 2 (1990) with a Xenomorph skull on the Predator's trophy wall. Throughout the 90s, numerous AVP comics and video games solidified this shared world, long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized such crossovers.

Despite early AVP films in the 2000s, the concept struggled to gain traction due to mixed critical and audience reception, despite financial success at the box office. The Alien and Predator franchises, known for classics like Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator, were not treated with the same care in the AVP films. The 2010s further complicated matters with the commercial disappointment of Alien: Covenant and The Predator. However, the recent successes of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 have revitalized both franchises, making the prospect of a new AVP more enticing.

Is it time for a new Alien vs. Predator movie? ----------------------------------------------

Yes.No.Let's discuss in the comments.Uh, whoever wins... we lose?

AnswerSee ResultsConverging for Carnage ----------------------

Adding to the excitement, a sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez expressing interest in directing an AVP film. The success of Romulus, both critically and commercially, has revitalized the franchise, keeping the Prometheus storyline alive with its Engineer-like monster. As Álvarez envisions a surprise crossover, where audiences are unaware of the AVP nature until the other creature appears, the potential for a thrilling new take on the series grows.

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

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Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP offers hope for a fresh approach to the crossover. Previous films were constrained by their Earth-bound settings and lack of character depth, leading to fan rejection. A new AVP could disregard these films, starting anew with a clean slate. With Predator: Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, perhaps Dek could be the protagonist in a new AVP. Additionally, a new entry might explore the Predalien concept further, or introduce a hybrid creature involving Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA.

With both Alien and Predator franchises now thriving, the idea of a crossover film seems inevitable. Disney is likely considering an AVP film, especially given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, the stage is set for these iconic monsters to finally have the epic confrontation fans have been eagerly awaiting.