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

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. Not only will we see two new Predator films directed by Prey's Dan Trachtenberg, including the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers, but we're also eagerly awaiting a significant addition to the Alien universe. This comes in the form of an FX show titled Alien: Earth, helmed by the acclaimed showrunner Noah Hawley, known for Fargo and Legion. While these projects are not officially linked, the shared universe of Alien and Predator, established through numerous films, comics, and video games, keeps fans hopeful for a crossover.

Analyzing the latest 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 we might see AVP return to the big screen sooner rather than later.

Evil Easter Eggs ----------------

The initial teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands sparked speculation among fans about a potential new Alien vs. Predator film. The trailer 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 doesn't necessarily signal a major Alien crossover, it gains significance with the release of new promotional videos for Alien: Earth.

In the Gestation Complete teaser, multiple Easter eggs related to Alien lore are evident. We see the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, used by the Engineers to seed life on Earth, leading to an egg sac similar to one in Alien: Romulus. The creature emerging resembles a facehugger but appears mutated. This specimen is contained on a ship resembling the Nostromo, named the Maginot, and is designated "Species 37" with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR. Given that the show is set two years before the events of Alien, this suggests that Species 37 might have been the initial clue leading Weyland-Yutani to the Xenomorphs.

A related teaser called Crate features specimen containers, with a narrator mentioning that the ship collected five different life forms from the universe's darkest corners. While a classic Xenomorph is shown, the mention of five species suggests an expansion of the alien creatures in this universe. Could one of these be related to the Predators? This aligns with Predator: Badlands being set on an alien world where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. Perhaps Elle Fanning's android was searching for these specimens, or one of these monsters might mutate into something featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers. While we await the premiere, 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 the same 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, further cementing their shared universe. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games were released, establishing the concept long before the Marvel Cinematic Universe popularized it.

Despite the early introduction of AVP, the two films released in the 2000s, Alien vs. Predator and Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, did not resonate well with audiences or critics, despite their box office success. The trend of serialized superhero and sci-fi blockbusters was emerging, but AVP was treated as a B-tier 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 saw further challenges with Ridley Scott's Prometheus series and Shane Black's The Predator failing to meet expectations. 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 seems closer than ever.

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 ----------------------

A sequel to Alien: Romulus is currently in development, with director Fede Álvarez set to return and expressing interest in directing an Alien vs. Predator 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 direct sequel could explore their continued journey. Additionally, with Predator: Badlands set in space, there's potential for cameos or Easter eggs hinting at a connection to Romulus.

Álvarez has suggested that the best approach for an AVP film would be to surprise audiences, starting as a Predator or Alien movie before introducing the other creature. This approach could captivate audiences and reinvigorate the crossover concept.

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

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Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP offers hope for a successful new take on the crossover. The previous films, set on contemporary Earth, limited their scope and struggled with two-dimensional characters. A new AVP could disregard these films and start fresh, perhaps with Dek as the lead if he survives Badlands. Additionally, a new entry could explore the Predalien concept further, possibly involving Engineer mutagen to create a terrifying hybrid of Alien, Predator, and Engineer.

With both Alien and Predator franchises in a healthier state than in recent years, the idea of a crossover film is likely on Disney's radar. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration, a new AVP feels imminent. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, these iconic monsters may finally get the epic battle they deserve on the big screen.