How ‘Predator: Badlands’ Sets Up A New Alien x Predator Movie

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The new film, Predator: Badlands, hints at potential future crossovers with the Alien series, which has excited fans. While it’s common to see characters from different franchises meet in comics and video games, a big-screen adaptation is often difficult due to complicated ownership rights. We rarely see dream matchups like Superman versus Thor or Jason Bourne and James Bond working together in movies. However, fans of Alien and Predator were fortunate to get AVP: Alien vs. Predator in 2004, and a sequel in 2007.

Now that Disney owns 20th Century Studios—and has successfully built interconnected universes with Marvel and Star Wars—it’s likely they’ll establish an official storyline for the Alien and Predator franchises. The 2025 film Predator: Killer of Killers already included elements from the Alien series, hinting that both take place in the same universe. Plus, there are new Alien projects in the works, including Alien: Earth and a follow-up to 2024’s Alien: Romulus.

‘Predator: Badlands’ Has Several ‘Alien References’


20th Century Studios

Predator: Badlands expands on the history of the Yautja (Predators) like never before in one film, and notably connects with the Alien universe. The main villain is the Weyland-Yutani Corporation – a familiar, menacing presence in the Alien films since 1979 – and is embodied by Tessa, a synthetic being played by Elle Fanning. Tessa takes direction from MU/TH/UR (Mother), the computer from the original Alien, and utilizes updated versions of the mech suits seen in Aliens.

The timelines of the Alien and Predator movies are complicated, and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly when Badlands takes place. The merger of the Weyland and Yutani corporations happened in 2099, so Badlands must be set after that. Plus, the technology shown in Badlands seems more futuristic than what we see in Aliens. While many thought Badlands occurred after Aliens, the director, Dan Trachtenberg, recently stated it’s actually set much later in the combined timeline.

Director Trachtenberg stated that Predator: Badlands takes place after Alien: Resurrection, which confused fans. The timeline doesn’t quite add up, as the powerful Weyland-Yutani corporation was supposedly shut down thirty years before Badlands begins. This suggests either the ships in Badlands have been operating independently for a long time, or Trachtenberg is changing the established story from Resurrection. Considering Resurrection wasn’t very well-received, fans might not be happy with this change.

No ‘Alien’ & ‘Predator’ Crossover Has Been Announced


20th Century Fox

Dan Trachtenberg, the director behind the recent Predator films, has expressed interest in expanding the franchise with crossovers, but projects in the Alien universe haven’t shown the same enthusiasm. Although there was talk of a Predator creature appearing in the Alien: Earth series, it ultimately didn’t happen. Trachtenberg recently told ScreenRant that he’s hoping to make another Predator movie, but its future depends on how well Badlands does in theaters. With Badlands having a strong opening weekend and receiving positive reviews, a new film seems possible.

In 2024, the director of the new Alien: Romulus film, Fede Álvarez, hinted at a possible Alien vs. Predator sequel. He even suggested a creative approach: co-directing it with his friend Dan, similar to how Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez have collaborated on projects, each directing a portion of the film. If it happens, this could be fantastic news for fans, considering the success both directors have had with their own films.

Dan Trachtenberg, the director of the new Alien: Earth, has stated he doesn’t foresee working directly with Noah Hawley, the creator of the Alien TV series on FX. While they’ve discussed their projects, it was simply to avoid repeating similar story elements. Trachtenberg explained that their stories are set in very different parts of the Alien universe, making a crossover unlikely.

We likely won’t see a new Alien vs. Predator movie anytime soon until 20th Century Fox officially announces something. While Predator: Badlands included references to the Weyland-Yutani corporation, it didn’t suggest a larger story connecting the Alien and Predator universes. A sequel to Alien: Romulus is being made, and Dan Trachtenberg might create a follow-up to Predator: Badlands, but concrete plans for a full crossover are still a long way off.

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2025-11-10 02:48