Predator: Badlands Sets Up a New Alien vs. Predator Movie

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This film brings together a massive crossover event for fans. It’s the first new Predator movie in seven years, following the 2018 film which almost ended the series. Director Dan Trachtenberg, known for the Prey films on Hulu, is back with his most ambitious Predator project yet. Audiences will finally get a clear idea of the director’s vision for the future of the franchise – and they’re going to love it.

I was blown away by the new Predator movie, Badlands! Everyone seems to love it – critics and regular moviegoers like me are all giving it high praise. It’s also been a huge success in theaters, which proves people still want to see stories in this universe. Honestly, the amazing reaction makes me think we’ll be getting a lot more Predator films soon. And the coolest part? It feels like this movie could finally lead to a new Alien vs. Predator film – the first in almost 20 years! I’m really excited about that possibility.

Predator: Badlands Builds a Bridge to the Alien Franchise

The new movie, Predator: Badlands, includes hints that could finally lead to a crossover between the Predator and Alien universes. The film is set far in the future, after the events of previous Predator movies which took place in the late 20th and early 21st centuries. This timeline aligns Badlands with the Alien films, which begin in the 22nd century and beyond. By establishing these connections, Predator: Badlands includes several subtle references—or Easter eggs—that link the two franchises together.

A key element linking the Predator and Alien universes is the Weyland-Yutani corporation. Known for its relentless pursuit of a xenomorph for research, as seen in the Alien films, Weyland-Yutani funded the original Alien‘s mission and has remained a significant presence throughout the franchise, including the recent Alien: Earth FX series. Predator: Badlands now officially confirms that Weyland-Yutani exists within the Predator universe, hinting at the potential arrival of xenomorphs as well.

As a huge fan, I almost lost it when I spotted what looked like a Xenomorph skull mounted on Kwei’s wall! Between that, the Predalien, and the other hints, it’s making me believe a crossover between the Predator and Alien universes is definitely happening – and I am so ready!

The Yautja (Predators) and xenomorphs have clashed on screen twice: in the 2004 film Alien vs. Predator and its 2007 sequel, AvP: Requiem. However, it’s unclear if these movies are officially part of the larger Alien universe. Most fans agree that while the Alien vs. Predator films aren’t considered canon to the main Alien storyline, they do form a separate, self-contained canon for the Predator series.

This suggests that any future collaborations between these two series would probably happen within the world of Predator. So, it’s logical that filmmakers are starting to develop ideas for another Alien vs. Predator movie by focusing on the Predators’ history.

What Has Dan Trachtenberg Said About Another Alien vs. Predator Movie?

Dan Trachtenberg has significantly expanded the world of Predator, going far beyond Badlands, and he might even be considering another Alien vs. Predator film. He’s been the driving creative force behind the Predator movies lately, starting with the streamlined approach of 2019’s Prey. Since then, he’s explored fresh ideas in films like Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands. But that doesn’t mean he’s closed off to revisiting older concepts, too.

The director hasn’t officially said if he plans to continue the Alien vs. Predator series, but he did discuss including the Weyland-Yutani corporation in his film, Badlands. In an interview with Empire magazine, Trachtenberg explained that he added “the Company” to the story because it made sense for the plot, not just as a way to combine the two franchises.

As a huge fan of both Badlands and the Alien franchise, I wasn’t surprised to see so many connections between them. While the mention of Weyland-Yutani might just be a clever story detail for now, I get the feeling Fox and Disney are laying the groundwork for something much bigger – a potential crossover event down the line. It feels deliberate, you know?

Although Dan Trachtenberg hasn’t revealed much about a potential third Alien vs. Predator movie, other filmmakers are keen to make one. Director Fede Álvarez has specifically said he’d like to direct a third AvP film, and even suggested he and Trachtenberg could co-direct it. This confirms that discussions about a new crossover are happening among those involved with the Alien franchise. Both the Alien and Predator series have recently experienced a resurgence in popularity, making another installment seem more likely.

It seems too coincidental that both franchises are thriving at the same time, suggesting a bigger strategy might be underway. Given their renewed success, it would make perfect sense for Disney and Fox to explore ways to link these stories in future movies.

What Would a Third Alien vs. Predator Movie Be About?

Everyone is eager to see another Alien vs. Predator movie, but it needs to be more than just a mindless spectacle. The first film successfully built a compelling backstory for the Predators, showing they intentionally bred and hunted Xenomorphs on Earth as a game. The sequel attempted a new angle with a Predator-Xenomorph hybrid, but ultimately didn’t add anything significant to either franchise. To avoid the pitfalls of Requiem, a new Alien vs. Predator film must offer a fresh perspective and justify its existence by expanding the established lore in a meaningful way.

Dan Trachtenberg’s recent Predator films have resonated with audiences because he consistently finds fresh, unexpected approaches to the established formula – like exploring the past or even telling the story from the Predator’s perspective. This makes him an ideal candidate to direct a new Alien vs. Predator movie, offering him the opportunity to apply his creative vision to a legendary science fiction crossover.

A new take on the Alien vs. Predator franchise could position humans as a serious danger alongside the aliens themselves. Director Trachtenberg has hinted at bringing back the main character from the original Predator in future films. A possible storyline for the next Alien vs. Predator movie could involve characters who have already demonstrated their ability to survive encounters with both xenomorphs and Yautja. The ending of Predator: Killer of Killers suggested the return of Dutch, along with Naru from Prey and Mike Harrigan from Predator 2.

If these three skilled hunters ever get caught in a battle between the Predators and the Xenomorphs, their abilities would truly be put to the ultimate test.

A major crossover could bring characters from the Alien movies into the mix, including the character Rain Carradine, played by Cailey Spaeny. Sigourney Weaver might even return as Ellen Ripley, despite stepping away from the role nearly thirty years ago – she recently confirmed her interest. This could lead to an epic sci-fi team-up, with Ripley joining forces with characters like Dutch to battle both the xenomorphs and the Yautja.

This story is so compelling it deserves a cinematic release, and it’s substantial enough to warrant a third Alien vs. Predator film, even after almost two decades.

Now that Predator: Badlands is in cinemas, the future seems promising for both the Alien and Predator series. While each franchise could continue independently, many fans are hoping for a major crossover event that would bring these two sci-fi worlds together.

Predator: Badlands is now playing in theaters.

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2025-11-24 00:08