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

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have a lot to look forward to in 2025. The excitement is palpable with two new Predator films from the acclaimed director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg. The first, the live-action Predator: Badlands, promises a thrilling narrative, while the animated Hulu offering Predator: Killer of Killers will delve into new territory. Additionally, the Alien universe is expanding with a major new entry from the creative mind behind Fargo and Legion, Noah Hawley, with the FX show Alien: Earth. Although these projects are not officially connected, the long-standing history of Alien and Predator as part of a shared universe, crossing paths in films, comic books, and video games, keeps fans hopeful for a potential crossover.

Analyzing the latest promotional materials for both Predator: Badlands and Alien: Earth might hint at Disney's strategy to lay the groundwork for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) event. Let’s dive deeper into the developments in these beloved franchises and explore the possibility of an AVP return to the big screen.

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

The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands sparked speculation among fans about a potential new AVP film. It introduced Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with a connection to the new Predator protagonist, Dek, as confirmed by Trachtenberg. While a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film isn't a direct crossover hint, the context becomes intriguing when combined with the promotional materials for Alien: Earth.

The Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth is rife with Easter eggs that tie into the Alien lore. It showcases the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, used by the Engineers to seed life on Earth, leading to an egg sac reminiscent of one seen in Alien: Romulus. The creature emerging from it, while resembling a facehugger, shows mutations. This creature, named "Species 37" and labeled with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR, is aboard a vessel called the Maginot, which echoes the Nostromo from the original Alien film. Given that Alien: Earth is set two years before the events of Alien, this suggests that Species 37 might be the initial discovery that leads Weyland-Yutani to the Xenomorphs.

A related teaser called Crate features specimen containers, with a narrator mentioning the collection of five different life forms from the universe's darkest corners. While a classic Xenomorph is shown, the inclusion of multiple species suggests a broader expansion of the alien roster. This could potentially include creatures related to the Predators, aligning with the setting of Predator: Badlands where Dek hunts extraterrestrial monstrosities. Could Elle Fanning's android be searching for these specimens? Or might one of these monsters evolve into something featured in Badlands or Killer of Killers? While we await the premiere to confirm, the possibility of Predator DNA in Alien: Earth is tantalizing.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The shared universe of Alien and Predator has a rich history. The first AVP film emerged in 2004, but the crossover began with the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator. The following year, Predator 2 featured a Xenomorph skull, cementing the connection. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games solidified the idea of these iconic creatures sharing a universe, long before the concept gained mainstream popularity with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Despite the early start, the AVP films in the 2000s, directed by Paul W. S. Anderson and The Brothers Strause, didn't resonate well with audiences or critics, despite their box office success. At the time, the superhero and sci-fi genre was booming, but not all franchises received the attention needed for longevity. AVP was seen as a B-tier property by 20th Century Fox, despite the legacy of stellar 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 not continuing past Alien: Covenant and Shane Black's The Predator failing to rejuvenate the franchise. However, the success of Prey in 2022 and Alien: Romulus in 2024 marked a turning point for both series. With the upcoming projects teasing potential connections, the prospect of a new AVP film 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 ----------------------

Adding to the excitement, a sequel to Alien: Romulus is currently in development, with director Fede Álvarez set to return. Álvarez has expressed interest in directing an AVP film, and the success of Romulus has revitalized the franchise. The characters Rain Carradine and Andy, played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson, are in stasis heading to Yvaga III, setting the stage for a potential sequel. With Predator: Badlands also set in space, there could be opportunities for cameos or Easter eggs hinting at a Romulus connection.

Álvarez envisions an AVP film that surprises audiences by introducing the other species unexpectedly. He shared with 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

View 12 Images

Álvarez's enthusiasm for an AVP film is a positive sign that a new take on the crossover could surpass the previous attempts. The earlier films, set on contemporary Earth, were limited in scope and struggled with character development. A fresh start could ignore these films' continuity, allowing for a new narrative. With Predator: Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, perhaps Dek could become the protagonist of a new AVP. Additionally, exploring the Predalien concept introduced in the earlier films, possibly enhanced by Engineer mutagen, could offer a terrifying new hybrid creature.

With both Alien and Predator franchises in a healthier state than in years, the idea of an AVP crossover film is likely on Disney's radar. In an era where cinematic universes and cross-medium integration are thriving, a new AVP feels inevitable. With visionary filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, the stage is set for these iconic monsters to clash in a cinematic event that fans have been eagerly anticipating.