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

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025, with exciting new additions to both universes. From Prey director Dan Trachtenberg, we're getting two new Predator films: the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Meanwhile, the Alien universe will expand with a new FX show, Alien: Earth, helmed by Fargo and Legion showrunner Noah Hawley. While these projects are not officially connected, the shared history between Alien and Predator, evident in films, comic books, and video games, hints at potential crossover opportunities. Let's delve into the latest developments and explore why a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) film might be on the horizon sooner than expected.

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

The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation about a potential AVP crossover. It features Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic linked to a new Predator, Dek, who Trachtenberg confirmed as the film's protagonist. Although the presence of a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film isn't a direct nod to a crossover, it gains significance when coupled with promotional material for Alien: Earth.

In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, several Easter eggs reference Alien lore. Notably, the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus appears, leading to an egg sac resembling one from Alien: Romulus. The emerging creature, though similar to a facehugger, shows mutations, and is designated as "Species 37" aboard the ship Maginot, reminiscent of the Nostromo. The ship's computer, MU-TH-UR, marks the creature's DNA as unknown, suggesting this species may have been the initial clue to the Xenomorphs for Weyland-Yutani, two years before the events of the original Alien.

A related teaser titled Crate shows specimen containers, with a narrator revealing the ship collected five unique alien species. A classic Xenomorph appears, but the mention of five species hints at an expanded universe. Could one of these species be connected to the Predators? Given Predator: Badlands' setting on an alien world where Dek hunts extraterrestrial beasts, it's plausible that Elle Fanning's android was involved in collecting these specimens. This connection could lead to intriguing developments in both Badlands and Killer of Killers.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The shared universe of Alien and Predator dates back to a 1989 Dark Horse comic series, Aliens vs. Predator, long before their cinematic crossover in 2004. Predator 2 included a Xenomorph skull as an Easter egg, further solidifying their interconnected lore. Despite the commercial success of the 2000s AVP films, they were critically panned, and the franchise struggled to maintain its momentum.

The Alien and Predator franchises have produced iconic films, with Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator standing out as classics. However, the AVP films failed to match this legacy, and subsequent attempts to revive both franchises faced challenges. Yet, recent successes like Prey and Alien: Romulus have revitalized interest, making the prospect of a new AVP film more enticing.

Converging for Carnage

With a sequel to Alien: Romulus in development and director Fede Álvarez expressing interest in an AVP project, the stage is set for potential crossovers. Álvarez suggested the ideal AVP film would surprise audiences by seamlessly integrating both creatures into a single narrative. The success of Romulus and Álvarez's vision could pave the way for a fresh take on the AVP concept.

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

View 12 ImagesÁlvarez's enthusiasm for an AVP project offers hope for a successful reinterpretation. The previous AVP films, set on Earth, were limited in scope and lacked compelling characters. A new film could disregard these entries and start afresh, potentially featuring Dek as the lead in a thrilling new narrative. The concept of a Predalien could also be revisited, perhaps incorporating Engineer mutagen to create a terrifying new hybrid.

With both franchises enjoying a resurgence, the idea of an AVP crossover film seems inevitable. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium storytelling, a new AVP film could be the event fans have been waiting for. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg at the helm, the iconic clash between Alien and Predator may soon return to the big screen.