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

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The excitement builds with two new Predator films directed by Prey's Dan Trachtenberg: the live-action Predator: Badlands and the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Additionally, the Alien universe expands with the FX show Alien: Earth, brought to us by Noah Hawley, the acclaimed showrunner of 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 potential crossovers.

A closer look at the 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 dive into the latest developments in these iconic franchises and explore why a new AVP film might be on the horizon sooner than we think.

The first teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands sparked curiosity among fans about the possibility of a new AVP. The trailer introduced Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with a connection to the new Predator, Dek, confirmed by Trachtenberg to be the film's protagonist. While the presence of a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film isn't definitive proof of an Alien crossover, it gains significance when coupled with the promotional videos for Alien: Earth.

In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, multiple Easter eggs hint at Alien lore. 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 seen in Alien: Romulus. The creature emerging resembles a mutated facehugger, contained on a ship resembling the Nostromo, yet named the Maginot. It's labeled as "Species 37" and marked with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR. Given the show's timeline, set two years before the original Alien, this suggests that Species 37 was the initial clue for Weyland-Yutani about the Xenomorphs.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The shared universe of Alien and Predator dates back to the 1989 Dark Horse comic series Aliens vs. Predator, before their first cinematic clash in the 2004 film AVP. The Predator 2 Easter egg, featuring a Xenomorph skull, further cemented their connection. Despite the two AVP films released in the 2000s receiving poor reviews, they were commercially successful. However, the franchise struggled to maintain momentum, overshadowed by other genre successes like the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

The Alien and Predator franchises boast iconic entries: Ridley Scott’s original Alien, James Cameron’s Aliens, and John McTiernan’s Predator. Despite the critical and commercial disappointment of the AVP films and subsequent entries like Prometheus and The Predator, recent successes like Prey and Alien: Romulus have revitalized interest. With teases from upcoming projects, the prospect of a new AVP feels tantalizingly close.

The development of a sequel to Alien: Romulus and director Fede Álvarez's interest in directing an AVP film add to the excitement. Álvarez suggests that the best AVP would surprise audiences, blending elements of both franchises seamlessly. His vision could rejuvenate the crossover concept, especially with the success of Alien: Romulus.

With Predator: Badlands also set in space, potential Easter eggs or cameos could hint at a connection to Alien: Romulus. Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP, coupled with the current health of both franchises, suggests that Disney may be considering a new crossover film. The idea of an event film featuring these iconic monsters feels more like a matter of "when" rather than "if," especially with talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved.

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

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Álvarez's excitement about AVP offers hope for a fresh take on the concept. The previous AVP films, set on Earth, limited their scope and struggled with character development. A new approach could discard these films from continuity and start anew, possibly featuring Dek as the protagonist in a new AVP. Expanding on the Predalien concept with Engineer mutagen could introduce a terrifying new creature. With both franchises thriving, a new AVP feels inevitable, promising a cinematic event that could deliver the epic battle fans crave.