Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. The excitement is building with two new Predator films on the horizon from the acclaimed director of *Prey*, Dan Trachtenberg. *Predator: Badlands* will be a live-action venture, while *Predator: Killer of Killers* will take an animated approach on Hulu. Additionally, the Alien universe is expanding with a new FX series, *Alien: Earth*, helmed by the talented showrunner of *Fargo* and *Legion*, Noah Hawley. While these projects are not officially connected yet, the shared universe of Alien and Predator has long been established through multiple films, comic books, and video games, suggesting potential for future crossovers.

A closer look at the promotional materials for *Predator: Badlands* and *Alien: Earth* suggests that Disney might be laying the groundwork for a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) crossover. Let's delve into the developments within these franchises and explore why a new AVP film might be closer than we think.

The teaser trailer for *Predator: Badlands* has already sparked speculation among fans about a potential new AVP film. It reveals that Elle Fanning will portray a Weyland-Yutani synthetic with a connection to a new Predator named Dek, who Trachtenberg has confirmed as the film's protagonist. While a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator film doesn't necessarily signal an immediate crossover, the significance grows with the release of new promotional videos for *Alien: Earth*.

In the *Gestation Complete* teaser for *Alien: Earth*, several Easter eggs tie back to the Alien lore. We see the black liquid mutagen from *Prometheus*, which is 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 facehugger but appears mutated. This specimen is contained on a ship resembling the Nostromo, named the Maginot, and is designated "Species 37" with unknown DNA by the ship's computer, MU-TH-UR. Given that *Alien: Earth* is set two years before the events of the original *Alien*, this could indicate that Species 37 is what initially alerted Weyland-Yutani to the existence of Xenomorphs.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The shared universe of Alien and Predator dates back further than many might realize. The first AVP encounter occurred in the 1989 Dark Horse comic series *Aliens vs. Predator*. The following year, *Predator 2* included a Xenomorph skull as an Easter egg on the Predator's trophy wall. Throughout the '90s, numerous AVP comics and video games further solidified the concept of these two creatures inhabiting the same universe, long before such crossovers became mainstream with the Marvel Cinematic Universe.

Despite early attempts with the 2004 film *Alien vs. Predator* and its 2007 sequel *Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem*, the series struggled to gain traction due to poor critical and audience reception, despite their box office success. At the time, serialized superhero and science-fiction blockbusters were on the rise, yet AVP was treated as a B-tier property by 20th Century Fox, despite the individual successes of the Alien and Predator franchises. Ridley Scott's *Alien*, James Cameron's *Aliens*, and John McTiernan's *Predator* are all highly regarded in their respective genres. The AVP films, however, did not meet the same standards. The 2010s saw further challenges with the commercial disappointment of *Alien: Covenant* and *The Predator*. However, the success of *Prey* in 2022 and *Alien: Romulus* in 2024 has revitalized both franchises, setting the stage for a potential new AVP film.

It's also worth noting that a sequel to *Alien: Romulus* is in development, with director Fede Álvarez set to return. Álvarez has expressed interest in directing an AVP film, and *Romulus* was a critical and commercial success, revitalizing the Alien franchise. The sequel will likely follow Rain Carradine and Andy, who are in stasis heading to Yvaga III. With *Badlands* also set in space, there could be potential for cameos or Easter eggs hinting at a *Romulus* connection.

Álvarez has shared his vision for an AVP film, suggesting it should surprise audiences by revealing the crossover mid-story. He told *Collider* that the best AVP would be one where viewers think they're watching a Predator movie until Xenomorphs appear, or vice versa. This approach could invigorate the crossover concept and bring fresh excitement to fans.

The Alien Movies' Long History of Recycling Rejected Ideas

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Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP offers hope for a successful new take on the crossover. The previous films were limited by their Earth-bound settings and struggled with two-dimensional characters. A new AVP could start fresh, ignoring past films and introducing innovative elements. With Badlands featuring a Predator as the lead, Dek could potentially become the protagonist of a new AVP. Additionally, a new entry could expand on the Predalien concept and introduce a creature combining Alien, Predator, and Engineer DNA, creating a truly terrifying antagonist.

With both Alien and Predator franchises now thriving, the prospect of an AVP crossover seems increasingly likely. Given the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium integration, a new AVP film feels imminent. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, the iconic monsters might finally get the epic showdown fans have long awaited.