Alien and Predator Surge: Is AVP Sequel Imminent?

Fans of the Alien and Predator franchises have much to anticipate in 2025. Excitingly, we're set to see two new Predator films from the acclaimed Prey director, Dan Trachtenberg. The first is the live-action Predator: Badlands, and the second is the animated Hulu series Predator: Killer of Killers. Additionally, the Alien universe is expanding with a new FX show, Alien: Earth, helmed by the talented Noah Hawley, known for his work on Fargo and Legion. While these projects aren't officially connected, the shared history between Alien and Predator, which spans across films, comics, and video games, suggests the possibility of a future crossover. Let's dive into the latest developments and explore why a new Alien vs. Predator (AVP) film might be closer than we think.

The teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands has sparked speculation among fans about a potential new AVP film. It introduces Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani synthetic connected to a new Predator named Dek, confirmed to be the film's protagonist. Although the presence of a Weyland-Yutani android in a Predator movie isn't definitive proof of an impending crossover, the context changes with the release of new promotional material for Alien: Earth.

In the Gestation Complete teaser for Alien: Earth, there are numerous Easter eggs tied to Alien lore. It features the black liquid mutagen from Prometheus, leading to an egg sac resembling one from Alien: Romulus. A mutated creature resembling a facehugger emerges from this sac aboard a ship called the Maginot, reminiscent of the Nostromo. This creature, designated as "Species 37," hints at connections to the Xenomorphs, suggesting that it might have been what initially drew Weyland-Yutani's attention to these creatures.

Alien and Predator’s Long, Intertwined History

The Alien and Predator franchises have been part of a shared universe for decades. Their first crossover occurred in the 1989 Dark Horse comic series, Aliens vs. Predator, followed by the Easter egg in Predator 2 (1990) featuring a Xenomorph skull. The AVP films released in 2004 and 2007, despite their commercial success, didn't resonate well critically or with audiences. The rise of serialized superhero and sci-fi blockbusters in the 2000s didn't favor AVP, which was often treated as a secondary property by 20th Century Fox.

Iconic films like Ridley Scott's Alien, James Cameron's Aliens, and John McTiernan's Predator set high standards for these franchises. However, the AVP films failed to meet these expectations. The 2010s saw further challenges with Ridley Scott's Prometheus series and Shane Black's The Predator, but recent successes like Prey (2022) and Alien: Romulus (2024) have revitalized both series, making the prospect of a new AVP more tantalizing.

Is it time for a new Alien vs. Predator movie?

A sequel to Alien: Romulus is in development, with director Fede Álvarez set to return. Álvarez has expressed interest in directing an AVP film, suggesting a surprise crossover where audiences are unaware of the other creature's presence until the reveal. This approach could reinvigorate the franchise and captivate fans.

Álvarez's enthusiasm for AVP offers hope that a new film could surpass its predecessors. The previous AVP films were limited by their Earth-bound settings and lacked depth in character development. A fresh start could ignore these films' continuity and introduce new elements, such as expanding on the Predalien concept or exploring a hybrid creature born from Engineer mutagen.

Both Alien and Predator franchises are currently thriving, making a crossover film an attractive prospect for Disney. With the popularity of cinematic universes and cross-medium storytelling, a new AVP film seems inevitable. With talented filmmakers like Álvarez and Trachtenberg involved, these iconic monsters might finally clash in a spectacular big-screen event.

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