Predator’s Newest Star Credits Alien’s Newest Star For Inspiring Whole New Take On These Pivotal Franchise Characters

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Artificial humans, or synthetics, have been a crucial element of the *Alien* movies since the very first film in 1979. Each movie has offered a new take on these characters. In the original *Alien*, Ash was a villain working for the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Bishop, in *Aliens*, helped Ripley and her allies escape. David 8, played by Michael Fassbender in the prequel films, was a fascinating character driven by a desire to understand life. The most recent *Alien* film, *Alien: Romulus*, introduced Andy, played by David Jonsson, as another memorable android. Jonsson’s performance was so strong, it’s already influencing characters in other films within the *Alien* and *Predator* universe.

I recently read an interview with Elle Fanning in *Empire* about *Predator: Badlands*, and she had some really interesting things to say about David Jonsson, who’s in *Alien: Romulus*. Apparently, the cast and crew actually went to see *Romulus* while they were filming! She said Jonsson is a fantastic actor and seeing his performance helped her feel more confident in developing her own character, Thia, as a synthetic for *Predator*. It was cool to hear how his work inspired her to create something unique.

Elle Fanning’s Predator: Badlands Character Can Help the Franchise Evolve

When audiences first saw Ash in the 1979 film *Alien*, the idea of a lifelike robot crew member seemed like something from the distant future. Though robots like Ash aren’t yet a reality, robotics has come a long way since then. Today, companies are building humanoid robots, and artificial intelligence is becoming increasingly common in our lives. Characters like Ash, and newer synthetic beings in film, feel particularly relevant now, allowing filmmakers to explore modern issues and ideas informed by decades of robotic and AI development.

The *Alien* universe, particularly the series *Alien: Earth*, has really broadened our understanding of artificial beings, revealing a complex competition involving not just synthetics, but also cyborgs and even humans whose minds have been transferred into synthetic bodies. This fits with the franchise’s history of exploring thought-provoking themes about what it means to be human and how we evolve. The new *Predator* movie, *Predator: Badlands*, is primarily a *Predator* story, but it will be fascinating to see how the powerful Weyland-Yutani corporation plays a role. Director Dan Trachtenberg has emphasized that he didn’t want to simply force a connection between the two franchises, suggesting he has a well-thought-out reason for Weyland-Yutani’s involvement. Even if it’s not directly linked to *Alien: Earth*, this could give us a deeper understanding of the corporation’s overall ambitions.

Adding Jonas Jonsson to the cast of *Predator: Badlands* is great news, especially considering how well-received his performance was in *Alien: Romulus*. While that film had some mixed reactions (particularly the digital recreation of Ian Holm), Jonsson stood out for his unique take on a synthetic character, a departure from previous portrayals. This kind of fresh approach is essential for franchises like *Alien/Predator* to stay exciting and avoid becoming repetitive. Jonsson’s popularity has continued to rise since his critically acclaimed role in *The Long Walk*, and even a talented actor like Fanning is looking to learn from him.

Having Weyland-Yutani appear in *Predator: Badlands* is a promising sign, potentially opening the door for future crossovers, even a new *Alien vs. Predator* film. If the movie does well and revives the *Predator* franchise in theaters, Fanning’s performance as Thia – and any similar synthetic characters – will likely be a key reason. She has the potential to become a truly memorable on-screen synthetic character.

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2025-09-24 23:10