Why a Predator and Alien Crossover Could Ruin the Franchise

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Currently, it’s an exciting era for cinematic monsters, as various franchises are thriving at the box office. The MonsterVerse from Legendary consistently delivers hits featuring titans like Godzilla and King Kong. Additionally, Universal is attempting to create a franchise around its classic horror characters. Moreover, iconic properties such as Predator and Alien are making comebacks, with a new Alien: Romulus sequel in development and two Predator movies scheduled for release in 2025. Intriguingly, there’s even an Alien reference in the trailer for Predator: Badlands, hinting at another potential crossover between these space-themed franchises.

I can’t help but feel a pang of apprehension at the prospect of Xenomorphs sharing the same cosmos as Dek, the hero of Badlands. While the thought might stir excitement in some, it’s hard not to view it as a portent of doom. Both Predator and Alien have failed to establish a solid foundation for a crossover, and if the powers that be decide to merge them before the time is ripe, the result may unfortunately mirror the quality of the Alien vs. Predator films.

The Alien vs. Predator Movies Are Products of Their Time

The “Alien vs. Predator” series originated in the late ’80s when Dark Horse Comics sought to cash in on the popularity of alien slayers. A movie script was initially circulating, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that the project truly picked up speed. During this time, action movies were extremely popular, with series like “Underworld” and “Resident Evil” earning substantial profits at the box office. Paul W. S. Anderson was brought on board to complete the “Alien vs. Predator” project, and while he managed to depict a Yautja battling a Xenomorph, the story lacked much complexity beyond that fight.

The film battle between Alien and Predator, having generated sufficient revenue, spawned a sequel titled Requiem. Regrettably, it delivered more of the familiar formula, with both viewers and critics coming to the consensus that neither series possessed enough depth to justify a blockbuster crossover event. A persistent problem that afflicted both films was the scarcity of an engaging plot. Although there were numerous human characters who responded to the terrifying events unfolding around them, they failed to leave a lasting impression, thus the action took on the burden of carrying the narrative.

Taking a brief glance at the latest iterations of the movies ‘Predator’ and ‘Alien’, which focus significantly on developing complex human characters, might make one question another encounter between these two species. Nonetheless, it’s always wise to prepare for the unexpected.

Alien and Predator Need More Wins Before They Cross Paths Again

For the past couple of years, the Alien and Predator franchises have seen remarkable growth. The 2022 release of Prey demonstrated Dan Trachtenberg’s and team’s deep grasp of the Yautja and what makes them compelling. On the other hand, in 2024, Fede Álvarez brought the Alien franchise back to its core with Alien: Romulus, setting up a thrilling sequel based on Ridley Scott’s foundation. However, the trailer for Predator: Badlands, starring Elle Fanning as a Weyland-Yutani android, suggests that all the groundwork laid so far might be overshadowed.

It’s possible that the Weyland-Yutani android in “Baldands” is merely a nod to the “Alien” movie franchise, and director Drew Goddard might not be setting up a crossover. However, given the prevalence of shared universes in modern cinema, every hint could potentially be significant, especially considering the connections between “Alien” and “Predator.” Let’s keep our fingers crossed that it all turns out well in the end.

Noah Hawley, known for his work on Fargo, is gearing up to premiere the live-action TV series Alien: Earth, while Trachtenberg will present his animated anthology film Predator: Killer of Killers prior to Badlands’ release date. If these projects prove engaging and enhance the anticipation for their respective franchises’ next cinematic installments, it could pave the way for the concept of another Alien vs. Predator movie to seem less intimidating.

Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7, 2025.

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2025-05-10 04:15