It’s been a long, long time since the Alien and Predator franchises crossed paths on the big screen. That goes back to 2007’s very disappointing (and so dark it’s downright hard to see what’s going on) Alien vs. Predator: Requiem. Since then, these two legendary horror/sci-fi creatures have existed apart from one another. But Disney purchased most of Fox in a landmark deal in 2019, which brought both of these franchises under the studio’s control. That has, apparently, given way to a future where these fearsome beasts could meet again.
In a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter, 20th Century Studios head Steve Asbell addressed the future of both the Alien and Predator franchises. For starters, he confirmed that we’re not only getting director Dan Trachtenberg’s Prey follow-up Predator: Badlands in theaters next year, but there’s also a secret Predator movie coming our way as well. The executive also touched on the possibility of a new Alien vs. Predator movie, which he said will “probably” happen. Elaborating on the matter, Asbell made things sound more interesting.
“It wouldn’t be in the way you think. That’s the thing. Not in the way that it will just be called Alien vs. Predator or anything like the original movies. If we do this, they’ll be organically created out of these two franchises that we’ve continued with characters that we fall in love with and those characters will combine…perhaps. But we haven’t gotten to that point. And we’re not just going to bang it out.”
It sounds very much like this has been discussed in the halls of 20th Century Studios. It also sounds like the idea here is not just to make some “versus” film where Xenomorphs fight Predators. Instead, it sounds like the plan is to make independent entries in both universes that could eventually have connective tissue, leading to more natural crossovers. In short, an Alien/Predator cinematic universe very well could be in the cards down the line.
2004’s Alien vs. Predator came at a time when both of these properties were in need of something new. It worked well enough 20 years ago but it would be tough for anyone to argue that the film made the most of the opportunity. Asbell doesn’t seem to be rushing anything, and it’s interesting that they seem to have a loose plan for this running in the background while Trachtenberg is making his Predator films.
Let’s not forget that Fede Alvarez recently delivered a huge hit with Alien: Romulus, and that film has a sequel in development as well. It’s also important to note that the recent entries in both franchises have been very well received. That’s something that the studio can build on in the coming years. All of the necessary pieces are in play.
“Maybe we should do like Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez did with From Dusk Till Dawn,” Alvarez previously proposed when asked about a new Alien vs. Predator movie, suggesting he could make one with Trachtenberg. “We’ll do that. I direct one half, he directs the other half. There you go. That’s the pitch.”
Predator: Badlands is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025. For more, get the latest on the Alien: Romulus sequel, which is currently in the works.
