Disney and twentieth Century Studios launched a brand new trailer for the upcoming “Predator: Badlands” right now, and it provided up a way more thorough take a look at director Dan Trachtenberg’s live-action follow-up to 2022’s much-acclaimed “Prey.” Whereas that film took issues again to the distant previous, this new entry within the franchise will take us deep into the long run. It additionally, very evidently, goes to ship an enormous sci-fi crossover, presumably even constructing out a brand new cinematic universe. Prepare for a brand new “Alien”https://www.slashfilm.com/”Predator” shared universe.
The primary “Badlands” trailer launched us to Elle Fanning’s character, an android named Thia. Eagle-eyed followers observed that her eyes featured a Weyland-Yutani emblem, referencing the corporate that produces androids within the “Alien” universe. That appeared to be laying the groundwork to convey these universes collectively for the primary time for the reason that “Alien vs. Predator” films within the early 2000s. This newest trailer makes it unquestionably clear that is precisely what’s taking place.
For one, we see Thia in dangerous form with the phrases “Weyland-Yutani” showing on display screen in plain sight. The ultimate shot of the trailer additionally options Thia and her younger Predator buddy squaring off towards an enormous robotic machine not in contrast to the loader from the top of “Aliens.” With out coming proper out and saying it, it is apparent what’s taking place right here. The studio can also be preserving the specifics largely underneath wraps, because the official synopsis, which reads as follows, retains issues fairly imprecise:
“Predator: Badlands,” which stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is ready sooner or later on a distant planet, the place a younger Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey looking for the final word adversary.
The Predator and Alien universes are about to collide
There are different hints throughout the newest “Badlands” trailer that recommend extra is occurring as nicely. At one level, Thia says, “You’ve got come to essentially the most harmful planet within the universe” whereas chatting with the unnamed younger Predator on the heart of the story. She then provides, “You are after a creature that may’t be killed. The definitive apex predator.”
The planet stays unnamed and there are fairly just a few huge, harmful creatures within the trailer. However studying between the traces, it very a lot looks as if Thia might be speaking a couple of Xenomorph, versus something we’re really seeing on display screen. Whether or not or not a Xenomorph seems on this film, although, the result is similar: the “Alien” films and the “Predator” films clearly exist in the identical universe. That carries main implications.
“Alien vs. Predator” was a strong field workplace hit in 2004, resulting in the much-maligned sequel “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem.” These films are usually not a part of the “Alien” canon any longer, however there has at all times existed a perception amongst followers that they’re canon within the “Predator” universe. With what Trachtenberg is doing right here, it appears probably that Disney would excise these films from the canon completely.
The opposite essential factor to debate is final yr’s “Alien: Romulus.” Directed by Fede Alvarez, the ending of “Romulus” noticed Rain (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson) heading off to some unknown world. With out diving too far into speculative territory right here, might their closing vacation spot contain Predators and Xenomorphs? The proof is mounting {that a} extra significant crossover is within the playing cards.
Is Disney constructing as much as a brand new Alien vs. Predator film?
So what’s that endgame, precisely? One other “Alien vs. Predator” film? That may make sense, however twentieth Century Studios head Steve Asbell addressed that very query in an October 2024 interview with The Hollywood Reporter, suggesting it would not be as simple as that. This is what he needed to say about it:
“It would not be in the best way you assume. That is the factor. Not in the best way that it’s going to simply be referred to as Alien vs. Predator or something like the unique films. If we do that, they’re going to be organically created out of those two franchises that we have continued with characters that we fall in love with and people characters will mix…maybe.”
The place does that go away us? We all know for certain that an “Alien: Romulus” sequel is already within the works. That would assist additional construct a bridge to this “Predator” crossover, no matter form that takes. As Asbell says, it would not be as reductive as an “AvP” reboot. Doing any extra speculating relating to the specifics looks as if a idiot’s errand. We’ll probably know much more as soon as “Badlands” comes out.
The opposite key factor is that the animated “Predator: Killer of Killers” added some loopy s*** to the lore, making it clear that almost something is feasible on this universe. If Xenomorphs exist in the identical galaxy because the Yautja, they’ve undoubtedly come throughout each other’s paths earlier than. We’ll have to attend and see how Trachtenberg decides to attach these dots.
“Predator: Badlands” hits theaters on November 7, 2025.
