Get ready for a cinematic showdown that’s bound to shake the sci-fi world: the Predator and Alien universes are colliding once again, but this time, it’s not your typical ‘versus’ battle. Dan Trachtenberg, the mastermind behind Predator: Badlands, has subtly woven the Alien franchise into his latest installment, and fans are buzzing with excitement. But here’s where it gets controversial: is this crossover a genius fusion of two iconic worlds, or a risky move that could dilute the essence of both franchises? Let’s dive in.
At the star-studded premiere of Predator: Badlands on Monday, Trachtenberg, a 2x Emmy-nominated writer and director, revealed how he’s blending these universes in a way that feels fresh and intentional. Unlike the 2004 Alien vs. Predator and its 2007 sequel Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem, which pitted the two franchises in direct combat, Badlands takes a more nuanced approach. ‘We’ve included the Weyland-Yutani corporation as a major player,’ Trachtenberg explained on the red carpet at the TCL Chinese Theatre. ‘Elle Fanning plays a Weyland-Yutani synth, seamlessly integrating Alien elements into the Predator world.’
This isn’t just a mashup of action figures, as Trachtenberg puts it. Instead, it’s a thoughtful integration of key components from one franchise into another. In Badlands, a young Predator named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) is exiled from the Yautja clan and must team up with a damaged synth, Thia (Fanning), to prove his worth against a formidable foe. This dynamic shifts the focus away from human protagonists, a deliberate choice to keep the audience’s allegiance firmly with Dek.
Producer Ben Rosenblatt described the decision to include Alien elements as ‘super organic,’ citing the ‘spiritual connection’ between the two franchises. ‘We didn’t want a human character because the audience would instantly side with them,’ Rosenblatt explained. ‘Dan wanted humanoid characters without humans, and that’s where the idea of robots came in. Naturally, we thought, who makes robots? Weyland-Yutani.’ And just like that, the crossover felt inevitable.
But here’s the part most people miss: this isn’t just about fan service. It’s about expanding the mythology of both franchises in a way that feels authentic. And this is where it gets even more intriguing: Arnold Schwarzenegger, the iconic Dutch from the original Predator (1987), has been in talks with Trachtenberg about a potential return. After making an animated cameo in Predator: Killer of Killers earlier this year, Schwarzenegger’s involvement in a future sequel could be the ‘holy grail’ of Predator movies, as Rosenblatt puts it.
‘Arnold and Dan have met multiple times, and he’s genuinely interested in what we’re doing,’ Rosenblatt shared. ‘He’s a fan of our work so far, and we’re hopeful that after Badlands hits theaters on November 7, we can continue those conversations. Having Arnold back would be absolutely incredible.’
So, here’s the burning question: Is this crossover a bold step forward, or a risky gamble? And what about Arnold’s potential return—could it redefine the franchise, or is it a nostalgia play that might fall flat? Let us know your thoughts in the comments. One thing’s for sure: Predator: Badlands is setting the stage for a sci-fi showdown like no other, and we can’t wait to see how it unfolds.
