Now Is The Right Time For Alien vs Predator to Return

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Summary

  • Recent successes in Alien and Predator franchises indicate it’s the right time for a crossover.
  • The Predator franchise was revived with 2022’s Prey and has two upcoming sequels.
  • The Alien franchise saw success with 2024’s Alien: Romulus, and will receive a new TV show in 2025.

As a long-time fan of both the Alien and Predator franchises, I must say that this recent surge of success for both series has my heart racing with excitement. The thought of these two iconic universes colliding again is like a dream come true for me, a child of the 80’s who spent countless hours watching Ridley Scott and James Cameron’s masterpieces on VHS.

Two legendary figures from the realm of horror are the Xenomorph and the Predator. Combining these two terrifying creatures on the big screen seems like a perfect union, but past efforts to meld the Alien and Predator film series have failed to impress. However, with recent triumphs in both franchises, it appears that now might be the ideal moment for another attempt at Alien vs Predator.

The Alien series, initiated by Ridley Scott in 1979, has produced seven main movies so far, with the Xenomorph – a terrifying alien parasite undergoing various stages of evolution – being one of its iconic creations. In 1987, before Scott’s Alien, another fearsome extraterrestrial creature made its mark in Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Predator film. This creature belonged to an aggressive alien species called the Yautja, who hunted humans for sport. The two series intersected in 2004’s Alien vs. Predator and again in 2007’s Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, but both films received low scores from critics (21% and 12% on Rotten Tomatoes respectively). However, given the current circumstances, it seems like an ideal moment for these franchises to collaborate once more.

The Predator Films Were Revived With Prey

After numerous attempts to revive the Predator series since its first two movies, such as the 2010 film “Predators” and 2018’s “The Predator”, it wasn’t until the release of “Prey” in 2022 that true success was achieved. This streaming-only debut placed the Predator in the 1700s, where it hunted a band of Comanche warriors. A young woman from this tribe emerged as a formidable opponent, determined to outmatch the Predator. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, “Prey” was the most-watched premiere on Hulu in the U.S. and on Star in other countries. Additionally, it received a remarkable 94% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, making it the highest-rated film in the franchise so far.

As a die-hard fan, I can’t hide my excitement as the success of Prey has paved the way for several new Predator sequels! Among them is Predator Badlands, the upcoming live-action film in our beloved franchise, slated for release in 2025. Unlike Prey, it won’t be a direct continuation, but it’s still under the skilled direction of Trachtenberg, with Elle Fanning taking on the lead role. Interestingly, this time around, the Predator itself will take center stage as a protagonist, offering fresh perspectives into the intriguing alien species.

Alien Romulus Was A Big Success

From an perspective, the sci-fi series Alien has experienced a significant resurgence due to Fede Alvarez’s 2024 film titled Alien Romulus. This movie served as a sort of comeback for the Alien franchise following Ridley Scott’s prequel films Prometheus and Alien: Covenant. Set just after the original Alien storyline, Alien: Romulus follows a fresh set of characters as they explore an abandoned research facility and discover a nest of Xenomorph activity. In numerous aspects, this film returned to its roots, utilizing practical makeup and effects, and the chilling horror of a creature feature confined within limited spaces. Alien: Romulus ultimately raked in $350 million at the box office and received an 80% rating on Rotten Tomatoes, second only to the original Alien and Aliens.

Discussions for a follow-up to the hit series “Romulus” are underway, featuring the return of Alvarez and several recurring characters. The “Alien” universe will additionally grow next year with “Alien: Earth,” a prequel produced by Noah Hawley from FX. This new installment, titled “Alien: Earth,” is set two years prior to the original, delving into the events when Xenomorphs invade Earth, humanity’s home planet.

It’s Time For The Two Franchises To Crossover Again

Over the past few years, it’s become clear that both the Alien and Predator series are thriving. Their recent installments have done well, and there’s exciting new content in store for each franchise. Given this momentum, now could be the ideal moment to explore a collaboration between these two popular franchises.

20th Century Studios executive Steve Asbell recently hinted to The Hollywood Reporter about potential crossovers between the iconic franchises “Alien” and “Predator.” While Asbell suggested it’s likely, he clarified that it won’t simply be a straight-forward clash as in the original films. Instead, any collaboration would organically emerge from the ongoing narratives of both series, featuring familiar characters who we care about deeply. For now, they haven’t yet reached a stage where such a project is in motion.

We’re considering a new approach for these Alien and Predator series, moving beyond simple titles like “Alien vs. Predator” or similar to the original films. Instead, our aim is to grow these universes naturally, using beloved characters from each franchise. If things progress as planned, these characters might interact or even combine, though this isn’t set in stone yet. For now, we’re not rushing into anything. We want to approach this carefully and thoughtfully.

As a devoted fan, I’ve always been intrigued by the standalone nature of the “Alien vs Predator” films, distinct from their individual franchise narratives. Asbell’s proposed concept, where each series develops fresh characters and mythology, seems captivating to me. Having a solid foundation in the characters and worlds of these franchises would significantly enhance “Alien vs. Predator”, potentially helping a reboot steer clear of past pitfalls. With both the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises currently experiencing high critical and commercial acclaim, I believe now is the perfect moment to capitalize on this interest by bringing these iconic universes together in an exciting crossover event.

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2024-12-22 22:08