Summary
The first trailer forPredator: Badlandsteases the upcoming sci-fi film, but subtle details may have larger implications for the franchise’s future, with hints pointing toward another potentialAlien vs. Predatorfilm. The forthcomingPredatormovie seesPreydirector Dan Trachtenberg returning to the series, following his well-received installment, which many consider the best since the original starring Arnold Schwarzenegger. The director has calledPredator: Badlandsa"big, crazy swing"(viaBloody Disgusting), and the trailer shows he may be right in more ways than one.
Predator: Badlandsis set to feature the franchise’s first Yautja protagonist, Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Elle Fanning costars as Thia, who was initially thought to be a human character, but has since been revealed as an android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. The film will see the two teaming up on a “Death Planet” called Kalisk, where they attempt to combat something that “can’t be killed,” as described by the characters. However, withPredator: Badlandsfeaturing Weyland-Yutani imagery, it may be hinting at the nextAlien vs. Predatormovie.
An Intergalactic Rivalry: The Alien vs. Predator Films Explained
TheAlienandPredatorfranchises have been crossing over for longer than moviegoers may be aware, beginning with comics in 1989. However, it was 1990’sPredator 2that featured a Xenomorph skull in a Predator trophy case, which was the first tease in a film. The alien creatures would continue to battle each other in comics and even video games, starting with the 1993Super Nintendo gameAlien vs. Predator. Still, their first bout on the big screen wouldn’t occur until 2004.
Mortal KombatandResident Evildirector Paul W.S. Anderson brought the firstAlien vs. Predatorfilm to life. The movie tells the story of an ancient pyramid buried under ice, where human archaeologists are caught between Yautja warriors seeking to prove themselves and their Xenomorph prey that begins to multiply.Alien vs. Predatoralso marked the first time the Weyland-Yutani Corporation from theAlienfranchise appeared in aPredator-related film.
A sequel followed in 2007 withAlien vs. Predator: Requiem, which was even less well-received than the critically panned first entry, squandering a story that introduced a Xenomorph born from a Yautja host, dubbed a Predalien. TheAlien vs. Predatorbranding continued in video games, butAlien vs. Predator:Requiemeffectively endedthe film series, with no further crossover releases. However, that may all be about to change withPredator: Badlands.
What Is the Weyland-Yutani Corporation?
The Weyland-Yutani Corporation is a megacorporation from theAlienfranchise, also known as “The Company.” Its fictional run goes back to the 1979 Ridley Scott-directed classicAlien, with a lore that involves the merger of the British Weyland company and the Japanese Yutani corporation. Weyland-Yutani would continue to be mentioned throughout the film series. Lance Henriksen plays Charles Bishop Weyland inAlien vs Predator, a member of the company’s pre-merger Weyland family, and Guy Pearce plays Peter Weyland, a later CEO, inPrometheus. The films would feature other Weyland-Yutani employees, like Paul Reiser’s Carter Burke inAliens. Still, their most recognizable contribution to the series is their androids, such as Thia inPredator: Badlands, as shown in the trailer.
Throughout theAlienfranchise, there have been notable Weyland-Yutani androids. Henriksen played the iconic Bishop, Michael Fassbender played David, and Ian Holm portrayed Ash, with his likeness making an appearance inthe recentAlien: Romulus. Androids in theAlienuniverse have often been seen as problematic by many characters, while being loved by corporate leaders who are keen on following through with callous orders. However, the Weyland-Yutani androids are purely from theAlienfranchise, making their prominent appearance in thePredator: Badlandstrailer carry real weight and implications toward the film’s scope and world-building.
Dan Trachtenberg May Be Laying The Groundwork For Future Alien vs. Predator Films
The Weyland-Yutani symbol appears several times throughout thePredator: Badlandstrailer. It is casually seen on the door of a destroyed truck, tucked away in the background, with a more prominent view in Thia’s eye, confirming she is an android. This sets the film up as aPredator teaming up with an androidfrom theAlienmovies. This means that even if Xenomorphs aren’t present, it still has the two franchises crossing over.
With Dek facing a threat that he needs help taking down, it’s possible thatPredator: Badlandsis already anAlien vs. Predatorfilm in disguise. Marvel has more than once duped audiences by digitally altering scenes in trailers, which ultimately hold much more when seen in the finished movie. Yhe forthcomingPredatorfilm could be doing the same, with a Xenomorph threat being digitally removed to keep the reveal a secret. There is also a hissing sound towards the trailer’s finale that may be teasing the sound of a Xenomorph.
BothPredatorandAlienhave projects in the works. This year sees the release ofPredator: Killer of KillersandPredator: Badlands, with theAlien: EarthTV series set to debut. A follow-up toAlien: Romulusis also being developed, which means the future is bright for both franchises. With Disney owning the rights to both franchises, the numerous planned releases, and hints toward larger plans, it’s clear they are laying the groundwork for projects to crossover between the classic sci-fi extraterrestrials. Audiences may seeanAlien vs. Predatorfilmsooner than they think, withPredator: Badlandssetting the stage and likely hiding even more reveals for its release later this year.
