Trachtenberg Confirms No Xenomorphs in Predator: Badlands — But AVP Hints Remain

by

Disappointed fans shouldn’t expect to see the iconic Xenomorphs in the new *Predator: Badlands* film, according to director Dan Trachtenberg. It won’t be an *Aliens vs. Predator* crossover.

Even though the show includes visual clues and establishes a link to the Weyland-Yutani corporation through the android character Thia (played by Elle Fanning), director Peter Trachtenberg has confirmed to Empire that *Badlands* isn’t a story that combines the *Alien* and *Predator* franchises.

He explained that this movie doesn’t feature the Xenomorph creature. However, he believes this actually enhances the story. They didn’t include elements from the ‘Alien’ franchise simply for the sake of combining characters or for marketing. Instead, there are genuine, well-developed reasons within the plot for the Weyland-Yutani corporation to be involved.

A Crossover in Slow Motion

I’ve been following what director Fede Álvarez has been saying, and it sounds like he’s being really careful with how much he connects his new film to the *Alien* universe. He’s called it a ‘toe-dip,’ which I think is a smart way to put it. He doesn’t want to just shoehorn everything together; he’s building up the backstory and world so that if they *do* want to explore bigger crossovers down the line, they have a solid foundation to work from. It’s a really thoughtful approach, and I appreciate that he’s not rushing into anything.

The fact that Weyland-Yutani is involved has sparked a lot of speculation about the Alien vs. Predator universe, and it makes sense considering everything else we’ve learned.

Fanning’s character, Thia, is a damaged synthetic stranded on the alien world of Genna.

People are saying she seems damaged, but also that she’s learning and developing in ways that go beyond what she was originally designed to do. This suggests she’s changing and growing, similar to characters like Ash and David in the *Alien* prequels.

A quick shot in the trailer reveals a Weyland-Yutani interface in Thia’s eye, connecting her to the powerful and dangerous corporation that originally hunted the Xenomorph in the first *Alien* movie.

According to Fanning, Thia has been experiencing a lot while on Genna, witnessing things that are outside of the norm. Because she’s also damaged, she’s evolved into someone quite distinct from the other synths.

Still Building Toward AVP?

Don’t expect any terrifying creatures like those from the *Alien* films in *Badlands*, but the excitement around *Alien vs. Predator* isn’t over. It’s simply evolving into a bigger, ongoing project. As we previously covered, sources suggest Disney is secretly planning a shared universe based on *Alien vs. Predator*, potentially through projects like:

  • Predator: Badlands (Nov. 7 release)
  • FX’s Alien: Earth, which features five unknown alien species
  • The animated Predator: Beast of Beasts series
  • Alien: Romulus and its planned sequel

Even the director of the *Romulus* film, Fede Álvarez, has suggested a surprise crossover between the two franchises, where the stories would unexpectedly merge without being advertised as an *Alien vs. Predator* event.

Álvarez described the experience as initially feeling like you’re watching a ‘Predator’ film, but then being completely surprised to realize it’s actually an ‘Alien’ – a ‘Xenomorph’ – instead.

Not AVP Yet — But Getting Closer

Although *Predator: Badlands* doesn’t feature a battle between Predators and Aliens, it’s the closest connection between the two series we’ve seen in a long time. The story, the involvement of the Weyland-Yutani corporation, and references to past events all hint that *Badlands* is setting the stage for a larger crossover in the future.

Read More

2025-09-24 18:32