The latest trailer for Predator: Badlands has left fans buzzing with theories, many of which involve a surprising twist: could this be a Predator vs. Alien movie in disguise?
In the trailer, we see Elle Fanning‘s character, Thia, an android from Weyland-Yutani’s bio-weapons division, joining forces with a young Predator outcast named Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Weyland-Yutani’s presence immediately raises suspicions. The company is, of course, a key player in the Alien franchise, known for creating the Xenomorphs, and it’s strange to see them involved in a Predator movie.
The most intriguing line in the trailer occurs when Thia tells Dek, “You’re the prey here,” and warns him that he’s hunting a creature that “can’t be killed” and is “the definitive apex predator.” At first, it seems like a reference to a massive, unknown monster that could be the movie’s antagonist. But the real question is, is Thia actually talking about a Xenomorph-possibly even a Queen?
Fans quickly jumped on the theory that the true apex predator might not be the giant creature shown in the trailer, but a Xenomorph lurking in the background. A Reddit user, MakaylaAzula, theorized, “Weyland is involved for a reason-this could be a misdirection. They’re showing us this big monster to trick us into thinking it’s the main villain.”
Adding to the intrigue, the final shot of the trailer shows a mech-possibly a Weyland-Yutani Power Loader-entering the scene to face the giant beast. Thia teases this moment with the ominous line, “We might not be alone in this hunt.” Who else could she be referring to? Could a Xenomorph be on its way?
As theories continue to swirl, many are wondering if a surprise Xenomorph appearance at the end of Predator: Badlands could lead to an epic final showdown. The possibility of other Predators flying in to assist Dek and Thia only adds fuel to the speculation. It could even set the stage for a future AVP (Alien vs. Predator) movie that brings these two iconic franchises together once more.
There’s also the upcoming FX TV series, Alien: Earth, which has some fans thinking a Predator might appear to save the day. Some even claim they can hear the distinct Predator clicking sound in one of the trailers for the series. Could this be a hint at a future crossover?
Director Fede Alvarez, who worked on Alien: Romulus, has also shared his thoughts on how an AVP movie should unfold. Speaking to Collider, he revealed his vision for introducing a crossover, saying, “The best AVP will be the one you don’t know is an AVP movie until it’s too late. You think you’re watching a Predator movie, and then suddenly… a Xenomorph appears. That would blow your mind!”
The concept of a hidden AVP twist is intriguing. Alvarez believes that the surprise factor is key: if you know what you’re watching, it ruins the experience. His ideal scenario? Fans watch a Predator movie, only for a Xenomorph to show up unexpectedly, or vice versa, with a Predator making a surprise appearance in an Alien film.
With all these theories swirling, Predator: Badlands is shaping up to be more than just a typical Predator film. Whether or not a Xenomorph makes an appearance, fans are eagerly awaiting the movie’s release this November.