Wait, is the new ‘Predator’ movie a secret ‘Alien’ sequel too?

Another Predator movie is finally on the way and the trailer has dropped a few hints that suggest we could be seeing some crossover with the Alien franchise once again.

Predator: Badlands is set to take the series in an entirely new direction. It will be the seventh movie in the main franchise (a sixth, animated movie is set to release later this year) although it’s the ninth if you count the two Alien vs Predator movies.

And perhaps we should be counting the AVP films considering this latest entry in the Predator series could potentially be making those two movies canon.

Is Predator: Badlands a secret Alien sequel?

Fans have noticed a few details in the new trailer which dropped yesterday afternoon. The main talking point was the sneaky references to the Weyland-Yutani corporation. The dystopian corporation is the main antagonist of the Alien series, I mean, I guess the Xenomorph is technically the main antagonist, but come on, we all know these guys are the real baddies.

Anyways, the Weyland-Yutani logo was spotted a couple of times throughout the trailer. The “W” symbol can be seen on the shoulder of Elle Fanning’s character as well as in her eyes at one point. This indicates that she may be an android, something which has been a staple of the Alien series since the very first movie. The “W” in the eyes was also seen in Andy the android from Alien: Romulus.

This indicates a clear connection between the two franchises. If the Weyland-Yutani corporation now exists within the Predator universe then it follows that the Xenomorph also likely exists too.

Of course, we’ve seen these two titans clash on the big screen before. Alien vs Predator and its sequel weren’t exactly popular with critics or audiences but there’s sort of a cult following for those films. The concept has a lot of potential and now that Disney own the rights to both franchises it’s definitely possible the company would try and revive AVP.

What will Predator: Badlands be about?

Aside from Fanning’s Weyland android character there isn’t a whole lot to go off when it comes to the film’s relation to Alien. We know the film will focus on a young predator who was cast out of his clan. In a surprise twist it turns out the predator will be the protagonist this time and will team up with Fanning’s character.

It’s unclear how this Alien/Predator connection will work in the greater lore of both IPs. While the original AVP films did give viewers some in depth backstory on the origin of the xenomorph, subsequent Alien films have completely re-written it. Will this film work with the old AVP lore, or the lore from films like Prometheus and Alien: Covenant? Or perhaps it will give fans something entirely new and original. Who knows? Maybe it will be a musical.