The Predator franchise will release two films in 2025, and while Predator Badlands has already been discussed for its connections to the Alien franchise, new details suggest that the other movie will also share some overlap. Considering the current state of the Predator movies following the release of Prey, now may be a good time to explore that connection further. With Dan Trachtenberg taking the reins on the franchise, it’s worth examining some stories in greater detail.
While a new Alien Vs. Predator 3 has been rumored for some time, the previous films in the crossover series were not beloved. Still, with the revitalizing of both franchises due to the success of Fede Alvarez’s Alien: Romulus and Trachtenberg’s Prey, there has been more discussion of a new Alien vs. Predator than ever before. With a sharp eye for what makes each franchise work, including the complex timelines for both Predator and Alien, combining their stories seems to be important to the Fox franchise moving forward. A new tease in a new trailer helps to show this further.
Predator’s Blooding Ritual Explained
This Ritual Usually Involves The Killing Of A Xenomorph
The Yautja Blooding Ritual is an interesting part of the franchise’s story. The Yautja, or the Predators, become fully blooded in their culture. This is done with an expedition that is usually to hunt down a Xenomorph, known as Kiande Amedha in their own language. This ritual is in line with how important hunting is to this species and was examined in part during the events of the previous Alien vs. Predator films. It has also been explored more extensively in the best Predator comics that provide additional lore.
The concept of Aliens vs. Predator was first proposed in a Dark Horse comic book from 1989 that combined the two franchises, followed by the brief appearance of a Xenomorph skull in 1990’s Predator 2. Subsequent comics, novels, and video games followed before Alien vs. Predator finally became a movie in 2004.
There have been different kinds of Xenomorphs in the Alien franchise over the years, but the creatures are generally regarded as among the most powerful and terrifying killing machines in the universe. To hunt them down, the Yautja are not able to wear acid-proof armor, and it is conceded that many who pursue this Blooding Ritual are killed. Only the genuinely strongest Predators can make it through this task and overcome it, becoming fully blooded in their culture. This rule for Predator culture is compelling and may help in explaining connections to the larger franchise.
Predator: Killer Of Killers Looks Like It Has One Yautja That’s Killed A Lot Of Xenomorphs
The New Animated Hulu Film Teases Connections To The Alien Franchise
The first trailer for Predator: Killer of Killers was released recently and gave a look at the animated movie and its depiction of different periods. After the trailer was released, one eagle-eyed Reddit user, BeetlBozz, noticed something important in the background of one scene, sharing, “Is that a f***ing yautja elder with xenomorph parts on his back at the end????” While this has not been confirmed by the studio, the image does appear to be drawing a connection with the larger Alien franchise.
It makes sense that different ᴀssociations to the Alien franchise are being explored in these new films. If the Blooding Ritual is still an important part of Predator lore, then there would be many successful Yautja of different kinds and looks who had killed Xenomorphs in the past. Having trophies of these hunts available in their ships would follow logically from this. However, perhaps even more importantly, all of these point toward the rumored trajectory for the franchise and the plans Disney might have for its future.
2025’s Two Predator Movies Make Another Alien Vs. Predator More Likely
The Trailer For Predator: Badlands Shows Another Connection To The Alien Franchise
The trailer for Predator: Badlands was also recently released and provided the first look at the new film from Trachtenberg, which featured another surprising connection to the Alien franchise. In the trailer, Elle Fanning’s surprise character is seen with her eyes glossed over with a Weyland-Yutani symbol, the corporation from the Alien films. This has led to speculation that she could be an android. Still, the most important detail this makes clear is that this film is set in the same universe as the Alien stories.
An Alien Vs. Predator sequel has been teased since the success of Alien: Romulus last year. Alvarez talked about how if another Alien vs Predator film was made, it would need to be a collaboration between him and Trachtenberg. As the two new minds behind their franchises have found great individual success, it seems that a crossover is a distinct possibility and is certainly desired by the studio. However, the creatives will have to find a natural way to make it work that will strengthen both properties.
It is very exciting that Predator has become a must-see franchise once again, and hopefully, Predator: Killer of Killers will be able to build on the success of Prey and deliver a satisfying experience. With bold and beautiful action and exciting connections to the larger universe, the new film promises to be an essential watch when it is released in June. How important the film will be to the future of the Alien vs. Predator franchise remains to be seen, but even hints like the trailer has shown can go a long way to solidifying those connections.
