Alien Vs Predator 3: Will It Ever Happen?

Requiem” in 2007, which was the last film dedicated to these two creatures meeting head-on.

Typically, Hollywood continues to produce sequels from popular franchises even after they’ve surpassed their prime, but it’s puzzling that the “Alien vs. Predator” series has fallen silent. One might expect “Alien vs. Predator 3” to have already graced our movie screens by now. There are several factors contributing to the delay of this third installment. The initial reception of the first two films in the series played a role, as did corporate politics and the varying successes of standalone “Alien” and “Predator” movies. As a result, fans of the “Alien vs. Predator” crossover have been left wanting more sequels. In an effort to shed light on this issue, we’ve delved into the reasons behind the absence of “Alien vs. Predator 3.

Why isn’t Alien vs. Predator 3 happening yet?

The primary challenge that “Alien vs. Predator 3” has encountered in getting produced is that enthusiasm for the concept waned rather swiftly after the second installment. Initially, back in 2004, “Alien vs. Predator,” even in a PG-13 rating, seemed like a genre movie enthusiast’s dream. It was indeed a financial success for 20th Century Fox: It earned £172 million on a budget of $70 million and became an extremely lucrative title for the studio, as reported by Deadline. The sequel also made a profit, earning $129 million from a lower budget of $40 million. However, the main issue was that most critics heavily criticized the films, particularly the sequel, which received a dismal 12% rating on Rotten Tomatoes.

Following the release of “Requiem,” the concept of “Alien vs. Predator” started losing its appeal due to various factors. Fox executives chose instead to focus on unexplored areas within both the “Alien” and “Predator” series. It’s also worth noting that by the late 2000s, the horror genre was leaning more towards low-budget and found footage films, which were gaining popularity. With doubts about a third film’s success, executives opted to produce individual installments instead, with varying levels of success.

2010’s “Predators” and 2018’s “The Predator” didn’t fare well domestically, but unlike 2012’s “Prometheus,” which set the record for highest-grossing “Alien” film, 2017’s “Alien: Covenant” was hindered by its large budget of $97 million. On the other hand, newer releases like 2022’s “Prey” and 2024’s “Alien: Romulus” have shown that splitting the “Alien” and “Predator” series was beneficial in the long run. At present, there’s a greater focus on developing each franchise separately rather than combining them for another “AVP” film.

What the Strause brothers have said about Alien vs. Predator 3

Prior to directing the 2010 movie “Skyline,” filmmakers Greg and Colin Strause (also known as The Brothers Strause), who are veterans in visual effects, took over the director’s chair from Paul W.S. Anderson for “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem.” Both the “Alien” and “Predator” series have a history of changing directors, with James Cameron taking over from Ridley Scott for the first “Alien” sequel, David Fincher directing “Alien 3,” Stephen Hopkins helming “Predator 2” instead of John McTiernan, and so on. Despite this pattern of single-film directors in both franchises, the Strause brothers had already developed concepts for “Alien vs. Predator 3” by the time “Requiem” was released in theaters, focusing particularly on exploring outer space.

During a pre-release interview for “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” in 2007, brothers Greg and Colin Strause shared their plans to revise an idea they had initially proposed for the first “AVP” movie. According to Colin (through AVP Galaxy), they had originally envisioned it as a space epic, similar to “Dances with Wolves” set in space, exploring the Alien’s home world and other intriguing elements. Although this idea was not realized in the first film, they expressed that it remains compelling and could potentially be revisited if the current movie performs well and discussions with Fox prove fruitful. Both brothers also suggested that future installments of the franchise should shift focus from Earth to space-based stories.

What could be explored in Alien vs. Predator 3

Romulus” which could potentially be addressed in another “Alien vs. Predator” film.

Earth” might influence the storyline for “Alien vs. Predator 3”. Given the vastness of the “Alien” and “Predator” universes, numerous possibilities exist. This could serve as an opportunity to further explore the “Predator” narrative while contributing to the “Alien” film series.

Who would star in Alien vs. Predator 3

Discussing the growth of both the “Alien” and “Predator” series, it’s clear that a potential third installment of “Alien vs. Predator” could benefit from utilizing previously introduced main characters instead of just those portrayed by Sigourney Weaver and Arnold Schwarzenegger in the ’80s. Characters like Amber Midthunder’s Naru from “Prey” and survivors Marie Raines “Rain” Carradine (Cailee Spaeny) and Andy (David Jonsson) from “Alien: Romulus” have gained significant audience affection, making them ideal candidates to spearhead “Alien vs. Predator 3.” The popularity of Midthunder’s character, Naru, skyrocketed after the 2022 release of “Prey,” and bringing her back for a big-screen appearance in “Alien vs. Predator 3” could significantly enhance its appeal. Similarly, the experienced characters played by Cailee Spaeny and David Jonsson from “Alien: Romulus” would also make suitable leads in “Alien vs. Predator 3.

It appears quite plausible that if a third installment of “Alien vs. Predator” is made, it might focus mainly or entirely on the newer, successful standalone “Alien” and “Predator” films’ younger actors. However, there’s always the possibility that characters from the original “Alien vs. Predator” movies could reappear in a third movie. For instance, Sanaa Lathan’s Alexa “Lex” Woods from the first film could make a comeback after many years since her initial encounter with these creatures. Additionally, Reiko Aylesworth’s Kelly O’Brien and Steven Pasquale’s Dallas Howard from “Alien vs. Predator: Requiem” might even return for brief appearances. There seems to be no dearth of potential stars for a third “Alien vs. Predator” film.

Who wouldn’t star in Alien vs. Predator 3

As a die-hard fan, I can confidently say that if “Alien vs. Predator 3” ever materializes, it’s highly improbable that we’d see Sigourney Weaver reprising her iconic role as Ellen Ripley. While the idea of Weaver returning to the franchise, much like Jamie Lee Curtis did with “Halloween,” has certainly sparked enthusiasm among fans, her previous statements about the “Alien vs. Predator” series suggest otherwise. In an interview with IGN (via AVP Galaxy), Weaver expressed her doubts about reappearing as Ripley in the crossover universe when the first film was still in production.

She playfully expressed her hope that Alien triumphs over Predator, as she doesn’t want to witness the Alien being defeated. In a humorous tone, she mentioned that her character Ripley’s dramatic death in “Alien 3”, where she jumped into a furnace to prevent Weyland-Yutani from capturing her alive and the unborn embryo, was intended to be final – both for Ripley as a character and for herself as an actress. She explained that her decision to leave the series stemmed from her disinterest in making a “videogame movie” after three well-received films, and she still feels this way today. Although her presence will continue to loom over these franchises, Sigourney Weaver has no plans to reprise her role for “Alien vs. Predator 3”.

What Alien: Romulus director Fede Álvarez has said about Alien vs. Predator 3

During an interview about his movie “Alien: Romulus,” director Fede Álvarez was questioned regarding the potential of “Alien vs. Predator 3.” Interestingly, the director of “Don’t Breathe” shared that he had a unique idea for how a third installment in this crossover series could be executed. In particular, Álvarez expressed enthusiasm about the prospect of him and Dan Trachtenberg, the director of “Prey,” each directing separate halves of the film. He suggested that they might need to collaborate on co-directing the movie, similar to how Quentin Tarantino and Robert Rodriguez worked together on “From Dusk till Dawn.” In this scenario, Álvarez would direct one half, while Trachtenberg handles the other half.

Despite Trachtenberg being rather secretive about the future development of the “Alien vs. Predator” franchise, it might be due to his busy schedule managing various “Predator” projects at 20th Century Studios. However, in an interview with The Hollywood Reporter in 2024, Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, hinted that we could anticipate another “Alien vs. Predator” film in the future. He clarified that if it does happen, it won’t follow the traditional format as the original films; instead, it would be a natural progression of both franchises, featuring beloved characters who might interact, though he cautioned that this is not yet definitive. Furthermore, Asbell emphasized that they are not in a rush to produce another film without careful planning and organic development.

How Alien vs. Predator 3 has been teased

During the 2010s, hints about a potential third installment of “Alien vs. Predator” were limited to only one film. Ridley Scott re-entered the “Alien” series with “Prometheus” in 2012 and “Alien: Covenant” in 2017, movies that steered clear of cross-franchise shenanigans. However, “The Predator,” released in 2018, did include a wink towards an “Alien vs. Predator” encounter. In one scene, various Predator artifacts are displayed, among which is a weapon from the 2004 film “Alien vs. Predator.” After “Predators” in 2010 focused solely on the “Predator” mythos, this subtle reference in “The Predator” confirmed that Xenomorphs still existed within this fictional universe. Notably, “The Predator” initially planned to end with a much more direct allusion to “Alien,” but ultimately chose a subtler approach.

Alternate versions of the movie’s finale for “The Predator” were filmed, including two that connected to the “Alien” series. In one scenario, the opening pod revealed Ellen Ripley wearing a facehugger-like mask, played by stuntwoman Breanna Watkins who was identified by her name badge. This information comes from special effects artist Yuri Everson, responsible for creating practical props. A third ending depicted an adult Newt, a popular “Alien” character, emerging from the pod as the Predator’s legendary foe.

Disney’s acquisition of Fox was likely a setback for Alien vs. Predator 3

The possibility of “Alien vs. Predator 3” was quite slim when it was announced in 2017 that Twenty-First Century Fox, Inc. was being acquired by The Walt Disney Company. This acquisition brought about significant changes for 20th Century Fox, the studio where both the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises resided. Essentially, one of Hollywood’s biggest studios was relocating, causing a pause in all operations. Many planned Fox movies were eventually scrapped as Disney executives sought to rebrand the studio (later known as 20th Century Studios) and its projects according to their vision.

It wasn’t the case that an “Alien vs. Predator 3” was about to commence filming, but the Disney/Fox merger significantly disrupted any plans for this franchise in the late 2010s. The corporate transaction effectively put a halt to numerous major projects, such as a standalone “Gambit” movie starring Channing Tatum, which never came to fruition. Even if an exceptional idea for “Alien vs. Predator 3” surfaced around that time, it’s questionable whether it would have ever materialized due to Fox transitioning into a different studio post-merger.

An Alien vs. Predator anime sequel series was made but never released

An unproduced anime titled “Aliens vs. Predator: Annihilation” was once in the works, directed by Shinji Aramaki (“Blade Runner: Black Lotus”). This 10-episode project from the mid-2010s never came out despite being made. In a 2023 interview with “Perfect Organism: An Alien Saga Podcast,” Joshua Izzo, former director of licensing at 20th Century Fox, shared details about it. He mentioned that one Predator was a cyborg with a fully cybernetic arm and jaw, while another was called Bone because its weapons were made from giant tusks.

It seems that “Alien vs. Predator: Annihilation” was never released because, in the mid-2010s, Fox had numerous projects involving the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises in development, such as the movies “Alien: Covenant” and “The Predator.” Although distribution for this anime was reportedly set, Fox decided not to release it at that time so as not to compete with these new standalone films. Consequently, “Aliens vs. Predator: Annihilation” was put on hold. The cancellation of this project provides an explanation for why a theatrical “Alien vs. Predator 3” movie hasn’t been made yet: Even a finished anime adaptation couldn’t avoid the unfortunate outcomes that have affected this series for many years.

Why the Predator: Badlands teaser makes Alien vs. Predator 3 more likely than ever

Following numerous disappointments and baseless speculations over the years, “Alien vs. Predator” enthusiasts have finally got something worth getting thrilled about with the unveiling of the teaser trailer for “Predator: Badlands.” The majority of this trailer centers around the film’s Predator protagonist, yet it also showcases a good amount of footage featuring human lead Thia (played by Elle Fanning). In the heart of the “Badlands” trailer, it’s disclosed that she isn’t an ordinary robot. She’s a Weyland-Yutani android, as suggested by the company’s iconic logo appearing on her eyes as they roll back. Director Dan Trachtenberg has not provided any additional details about this Easter egg or how the “Alien” storyline could further intertwine with that of “Badlands.” Nevertheless, the clear linkage between the “Alien” and “Predator” franchises (highlighted in an eye-catching scene within the “Badlands” teaser trailer) has undeniably piqued the interest of countless “Alien vs. Predator” fans.

Discussions started swirling about possible collaborations between the two series within “Badlands.” Remarks made by Fede Álvarez in 2024 regarding his plans for “Alien vs. Predator 3,” involving himself and “Badlands” director Trachtenberg, gained more credibility with this hint. The teaser for “Badlands” is intriguing in many ways, particularly suggesting a fresh take unlike anything seen in Trachtenberg’s “Prey” or any other “Predator” sequel. However, the teaser rekindling hopes for “Alien vs. Predator 3” might be the most exciting part. Although no official word on a third film has been given yet, this significant hint—in conjunction with Steve Asbell, head of 20th Century Studios, telling The Hollywood Reporter that another “Alien vs. Predator” movie is likely—brings us closer to a third “AVP” movie than ever before.

2025-04-28 19:01