Predator: Badlands Director shuts down xenomorph rumors

Predator: Badlands is not a secret Alien vs. Predator film—and fans hoping for a surprise Xenomorph appearance are in for disappointment. Director Dan Trachtenberg has made it clear: “There’s no Xenomorph in this movie.”

Speaking to Empire, Trachtenberg addressed growing speculation due to Badlands' heavy use of Alien franchise elements, most notably the presence of the sinister Weyland-Yutani Corporation. In the film, Elle Fanning’s character Thia is a synth created by the company’s bio-weapons division. The trailer hints at Weyland-Yutani’s involvement on the hostile alien world of Kalisk, where the story unfolds.

Further fueling fan theories, the trailer ends with a clear nod to Aliens—a massive mech appears, reminiscent of Ripley’s iconic Power Loader. Thia teases its arrival with the line: “We might not be alone in this hunt,” sparking questions about who’s piloting the mech and what monstrous creature it’s meant to fight.

Still, Trachtenberg insists Badlands isn’t a crossover event. “We’re not involving [the Alien universe] just to smush the action figures together,” he said. “There are great, organic story reasons for Weyland-Yutani to be in this film.”

Instead, the spotlight is on a new kind of Predator: Dek, a young Yautja “runt” seeking to prove himself. Unlike past entries where Predators are fearsome antagonists, Badlands positions Dek as the underdog protagonist, battling for honor and recognition on a deadly alien planet.

While there’s no Xenomorph this time, Predator: Badlands still offers fresh takes and deep lore connections. And with Alien: Earth reaching its explosive finale soon, it’s a great time to be a fan of both franchises—even if they remain separate for now.