Predator and Alien are set to have a crossover moment in the upcoming Predator: Badlands movie, but could there also be a Xenomorph link in Predator: Killer of Killers? Fans think so.
Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology that’s coming out in June. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (director of Prey and the upcoming Predator: Badlands), Predator: Killer of Killers will be released on June 6, 2025, exclusively on Hulu.
According to 20th Century Studios, the film follows three “of the fiercest warriors in human history: a Viking raider guiding her young son on a bloody quest for revenge, a ninja in feudal Japan who turns against his Samurai brother in a brutal battle for succession, and a WWII pilot who takes to the sky to investigate an otherworldly threat to the Allied cause.” Of course, all three have to face a Predator.
Warning! Potential spoilers for Predator: Killer of Killers follow.
At the end of the latest trailer for the show we see what looks like a Yautja (the Predator alien species) elder wearing Xenomorph parts on its back. The shape and sharpness does make you think Alien as this Yautja walks off their ship, presumably to congratulate a human on surviving a battle with one of their kin (the shot follows one of the characters wondering what happens if they survive). For me, it very much looks like this Predator is wearing Xenomorph tails as a trophy cape, which is one of the most badass things I’ve seen a Predator do. Clearly, this Yautja has seen things.
Now, this may not be a cape of Xeno tails. It may be inspired by Xeno tails, or something else entirely. But the prominence of the shot at the end of the trailer says to me that Trachtenberg wants fans to speculate about this potential Alien link, and given what’s gone before in past Predator: Badlands trailers, you can see why.
Predator: Badlands features a character played by Elle Fanning, who as IGN has discussed very much looks like a synth from the Alien franchise. Trachtenberg has remained tight-lipped on those Alien connections and Fanning’s character’s nature, but clearly the people in charge of both franchises are keen to cross the streams.
Predator: Badlands launches on November 7, 2025, but before that, perhaps Predator: Killer of Killers will reveal more.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
