While the Marvel Cinematic Universe is undoubtedly Disney's most popular comic book adaptation franchise, the comic book property Disney should truly reboot is one that previously failed. Studios are clearly reluctant to revive IPs that have encountered failure, but although Alien vs. Predator has already seen two unsuccessful film attempts, a third might finally turn things around.
As early as 1989, Dark Horse Comics launched the Alien vs. Predator comic series, combining the Alien and Predator franchises. Since its initial release, the comics have been published intermittently, and since 2021, they have been published by Marvel Comics. However, compared to the comics, Alien vs. Predator is better known for its two attempts on the big screen, both of which were disastrous failures.
Now is the perfect time to reboot Alien vs. Predator
In 2004, both the Alien and Predator franchises were at their lowest points. Alien had just suffered the critical failure of Alien Resurrection, while Predator hadn't released a new film since Predator 2 in 1990. At the time, crossover showdown movies like Freddy vs. Jason (2003) were all the rage. Instead of seeking more creative directions for the two franchises, 20th Century Fox decided to release Alien vs. Predator.
The film ultimately grossed $177 million worldwide against a production budget of only $70 million. Despite poor reviews, its commercial performance was decent enough for the studio to greenlight a sequel. Alien vs. Predator: Requiem, released in 2007, performed even worse both at the box office and critically. Since then, the film series has seen no new entries.
Since then, both franchises spent years gradually shaking off the negative impact of the Alien vs. Predator films. Prometheus and its successors steered the Alien series in a new direction, regaining critical acclaim; meanwhile, Predator evolved into an anthology-style series with different stories and settings through films like The Predator and Prey.
Today, both Alien and Predator are experiencing their best periods in decades. Alien: Romulus brings the franchise back to its original horror roots, while Dan Trachtenberg's Prey, along with Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands, has revitalized the Predator series.
Interestingly, recent films have begun to hint that Alien and Predator actually exist within the same shared universe. Predator: Badlands features the fictional Weyland-Yutani corporation from the Alien franchise, with Elle Fanning playing an android; meanwhile, in Predator: Killer of Killers, the armor worn by the King of Grendel is composed of body parts from Xenomorph creatures.
Clearly, Trachtenberg intends to further expand the concept of a shared universe between the two franchises, and audiences seem eager to see more content. With both series currently enjoying promising prospects and talented creators involved, now is undoubtedly the best time to reboot Alien vs. Predator after having regained their footing.
Rather than letting Alien vs. Predator appear as a cheap crossover between two struggling franchises, the modern version could be crafted as an epic联动 event years in the making. Predator: Badlands has already proven that featuring the Predator as the protagonist can be successful, a concept that could easily carry over into future crossover films.
Furthermore, the Predator series has recently been experimenting with placing Predators in various different environments, exploring their hunting stories across diverse backgrounds. Setting the stage in space for a life-or-death chase between Predator and Alien clearly aligns well with this direction.
The franchise's biggest obstacle is its damaged brand image
The two Alien vs. Predator films are among the worst-reviewed entries in their respective franchises. Therefore, reviving this IP is undoubtedly a huge risk. Today, the name fails to generate audience anticipation and may instead remind people of those cheap crossover films from the past, potentially undermining the momentum both series have painstakingly built up in recent years.
Overcoming this issue will be the biggest challenge for the third film. Even if the new movie tells a story completely independent of the previous two, it will be difficult for audiences to ignore the negative impressions left by the franchise's past.
However, continuing to use the Alien vs. Predator brand could also become a major advantage for the new film. Daring to revive such a critically damaged IP demonstrates the studio's confidence and will immediately attract viewers familiar with the history of both franchises.
For Disney, the safest approach might be to keep its distance from this brand. However, if they choose to embrace it head-on and deliver a truly outstanding third film, it could become a must-see movie for audiences.
After all, the first two Alien vs. Predator films did not leave behind a fondly remembered reputation, nor did they establish a sufficiently loyal fanbase. Disney's decision to revive this series clearly requires a reason beyond simply cashing in on nostalgia.
Considering that both the Alien and Predator franchises have achieved respectable results in recent years under Disney's stewardship, Alien vs. Predator might also have the opportunity to rise again along a similar trajectory.