Since Disney’s acquisition of Fox, they now own the rights to popular sci-fi franchises like Alien and Predator. Both series have a long history, starting with cult sci-fi horror movies and expanding into sequels, spin-offs, novels, comics, and video games. The common theme of extraterrestrial threats has made them immensely popular.
In 2004, the franchises came together in the film “Alien vs. Predator,” which became canon and was followed by a direct sequel in 2007. After Disney took over, they released a new Predator film called “Prey,” which received positive feedback, sparking speculation about new Alien-related media. However, updating Alien presents more challenges.
Predator benefits from its simple one-shot treatment in each movie, where the protagonist faces off against a Predator in different settings. On the other hand, Alien has a deeper mythology, focusing on Sigourney Weaver’s character, Ripley, and exploring complex themes. Ridley Scott’s prequels expanded the lore but also made the Alien mythos more convoluted.
The Predator franchise has easily reinvented itself with different concepts like cop thrillers and battle royales. In contrast, Alien has faced difficulties with unmade projects and production tussles, hindering the development of a potential Alien 5. Despite this, Disney remains hopeful about future Alien movies, with a third prequel reportedly in the works.
Following the mixed reception of “The Predator” in 2018, hopes for the franchise rested on “Prey,” which successfully revived interest and became a hit on Hulu. This success has given Disney more reason to pursue an Alien reboot, as it has a dedicated fanbase.
The next Alien movie, titled “Alien: Romulus,” is scheduled for release on August 16, 2024, as an exclusive Hulu release. Directed by Fede Alvarez and produced by Ridley Scott, it promises to be a standalone entry in the franchise. The plot details are scarce, leading to divided opinions among fans about whether it’s a prequel or sequel. The movie features a young cast, signaling a new direction for the series.
While there have been no official production stills, fans eagerly await the revival of the Alien franchise, hoping it will follow in the footsteps of the successful Predator reboot, “Prey.”