The Alien vs. Predator crossover just got real.
With Predator: Badlands now just months away from its November 7 release, speculation around a long-awaited Alien vs. Predator reunion is ramping up — and a small casting clue might be the most compelling piece of evidence yet.
Cameron Brown, a stunt performer who portrayed a xenomorph in FX’s Alien: Earth, is now listed in an uncredited role for Predator: Badlands. The connection might seem minor, but when taken alongside other mounting clues, it’s fueling a theory that the Predator’s next target may not be that oversized reptilian beast we’ve seen in trailers — but a xenomorph.
Weyland-Yutani, Power Loaders… and Now This?
The hints have been stacking up for months. Elle Fanning’s character Thia, confirmed to be a Weyland-Yutani android, already planted Badlands firmly within the shared Alien-Predator universe. Add to that the brief shot in the latest trailer of a P-5000 Power Loader, a weaponized exosuit first made iconic in Aliens, and the signs become harder to ignore. In the trailer, Thia even warns that Dek, the young Predator protagonist, “might not be alone in this hunt” just before the Loader appears onscreen.
That line alone sparked renewed interest in the potential for a stealth crossover, with fans quick to speculate what (or who) else might be on the planet.
The Apex Predator Mislead
Trachtenberg’s Badlands follows a lone, outcast Yautja named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) trying to prove himself worthy of his clan by hunting what’s described as an “apex predator.” While marketing has framed this target as the enormous alien beast glimpsed in teasers, many now suspect it’s a red herring. In the extended lore, xenomorphs are the ultimate hunt — a rite of passage for elite Predators.
So if Dek wants to prove himself? A xenomorph is the trophy that counts.
A Quiet Return to Alien vs. Predator?
This isn’t the only breadcrumb dropped this year. Predator: Killer of Killers featured a Yautja warlord wearing a cape believed to be made of xenomorph tails, while Alien: Earth teased “five predatory species” invading Earth — one of which fans believe was a not-so-subtle nod to the Yautja. It’s not confirmation, but the franchises have been circling each other all year.
If Badlands truly is a backdoor reboot of the Alien vs. Predator concept, it would be the first direct on-screen clash in over 15 years. But even if the xenomorph only appears in a late-movie reveal or post-credits tease, it could set the stage for something bigger.
The Crossover’s Never Been Better Positioned
Between Prey’s critical success and growing buzz for Alien: Earth, both franchises are enjoying renewed interest and creative energy. A well-executed crossover — whether teased in Badlands or fully unleashed in a future installment — could reignite one of sci-fi’s most fan-loved rivalries.
For now, Predator: Badlands remains officially xenomorph-free. But with Cameron Brown’s name slipping into the cast list, and the Weyland-Yutani android already onboard, the hunt might be more crowded than it looks.
And if there’s one thing we know about these two iconic creatures, it’s that sooner or later, they’ll find each other.