Turns Out Predator: Badlands Has An Alien: Earth Connection Even Its Director Didn’t Initially ‘Realize’

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The new movie, Predator: Badlands, seems like a self-contained story, but it surprisingly connects to the Alien universe and includes references to other classic sci-fi films. Director Dan Trachtenberg says some of these connections were planned, and he even adjusted the movie after seeing Alien: Romulus. However, others were pure coincidence – one even surprised him when he noticed it.

The strongest connection to the Alien universe lies with the synths, characters played by Elle Fanning, who clearly use technology from the Weyland-Yutani corporation – you can see it in their equipment, spaceships, and even on their base, which features the company’s iconic logo. Director Trachtenberg told Entertainment Weekly that one connection wasn’t intentional, but a welcome surprise, and he shared the story with them.

Cam unexpectedly joined our production after working on ‘Alien: Earth,’ and I feel for him. Imagine going from a very secretive set to this movie – which he knew was ‘Predator’ – and then seeing ‘Weyland-Yutani’ on his costume! He must have been completely confused about what was going on.

Cameron Brown, who currently plays a Drone Synth in Badlands, previously worked on the Alien: Earth FX series, which you can find on Hulu. While this connection wasn’t planned as part of a larger franchise, it’s a surprisingly fitting link between the worlds of Badlands and Alien, two popular franchises that share some thematic similarities.

The show Badlands didn’t just stumble into its Easter eggs – some were intentionally placed. Fans will spot a quick appearance by MU/TH/UR, the famous AI computer from the original Alien film. But the biggest surprise came with actor Cameron Brown, who unexpectedly connected the worlds of both sci-fi franchises when he joined the cast and crew.

The movie includes several intentional references for fans. Director Trachtenberg revealed a brief appearance by Naru, the hero from Prey, and the imposing Back Biter creature from the animated film Predator: Killer of Killers also shows up. Additionally, the distinctive synth sound effect might seem familiar, as Trachtenberg directly took it from Alien: Romulus.

Staying true to the series’ style, Badlands hints at a larger story with themes that dedicated fans will recognize. The film focuses on a young Predator, Dek, who’s trying to prove himself, a storyline similar to those seen in previous movies like Predators and Prey, which also explored characters who didn’t quite fit in.

The film cleverly connects Dek with Thia, an android who feels lost and outdated, echoing the thoughtful exploration of artificial intelligence and identity seen in the original Alien movies. This unexpected pairing of hunter and machine creates a bond based on both survival and a desire for control, adding surprising emotional depth to Badlands. It’s a delicate touch that works well with Trachtenberg’s vision for updating the Predator story while still delivering the exciting action fans expect.

The new movie, Predator: Badlands, is now playing in theaters. If you’re a fan of the Predator series and enjoy spotting hidden details and references, it’s a film you might want to see more than once.

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2025-11-10 20:41