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Predator: Badlands’ Surprising Independence Day Link Revealed

BBG News

In the first trailer for “Predator: Badlands,” an unexpected link to the sci-fi franchise, “Independence Day,” was unveiled. The upcoming 2025 live-action “Predator” movie, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is a distinct departure from the 2022 film “Prey.” “Predator: Badlands” is venturing into uncharted territory with its narrative, as it places a Yautja hunter in the role of protagonist. By making the alien killer the central character, the film has the potential to delve deeper into the franchise’s backstory through intricate world-building.

The trailer for “Predator: Badlands” reveals links to both the “Alien” and “Independence Day” franchises. At first glance, it’s clear that Elle Fanning’s character is a Weyland-Yutani android, similar to those in “Alien”. Moreover, numerous Weyland-Yutani logos are scattered throughout the trailer. However, it’s not just “Alien” that “Predator: Badlands” references – there’s also a connection to “Independence Day”. Indeed, this 1996 action sci-fi film featuring Will Smith and Jeff Goldblum is directly referenced in “Predator: Badlands”.

Predator: Badlands Includes A Harvester Skull From Independence Day

The Familiar Alien Design Is Featured

As a die-hard film enthusiast, one detail that caught my attention in the trailer for Predator: Badlands is the Yautja trophy room, a recurring element in the franchise’s films. In Predator 2, they even placed a Xenomorph skull among their collection. Interestingly, the trophy room in Predator: Badlands doesn’t seem to have a Harvester skull yet, but it does highlight a unique one in the center. This skull stands out with its two large eye sockets beneath an elongated section of the head that narrows down to a point – a design strikingly similar to the Harvesters from Independence Day.

As a passionate film fan, I’ve had the pleasure of witnessing The Harvesters in not one, but two epic installments of the “Independence Day” saga. The first encounter was back in 1996, where these intriguing, shorter aliens with telepathic abilities graced our screens as they invaded Earth. Despite their defeat at that time, they reappeared in “Independence Day: Resurgence”, once again threatening our planet. Interestingly, the skull discovered in “Predator: Badlands” is a glimpse into their natural form, usually hidden beneath their armored suits. This ominous artifact suggests that the Yautja predators had previously crossed paths with this alien race from “Independence Day”, leading to the demise of one of them.

Do Predator & Independence Day Take Place In The Same Universe?

They Do Share A Connection

As a passionate film enthusiast, I can’t help but notice the intriguing link between the thrilling universe of Predator and the epic saga of Independence Day. While it may seem like a surprising fusion, both these sci-fi masterpieces share a common thread – they belong to 20th Century Studios (once known as 20th Century Fox), now under the umbrella of Walt Disney Studios. This studio connection paves the way for such exciting crossovers. Whether this means we’ll eventually witness a joint Predator and Independence Day movie is still up in the air, but it certainly sparks curiosity!

If we accept that this Easter egg suggests the Predator and Independence Day series share a common universe, then questions about continuity inevitably arise. Since Predator 2 is set in 1997, one year after Independence Day, it’s peculiar that there’s no mention of the Harvester invasion in Predator 2. This could be explained away in our reality, but it becomes trickier to accept within this universe. Additionally, considering Alien is also part of this world, the interwoven connections between Predator, Independence Day, and Alien make it challenging to fully understand their chronology and relationships.

Predator: Badlands’ Independence Day Easter Egg Continues A Great Franchise Tradition

Predator Loves Other Movie Aliens

Given that there’s no set schedule for a true mash-up of Predator and Independence Day, the Harvester skull Easter egg primarily serves as an amusing nod for sci-fi enthusiasts. This instance further underscores the Predator franchise’s penchant for loose ties to other alien species seen in science fiction movies. Historically, it’s been Alien that has shared the closest links with Predator, a connection that remains strong even in the latest installment, Predator: Badlands. What makes this all the more intriguing is that the series is now daring to hint at other famous movie aliens that the Yautja outrank.

As a die-hard movie fan, I must admit that the idea of a crossover between “Predator” and “Independence Day,” a combination I never thought possible before, is now piquing my curiosity. The Harvesters, with their ambition for universal domination and annihilation of entire planets, seem like formidable adversaries for the Yautja species. If the Predator franchise chooses to continue its narrative from “Predator: Badlands” through a Yautja protagonist’s perspective, an invasion of Yautja Prime by the Harvesters could create a thrilling tale worth exploring.

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2025-04-24 20:49

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