Alien vs. Predator - Timeline

I wonder if Independence Day and V can be reconciled to co-exist in the same timeline?

Edit: So in the pilot the following dialogue would indicate ID4 is a movie in this timeline.

And NORAD
is now confirming the first jets...

... to encounter the spacecrafts
experienced full electrical failure.

Dude, this is Independence Day.

Which was a rip-off of any number
of alien-invasion predecessors.
 
OK so for fun I asked AI to write a pursuasive essay on how to reconcile V with ID4.

### Bridging Worlds: The Shared Universe of *V* (2009) and the *Independence Day* Franchise

In the vast tapestry of science fiction, few spectacles rival the awe-inspiring terror of alien invasion narratives. The 1996 blockbuster *Independence Day* etched itself into cultural memory with its colossal saucers descending upon global landmarks, only to be repelled by human ingenuity and a well-timed virus upload. Thirteen years later, the 2009 ABC series *V* reignited the trope, introducing the Visitors—sleek, humanoid aliens arriving in pristine white motherships, promising peace while harboring reptilian secrets beneath their human skins. At first glance, these stories seem like parallel riffs on the same theme: extraterrestrial visitors, massive ships, and humanity's fight for survival. Yet, a deeper examination reveals they are not mere echoes but threads in a single, expansive cinematic universe. Through the insidious presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation—a linchpin of the *Alien* and *Predator* franchises—and a cheeky, self-aware nod in *V*'s pilot episode, these narratives converge into one cohesive timeline. This essay persuasively argues that *V* and *Independence Day* inhabit the same continuity, forging a multigenerational saga of interstellar corporate greed, alien incursions, and resilient humanity.

The cornerstone of this unified universe lies in the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a shadowy megacorp whose fingerprints span galaxies and decades. In the *Alien* franchise, Weyland-Yutani is the ruthless engine driving humanity's xenomorphic nightmares, prioritizing profit over survival by weaponizing the deadly Xenomorph species and colonizing hostile worlds. Its tendrils extend into the *Predator* saga, where Yautja hunters clash with corporate operatives in films like *Predator 2* and *Aliens vs. Predator*. Fast-forward to 2025's *Predator: Badlands*, and the connections deepen: the film not only nods to *Alien* through overt Weyland-Yutani branding and biomechanical Easter eggs but also weaves in *Independence Day* via a chilling harvester skull relic—a direct callback to the insectoid harvesters obliterated in the 1996 invasion. This skull, unearthed in a dystopian Earth setting, implies that the *Independence Day* events scarred the planet, leaving artifacts for future scavengers like the Predators to exploit. Director Dan Trachtenberg's deliberate inclusions transform *Predator: Badlands* into a nexus, linking the *Alien/Predator* shared universe to *Independence Day*'s cataclysmic legacy.

Enter *V*, where Weyland-Yutani lurks not as a distant colonial overlord but as a terrestrial power player eager to exploit the Visitors' "blue energy" technology. In the series' eighth episode, "We Can't Win," Anna—the enigmatic Visitor queen—hosts a high-stakes presentation unveiling this limitless power source. Among the assembled elite is a delegate bearing the unmistakable nameplate: "Weyland-Yutani Corp." This is no casual Easter egg; it's a deliberate anchor. In a world where the Visitors' arrival in 2009 has unified humanity under a facade of hope, Weyland-Yutani's involvement signals corporate opportunism on a global scale. Why would a firm synonymous with extraterrestrial biohazards pivot to alien fusion tech? Because, in this timeline, *V* unfolds in the post-*Independence Day* aftermath. The 1996 invasion ravaged economies and infrastructures, paving the way for conglomerates like Weyland-Yutani to consolidate power through reconstruction and innovation. The Visitors' gifts—cloaking tech, healing serums, and energy—mirror the salvaged alien wreckage from *Independence Day*'s Area 51, now ripe for corporate dissection. By embedding Weyland-Yutani in *V*, the series doesn't just borrow from *Alien*; it inherits the *Independence Day* scars, positioning the Visitors as the next wave in a relentless alien onslaught. Transitivity seals the deal: *V* → *Alien/Predator* (via Weyland-Yutani) → *Independence Day* (via *Badlands*). To dismiss this as coincidence ignores the deliberate cross-pollination that defines modern sci-fi universes, much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credit teases.

Skeptics might counter that these are mere fan-service nods, not canonical ties—after all, sci-fi thrives on homage. But *V*'s pilot episode delivers a punchier, more subversive clue that demands a unified reading: a direct, in-universe shout-out to *Independence Day*. As the Visitors' motherships materialize over New York, London, and Tokyo, the camera cuts to a street interview with two wide-eyed teens. The first blurts, "Dude, this is *Independence Day*!"—a visceral echo of the 1996 film's spectacle. His friend, ever the contrarian, shoots back: "Which was a rip-off of any number of alien-invasion predecessors." On the surface, this plays as meta-humor, poking fun at *Independence Day*'s debt to *War of the Worlds* and *The Day the Earth Stood Still*. Yet, in the context of a shared timeline, it transforms into a layered revelation. These kids aren't just cinephiles; they're Gen-Z survivors (or descendants) of the real 1996 cataclysm. The "rip-off" quip? It's defensive cynicism—a cultural scar tissue formed from living through saucer shadows and EMP blackouts. Why reference a "rip-off" if not to underscore that *Independence Day* was no movie, but history? The Visitors' ships, with their ethereal glow contrasting the harvesters' brute-force destructiveness, feel like an evolution: subtler, more insidious. This dialogue isn't dismissive; it's defiant, a whisper that humanity remembers, adapts, and mocks to cope. In a 2009 world reeling from economic fallout (mirroring our own Great Recession, but amplified by alien-induced chaos), such banter humanizes the stakes, reminding viewers that *V*'s peace offerings ring hollow against *Independence Day*'s pyrrhic victory. It's the kind of fourth-wall flirtation that *Deadpool* employs to cement multiversal bonds—playful, yet profoundly connective.

Critics may protest timeline mismatches: *Independence Day*'s aliens were hive-minded harvesters, while *V*'s Visitors are shape-shifting imperialists. How do they coexist? Easily, through the lens of diverse extraterrestrial threats in a sprawling universe. Just as *Avengers: Endgame* juggles gods, tech, and mutants, this continuity accommodates varied invaders. The 1996 defeat didn't end alien interest in Earth; it advertised our vulnerability, drawing opportunistic species like the Visitors. Weyland-Yutani's role as the connective tissue—profiting from harvester debris in the '90s, Xenomorph hunts in the 22nd century, and Visitor tech in 2009—ensures narrative cohesion. Moreover, *Predator: Badlands* bridges the gap by depicting a 2030s Earth littered with *Independence Day* remnants, priming the stage for *V*'s mid-2000s prelude.

In weaving *V* into the *Independence Day* fabric, we enrich both: *Independence Day* gains a serialized successor exploring psychological occupation, while *V* inherits blockbuster gravitas from its cinematic forebears. This shared universe isn't a stretch—it's an invitation to rewatch with fresh eyes, spotting the corporate logos and scarred skies that bind them. As Weyland-Yutani's delegates applaud Anna's blue energy demo, they're not just investors; they're heirs to a legacy of invasion and exploitation. The teens' banter in *V*'s pilot? A rallying cry: We've seen this before, and we'll fight smarter next time. Sci-fi fans, embrace the convergence. In this timeline, humanity's greatest weapon isn't a virus or a nuke—it's our unyielding ability to connect the dots across the stars.
 
Dallas Kinard said:
OK so for fun I asked AI to write a pursuasive essay on how to reconcile V with ID4.

### Bridging Worlds: The Shared Universe of *V* (2009) and the *Independence Day* Franchise

In the vast tapestry of science fiction, few spectacles rival the awe-inspiring terror of alien invasion narratives. The 1996 blockbuster *Independence Day* etched itself into cultural memory with its colossal saucers descending upon global landmarks, only to be repelled by human ingenuity and a well-timed virus upload. Thirteen years later, the 2009 ABC series *V* reignited the trope, introducing the Visitors—sleek, humanoid aliens arriving in pristine white motherships, promising peace while harboring reptilian secrets beneath their human skins. At first glance, these stories seem like parallel riffs on the same theme: extraterrestrial visitors, massive ships, and humanity's fight for survival. Yet, a deeper examination reveals they are not mere echoes but threads in a single, expansive cinematic universe. Through the insidious presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation—a linchpin of the *Alien* and *Predator* franchises—and a cheeky, self-aware nod in *V*'s pilot episode, these narratives converge into one cohesive timeline. This essay persuasively argues that *V* and *Independence Day* inhabit the same continuity, forging a multigenerational saga of interstellar corporate greed, alien incursions, and resilient humanity.

The cornerstone of this unified universe lies in the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a shadowy megacorp whose fingerprints span galaxies and decades. In the *Alien* franchise, Weyland-Yutani is the ruthless engine driving humanity's xenomorphic nightmares, prioritizing profit over survival by weaponizing the deadly Xenomorph species and colonizing hostile worlds. Its tendrils extend into the *Predator* saga, where Yautja hunters clash with corporate operatives in films like *Predator 2* and *Aliens vs. Predator*. Fast-forward to 2025's *Predator: Badlands*, and the connections deepen: the film not only nods to *Alien* through overt Weyland-Yutani branding and biomechanical Easter eggs but also weaves in *Independence Day* via a chilling harvester skull relic—a direct callback to the insectoid harvesters obliterated in the 1996 invasion. This skull, unearthed in a dystopian Earth setting, implies that the *Independence Day* events scarred the planet, leaving artifacts for future scavengers like the Predators to exploit. Director Dan Trachtenberg's deliberate inclusions transform *Predator: Badlands* into a nexus, linking the *Alien/Predator* shared universe to *Independence Day*'s cataclysmic legacy.

Enter *V*, where Weyland-Yutani lurks not as a distant colonial overlord but as a terrestrial power player eager to exploit the Visitors' "blue energy" technology. In the series' eighth episode, "We Can't Win," Anna—the enigmatic Visitor queen—hosts a high-stakes presentation unveiling this limitless power source. Among the assembled elite is a delegate bearing the unmistakable nameplate: "Weyland-Yutani Corp." This is no casual Easter egg; it's a deliberate anchor. In a world where the Visitors' arrival in 2009 has unified humanity under a facade of hope, Weyland-Yutani's involvement signals corporate opportunism on a global scale. Why would a firm synonymous with extraterrestrial biohazards pivot to alien fusion tech? Because, in this timeline, *V* unfolds in the post-*Independence Day* aftermath. The 1996 invasion ravaged economies and infrastructures, paving the way for conglomerates like Weyland-Yutani to consolidate power through reconstruction and innovation. The Visitors' gifts—cloaking tech, healing serums, and energy—mirror the salvaged alien wreckage from *Independence Day*'s Area 51, now ripe for corporate dissection. By embedding Weyland-Yutani in *V*, the series doesn't just borrow from *Alien*; it inherits the *Independence Day* scars, positioning the Visitors as the next wave in a relentless alien onslaught. Transitivity seals the deal: *V* → *Alien/Predator* (via Weyland-Yutani) → *Independence Day* (via *Badlands*). To dismiss this as coincidence ignores the deliberate cross-pollination that defines modern sci-fi universes, much like the Marvel Cinematic Universe's post-credit teases.

Skeptics might counter that these are mere fan-service nods, not canonical ties—after all, sci-fi thrives on homage. But *V*'s pilot episode delivers a punchier, more subversive clue that demands a unified reading: a direct, in-universe shout-out to *Independence Day*. As the Visitors' motherships materialize over New York, London, and Tokyo, the camera cuts to a street interview with two wide-eyed teens. The first blurts, "Dude, this is *Independence Day*!"—a visceral echo of the 1996 film's spectacle. His friend, ever the contrarian, shoots back: "Which was a rip-off of any number of alien-invasion predecessors." On the surface, this plays as meta-humor, poking fun at *Independence Day*'s debt to *War of the Worlds* and *The Day the Earth Stood Still*. Yet, in the context of a shared timeline, it transforms into a layered revelation. These kids aren't just cinephiles; they're Gen-Z survivors (or descendants) of the real 1996 cataclysm. The "rip-off" quip? It's defensive cynicism—a cultural scar tissue formed from living through saucer shadows and EMP blackouts. Why reference a "rip-off" if not to underscore that *Independence Day* was no movie, but history? The Visitors' ships, with their ethereal glow contrasting the harvesters' brute-force destructiveness, feel like an evolution: subtler, more insidious. This dialogue isn't dismissive; it's defiant, a whisper that humanity remembers, adapts, and mocks to cope. In a 2009 world reeling from economic fallout (mirroring our own Great Recession, but amplified by alien-induced chaos), such banter humanizes the stakes, reminding viewers that *V*'s peace offerings ring hollow against *Independence Day*'s pyrrhic victory. It's the kind of fourth-wall flirtation that *Deadpool* employs to cement multiversal bonds—playful, yet profoundly connective.

Critics may protest timeline mismatches: *Independence Day*'s aliens were hive-minded harvesters, while *V*'s Visitors are shape-shifting imperialists. How do they coexist? Easily, through the lens of diverse extraterrestrial threats in a sprawling universe. Just as *Avengers: Endgame* juggles gods, tech, and mutants, this continuity accommodates varied invaders. The 1996 defeat didn't end alien interest in Earth; it advertised our vulnerability, drawing opportunistic species like the Visitors. Weyland-Yutani's role as the connective tissue—profiting from harvester debris in the '90s, Xenomorph hunts in the 22nd century, and Visitor tech in 2009—ensures narrative cohesion. Moreover, *Predator: Badlands* bridges the gap by depicting a 2030s Earth littered with *Independence Day* remnants, priming the stage for *V*'s mid-2000s prelude.

In weaving *V* into the *Independence Day* fabric, we enrich both: *Independence Day* gains a serialized successor exploring psychological occupation, while *V* inherits blockbuster gravitas from its cinematic forebears. This shared universe isn't a stretch—it's an invitation to rewatch with fresh eyes, spotting the corporate logos and scarred skies that bind them. As Weyland-Yutani's delegates applaud Anna's blue energy demo, they're not just investors; they're heirs to a legacy of invasion and exploitation. The teens' banter in *V*'s pilot? A rallying cry: We've seen this before, and we'll fight smarter next time. Sci-fi fans, embrace the convergence. In this timeline, humanity's greatest weapon isn't a virus or a nuke—it's our unyielding ability to connect the dots across the stars.
Click to expand...
Let's just not connect James Bond and AVP next. :p

tardis.fandom.com

Xenomorph

Xenomorphs were a parasitic species encountered by humanity from the 21st century onwards. They evidently had several "stages" in their life-cycle. Xenomorphs went through a life-cycle, where they grew as egg-like "ovomorphs", (TV: Dalek [+]Robert Shearman, adapted from Jubilee (Robert...
tardis.fandom.com tardis.fandom.com
tardis.fandom.com

Weyland-Yutani Corporation

The Weyland-Yutani Corporation was a conglomerate in the 21st and 22nd centuries. In Paradise Towers, more specifically in the Kangs' lair, there were old, repainted barrels that clearly showed the remnants of the Weyland-Yutani logo. (TV: Paradise Towers) In a human colony on Vulcan, in the...
tardis.fandom.com tardis.fandom.com
jamesbond.fandom.com

Sylvia Trench

Sylvia Trench was a patron of the Le Cercle casino at Les Ambassadeurs in London. A recurring love interest portrayed by the late British actress Eunice Gayson, the character appeared in EON Productions' first two James Bond films, Dr. No (1962) and From Russia with Love (1963). At the classy Le...
jamesbond.fandom.com jamesbond.fandom.com
tardis.fandom.com

Sylvia Trench

Sylvia Trench took a trip aboard the Orient Express in Italy in 1962, bringing aboard with her a copy of Agatha Christie's Murder on the Orient Express. Her journey was briefly interrupted by the unexpected arrival of the Fifteenth Doctor in her cabin, who presented her with a ham and cheese...
tardis.fandom.com tardis.fandom.com
mashable.com

James Bond is canon in 'Doctor Who' now

Did you catch Steven Moffat's sly spy reference in "Joy to the World"?
mashable.com mashable.com
 
100% Canon
Alien
Predator
AVP

Connections
Outland [reused space suits/set designs]
Blade Runner/Soldier [Numerous]
Terminator [Comic crossover]
RoboCop [Comic crossover]
Independence Day [Harvester skull]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel [Weyland-Yutani/comic crossover]
Firefly [Weyland-Yutani]
I, Robot [Weyland-Yutani]
Death Race [Weyland Corp]
V [Weyland-Yutani]
Underwater [Weyland Corp]

That sound about right? I think Buffy places the Weyland-Yutani reference as being before AVP took place, so I guess the merger deal wasn't quite finalised? Or even, they separated from one another before coming together in the future.
 
Last edited:
Pro Bot said:
100% Canon
Alien
Predator
AVP

Connections
Outland [reused space suits/set designs]
Blade Runner/Soldier [Numerous]
Terminator [Comic crossover]
RoboCop [Comic crossover]
Independence Day [Harvester skull]
Buffy the Vampire Slayer/Angel [Weyland-Yutani/comic crossover]
Firefly [Weyland-Yutani]
I, Robot [Weyland-Yutani]
Death Race [Weyland Corp]
V [Weyland-Yutani]
Underwater [Weyland Corp]

That sound about right?
Click to expand...
Yea but I'm having trouble with Buffy/Angel. I'm tempted to add it to my own personal list, but I feel it would be extremely difficult to reconcile it with ID4, considering that was a 9/11 type event. Like in the MCU the battle of NY or the Snap is referenced so much.
 
Dallas Kinard said:
Yea but I'm having trouble with Buffy/Angel. I'm tempted to add it to my own personal list, but I feel it would be extremely difficult to reconcile it with ID4, considering that was a 9/11 type event. Like in the MCU the battle of NY or the Snap is referenced so much.
Click to expand...
Ooooh, you have a personal list? That's really cool.
 
Dallas Kinard said:
Eh I just don't need the excessive profanity, sex scenes and gore to enjoy a story. Hard PG-13 (Predator Badlands) is perfect for me.
Click to expand...
I don't need it either, but it also doesn't bother me. Alien/Predator are great stories that don't really have to rely on their strong ratings to survive. It's not Friday the 13th, it doesn't rely on it more than necessary. It's why I like them more. Predator: Badlands didn't need to be rated R because there's no humans in the film to gut, and AVP had monsters fighting monsters.

I think the only reason they use gore/sex/swearing is just to fit the creatures. I mean... the Xenomorph is literally a rape monster with a penis head.

Also, ratings are all useless as far as I'm concerned. The Suicide Squad has the same age rating as Venom, Suicide Squad, and Deadpool in the UK. Saying fuck more than once is suddenly more offensive even if the two fucks are in close proximity to one another.
 
Pro Bot said:
I don't need it either, but it also doesn't bother me. Alien/Predator are great stories that don't really have to rely on their strong ratings to survive. It's not Friday the 13th, it doesn't rely on it more than necessary. It's why I like them more. Predator: Badlands didn't need to be rated R because there's no humans in the film to gut.

Also, ratings are all useless as far as I'm concerned. The Suicide Squad has the same age rating as Venom, Suicide Squad, and Deadpool in the UK. Saying fuck more than once is suddenly more offensive even if the two fucks are in close proximity to one another.
Click to expand...
Yea the standards here in the states are a bit different. It's all a cultural thing.
 
I won't include Buffy because it's too large and confusing, and I won't include Terminator/RoboCop because of time travel and it's only in the comics, but if I did, this list would be waaaay more interesting.

1719 - Prey
1997 - Terminator Zero 1x01-1x08
1984 - The Terminator
1987 - Predator
1991 - RoboCop
1991 - RoboCop: The Animated Series 1x01-1x12
1992 - RoboCop 2
1993 - RoboCop 3
1994 - RoboCop: The Series 1x01-1x22
1995 - Terminator 2: Judgement Day
1996 - Independence Day
1997 - Predator 2
1998 - Predator: Killer of Killers
2001 - RoboCop: Prime Directives 1x01-1x04
2004 - Terminator 3: Rise of the Machines
2018 - Terminator: Salvation
2004 - Alien vs. Predator
2004 - Aliens vs. Predator Requiem
2007 - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 1x01-1x09
2008 - Terminator: The Sarah Connor Chronicles 2x01-2x22
2010 - V 1x01-1x12
2010 - The Rig
2011 - V 2x01-2x10
2015 - Death Race 2
2016 - Independence Day: Resurgence
2018 - The Predator
2019 - Blade Runner
2020 - Death Race 3
2020 - Death Race
2024 - Predators
2025 - Death Race: Beyond Anarchy
2030 - RoboCop: Alpha Commando 1x01-1x40
2032 - Blade Runner: Black Lotus 1x01-1x13
2035 - I, Robot
2036 - Soldier
2049 - Blade Runner 2049
2050 - Underwater
2093 - Prometheus
2104 - Alien: Covenant
2120 - Alien: Earth 1x01-1x08
2122 - Alien
2124 - Outland
2142 - Alien: Romulus
2179 - Aliens
2179 - Alien³
2381 - Alien Resurrection
2409 - Predator: Badlands
2517 - Firefly 1x01-1x14
2518 - Serenity
 
Last edited:
You must log in or register to reply here.

Latest posts

Back
Top