According to recent reports, Disney allegedly possesses a fully completed ten-episode anime series based on the Alien vs. Predator franchise. The series is said to be ready for release, but Disney has chosen to keep it tightly under wraps.
During a recent episode of the Perfect Organism Podcast, Joshua Izzo, the former licensing director and founder of Alien Day, shared some insights about the anime series. He also shared why it hasn’t seen the light of day. Izzo revealed that he produced the series, which was written by Eric Calderon and Dave Baker, both highly talented individuals.
The concept for an Alien vs. Predator animated series initially came from Izzo. He pitched the idea to Dave Bixler, then the head of Home Entertainment, and received his support. Izzo further presented the concept to Jeffrey Godsick, head of consumer products, with the aim of creating a direct-to-DVD animation series. The idea was to have more control over the franchise rather than waiting for sporadic theatrical releases.
After Godsick greenlit the project, Izzo began developing the series in collaboration with Home Entertainment. Storyboards were created, and the concept was fleshed out. The advantage of an animated series was that it drew from nearly 30 years of comics. This would mean that there were no rights issues to contend with.
Alien vs. Predator Anime: All the Way To the End
A director was brought in for the project. The given reports suggest Shinji Aramaki, known for his work on Halo Legends and Harlock: Space Pirate, was selected. Aramaki, who is renowned for combining 2D animation with CGI, presented a unique story pitch for the series. Collaborating with Baker and Calderon as animation consultants, Izzo and Aramaki worked on the ten episodes. These episodes are set after the events of Alien vs. Predator and Alien Resurrection.
The plan was to distribute the episodes across three DVDs in the West, while also broadcasting them separately on Japanese television. Given Aramaki’s distinctive style, it is expected that the series would feature a blend of 2D animation and CGI.
Despite the completion of the series, the question remains as to when or if Disney will ever release it to the public. Currently, there is no official information regarding the release date or any specific plans for the anime. Fans of the Alien vs. Predator franchise can only speculate and hope that Disney will eventually decide to unveil this highly anticipated series to eager audiences worldwide.
