^{Credit: Predator: Killer of Killers (Credit: 20th Century Studios, Hulu)}

Disney has two Best Animated Feature hopefuls this year with Zootopia 2 and Pixar’s Elio. Yet, a huge question mark has been hovering over Disney’s FYC office ever since June: Will Predator: Killer of Killers compete at the Oscars or Emmys? This animated Predator film, which was produced with The Third Floor, Inc., earned some of the franchise’s best reviews to date. Dan Trachtenberg, who directed the film with Third Floor co-founder Joshua Wassung, previously made Prey, the best Predator movie since the 1987 classic. Since Prey was a Hulu release, it was submitted for Primetime Emmy consideration, going on to receive six nominations, including Outstanding Television Movie. Prey won one Emmy for Outstanding Sound Editing for a Limited or Anthology Series, Movie or Special.

Killer of Killers seems likely to follow the same route, being eligible for either Outstanding Television Movie or Outstanding Animated Program. Still, there was always a chance that Disney and Hulu might give Killer of Killers a qualifying theatrical run for Oscar consideration. Disney’s FYC site appears to confirm that Killer of Killers won’t be submitted at the Oscars. Elio and Zootopia 2 are both listed, along with several live-action films under the Disney umbrella like Avatar: Fire and Ash and Springsteen: Deliver Me From Nowhere. Notably, the live-action Snow White remake is missing from Disney’s FYC site. Granted, it’s highly unlikely that Snow White will even be nominated in any of the below-the-line categories. Yet, it is telling that Captain America: Brave New World and Tron: Ares are on the FYC site, but not Snow White.

^{Disney's FYC Page}

Meanwhile, Predator: Killer of Killers is listed on Hulu’s FYC page alongside shows like Futurama Season 13, King of the Hill Season 14, and Solar Opposites Season 6. This all but seems to confirm that Killer of Killers will be an Emmy player rather than an Oscar player. I also reached out to an industry insider close to Disney’s FYC department. While the source couldn’t definitely confirm it, they said that Disney hasn’t mentioned Predator: Killer of Killers once in terms of Oscar prospects. The Predator franchise could still get an Oscar nomination for another film released this year, however. Trachtenberg has continued his hot streak with the live-action, theatrical film, Predator: Badlands.

^{Hulu's FYC Page}

The first movie to be entirely told from a Predator’s POV, Badlands is enjoying one of the franchise’s best opening weekends at the box office. Although the film looks phenomenal, it had a fairly modest budget of $105 million, meaning Badlands should attain profitability to go with its stellar reviews. Unlike Killer of Killers, Badlands is listed on Disney’s FYC site. As strong as the performances are, we sadly won’t be seeing Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi or Elle Fanning nominated, although the latter may get her first nomination for Sentimental Value. As compelling as Predator: Badlands is, it just isn’t the kind of blockbuster that the Academy goes for in the above-the-line categories. Below-the-line is another story.

The first Predator movie received a Best Visual Effects nomination, losing to Innerspace. Another Predator film hasn’t been nominated since. Badlands may end that dry spell. The film not only takes place in a vast, immersive world, but its two main characters rely heavily on special effects wizardry. Fanning’s Thia spends most of the film sliced in half, her legs being digitally removed in post-production. Schuster-Koloamatangi’s Dek was realized through a mix of practical and digital effects. Several effects companies worked on the film, most notably Wētā Workshop and Wētā FX (The Lord of the Rings, Planet of the Apes). Predator: Badlands just might make the Best Visual Effects lineup alongside other hopefuls like Avatar: Fire and Ash.

That said, the third Avatar film is all but guaranteed the Oscar given that franchise’s track record. Predator: Badlands could also be a contender for Best Makeup and Hairstyling, although that seems like a two-horse race between Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein and Wicked: For Good, both of which are in the Best Picture conversation. While Predator: Badlands might not win any Oscars, these would be two highly deserved nominations for one of the year’s most enthralling entertainments. Between Predator: Badlands and Predator: Killer of Killers, Dan Trachtenberg continues to prove that he can do no wrong with his series. He just might bring Predator an Oscar nomination and an Emmy nomination in the same year.

Nick Spake is the Author of Bright & Shiny: A History of Animation at Award Shows Volumes 1 and 2. Available Now!