Anderson's next project was the much-anticipated "Alien vs. Predator", based on the crossover concept of the same name between the "Alien" and "Predator" franchises, which was popularized by a series of Dark Horse comics and hinted at in "Predator 2". A film version had been stuck in development hell for several years, despite the franchise crossing into every other form of media, from books to comics to video games. Anderson directed the film based on a script of his own, and it was released in 2004. The film received negative reviews by critics, and a B on a Cinemascore poll by audiences. It was a big commercial success, grossing a little over $170 million, on a budget of $60 million. A sequel was made, called "", in which Anderson was not involved, and which failed to match Anderson's film's commercial or even critical performance, a fact that Anderson has used to defend his film.