We finally have our first look at the next chapter in the beloved Predator sci-fi action series, Predator: Badlands. The latest installment, which is expected to be a standalone outing similar to the hit 2022 movie Prey, is all set to be directed by Prey’s Dan Trachtenberg, with The Great and A Complete Unknown star Elle Fanning on board to lead. Alongside the first look, a new report by Empire reveals that the movie will make a major change to the franchise: make the Predator the hero of the story. See what Trachtenberg had to say below:
“The creature is front and centre, leading the charge. He’s still badass, but there’s something there that touches you emotionally, too. Creating a character you connect with, but are also super-intimidated by, has been challenging. But exciting.”
The idea to make the Predator the main character came from the filmmaker’s desire to “find another essential piece of cinema that does what Prey did spiritually — pushing the franchise’s boundaries, letting us root for a hero we rarely get to root for — but in a different way. And that transformed into this big idea of rooting for the Predator.”
Predator: Badlands will continue the trend of the decade-spanning franchise, putting the extraterrestrial hunter in a different setting and following different human characters as they fight to stay alive. Hopefully, like Prey, it will yield much better results than many (most?) of the Predator series so far. Unlike Prey, Predator: Badlands is now scheduled to be released in theaters (rather than straight-to-streaming) in the United States on November 7, 2025, by 20th Century Studios. You can check out the official synopsis for Predator: Badlands below.
“A groundbreaking film in which one of the two main storylines delves into the intricate bond of two very different sisters, their familial ties are put to the ultimate test as they pursue divergent paths and missions.”
What Else Does the Future Hold for the Predator Franchise?
It was revealed back in February that Dan Trachtenberg would take the reins of the Predator franchise, directing both Predator: Badlandsand a Prey sequel. Released by 20th Century Studios as a Hulu original film back in 2022, Prey reignites the franchise, dropping the alien hunter 1719 and pitting it against Amber Midthunder as Naru, a young Comanche warrior. Prey was met with critical acclaim, and fans have been calling for a direct follow-up ever since.
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Not only are Predator: Badlands and Prey 2 in the works, but so too is another mysterious project. Rumors have since claimed that this new project will be an animated anthology series set for Disney+, telling a trilogy of separate stories across different time periods.
- Cast
- Amber Midthunder , Dane DiLiegro , Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat , Dakota Beavers
- Runtime
- 1hr 39min
- Writers
- Patrick Aison
- Studio
- Hulu, 20th Century Studios, Davis Entertainment
- Franchise
- Predator