Predator: Badlands - When the Hunter Becomes the Hunted
For fans of sci-fi action, the Predator franchise needs no introduction. At the recent 2025 CinemaCon, director Dan Trachtenberg unveiled exciting details about his new film, Predator: Badlands.
Trachtenberg, known for Prey, which breathed new life into the series, seems determined to forge a new path with Badlands.
A Leap into the Future
While Prey took us back to a simpler, more primal setting in North America’s distant past, Badlands reportedly propels the narrative into the future, potentially on an alien world. This shift from past to future, Earth to extraterrestrial landscapes, suggests a desire to expand the franchise’s scope and explore uncharted territories.
Trachtenberg’s ambition extends beyond the live-action film, with an animated project in the works. This hints at a broader vision for the Predator universe, aiming to create a more fleshed-out and immersive world.
A New Kind of Predator?
One of the most intriguing revelations about Badlands is the potential evolution of the Predator itself. Elle Fanning, who stars as Thea, hinted that the Predators in this film might not be the purely villainous, kill-driven creatures we’re accustomed to.
Fanning’s character, Thea, will apparently be working alongside a Predator. Has the Predator species undergone a moral shift? Or are they facing a common enemy so formidable that it necessitates cooperation?
A Predator on the Run
Footage screened at CinemaCon depicted a Predator on an unfamiliar alien planet, seemingly hunted and desperate. This role reversal, with the hunter becoming the hunted, injects a fresh dynamic into the series, transforming the narrative from a one-sided pursuit into a struggle for survival.
Thea, with her striking all-white eyes, adds another layer of mystery. Is she controlled? Is she connected to the planet? Her alliance with the Predator remains shrouded in secrecy, promising a complex and unpredictable storyline.
A New World of Horrors
The setting of Badlands is far removed from Earth. Described as vast and desolate, the alien landscape features bizarre flora and fauna unlike anything seen on our planet.
The Predator’s lair, adorned with bones, retains a familiar touch, but the overall atmosphere is tense and oppressive. The Predator faces a new threat, not human or previously encountered creatures, but colossal, resilient monsters.
Upgraded Arsenal
To combat these new challenges, the Predator has upgraded its arsenal, wielding a heat-emitting sword and riding a motorcycle-like vehicle. These additions solidify the film’s shift towards a more science-fiction-oriented approach.
Badlands aims for a grander, more visually stunning space opera feel, transforming not just the setting but the entire aesthetic and genre of the franchise.
Exploring the Predator’s Psyche
Trachtenberg intends to delve deeper into the Predator’s character, exploring its “inner life” and prompting audiences to consider the creature beyond its fearsome exterior. This is an ambitious undertaking, given the Predator’s traditionally silent and predatory nature. However, the film’s premise, with the Predator being hunted, cooperating with humans, and confronting new environments and enemies, suggests that Badlands may explore the Predator species’ culture, society, and place in the universe.
The Future of the Franchise
Overall, the details revealed about Badlands at CinemaCon 2025 paint a picture of a significantly different Predator story, one that is grander in scale, more heavily rooted in science fiction, and richer in narrative complexity. If Prey revitalized the series, Badlands appears poised to propel it forward.
The decision to release Badlands in theaters, unlike Prey’s streaming release, is significant. A successful box office run could pave the way for a potential Alien vs. Predator crossover, a long-awaited prospect fueled by Badlands’ future setting.
With the director of Alien: Romulus expressing openness to collaboration, the possibility of these iconic creatures clashing once again seems more plausible than ever. Ultimately, the fate of the franchise rests on the reception of Badlands when it arrives in November. However, based on the information available, the film’s ambition and willingness to break new ground are promising signs.
What are your thoughts on this movie? Are you excited?