The upcoming filmPredator: Badlandswill serve as the next installment in thePredatorseries to be helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, and it comes in stark contrast to his previousPredatormovie,Prey. Released on Hulu in 2022,Preywas met with critical approval and became one of the most streamed films following its premiere. While films inthe Predator franchisehave been unevenly received,Preyrevitalized the dying franchise and made a sequel likePredator: Badlandsviable. Now, surprising newfootage ofPredator: Badlandsfrom CinemaConteases a complete change.
Much of the information aboutPredator: Badlandsis still being kept under wraps, but this new footage does make the movie’s plot a bit clearer.Predator: Badlandswill star Elle Fanningin a leading role that will see her team up with the outcast Predator, who is seemingly being hunted. She remarks that he is attempting to hunt something that can’t be killed, creating intrigue about what enemy could be besting the Predator. Along with the surprising twist of seeing a human team up with a Predator, the new movie also features another big difference toPrey.
Predator: Badlands' “Other Worldly” Location Is Very Different From Prey’s 18th Century Tribal Setting
Predator: Badlands Marks A Stark Contrast From Prey
WhilePrey 2has been confirmedand will hopefully return audiences to Naru’s world, Trachtenberg’s upcomingPredatormovie is going to look completely different. In contrast toPrey’s 18th century setting and focus on a Comanche community that is plagued by both the Predator and by French traders.The CinemaCon footage ofBadlandsis described as being “otherworldly.“Preyfelt very stripped down and very natural. Amber Midthunder’s character, Naru, while being a hero on her own, was also clearly a part of a community and tied to her location.
The alien setting and making the Predator the hero certainly ensure that Trachtenberg’s film will take the franchise in a completely new direction.
In contrast,Badlandswill see the Predator take center stage, and the setting will be much more alien as well. WherePreywas easily identifiable as being on Earth,Predator: Badlandsis reportedly the most otherworldly movie of the franchise so far. The new film will take place on an alien planet and will see the Predator take on other monstrous enemies with Fanning’s character at his side. The alien setting and making the Predator the hero certainly ensure that Trachtenberg’s film will take the franchise in a completely new direction.
Predator: Badlands' Weapons & Combat Will Also Be A Big Reversal From Prey
The Tech Seems Much More Advanced
Along with its completely different setting,Predator: Badlandswill also feature updated weapons that will give its fights a completely different feel than those ofPrey. Throughout the 2022 movie, Naru largely relies on very simplistic weapons like a bow or 18th-century pistol, with much of her success stemming from her ability to outsmart the Predator. Part of what madePreywork so well was seeing Naru, who is a skilled warrior, come to understand that finding smarter solutions can often be more effective than advanced weapons.
Will Predator: Badlands connect to any other installments?
Though paired with the unfortunate news of the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Blade reboot being delayed indefinitely, this week saw the exciting confirmation that Predator: Badlands will be hitting theaters on August 03, 2025. With Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison back leading the charge, some may be wondering whether it will hold any connections to prior Predator movies and, admittedly, while it may be too early to tell, I think it’s possible, but not likely. The duo’s prior work on Prey laid the groundwork for a number of iconic Easter eggs, including the flintlock pistol Danny Glover got in Predator 2. However, with Badlands said to be set in a wasteland and filmed in New Zealand, it seems unlikely for a connection to be made to prior installments barring the titular alien’s arrival, though with how well Trachtenberg handled this in Prey, I’m certainly okay with no direct references.
Preyfelt very character-focused, with Naru’s weapons just being one small extension of herself.Predator: Badlands’s focus on the Predator means that the weapons would necessarily have to be much more futuristic, since it has long been established that the Predators have very advanced technology. The CinemaCon footage shows the Predator riding something like a speeder bike and using a sword whose edge heats up. While this is undeniably a big change fromPrey, it is very exciting and makes sense in the differing context ofPredator: Badlands.
Predator: Badlands
Cast
Predator: Badlands is a science fiction film set for release in 2025, building on the longstanding Predator franchise.
