It’s learned that the Predator will actually be the hero of the upcoming Predator: Badlands movie which sees Dan Trachtenberg returning to direct following Prey.
The info comes via Empire Online who has a featured interview and article about the flick.
“The creature is front and center, leading the charge,” Trachtenberg reveals. “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.”
Trachtenberg continues and says the idea came from a 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.”
Trachtenberg also confirms that Predator: Badlands will star Elle Fanning, and confirms the rumors Fanning will play more than one character. The article further confirms the flick is set in the future taking place on an alien planet.
“She faced intense challenges on this movie — dramatically, physically, logistically,” Trachtenberg teased.
Possible Predator: Badlands spoilers
Previous rumors have said Fanning is actually playing twins, Thia and Tessa, who leave their home and go off on their own. Descriptions have said the characters identify as female or non-binary.
“Thia has spent most of her life in a laboratory and is now embarking on her first big adventure in the world. She is incredibly smart, witty, enthusiastic, and unflappable. She has an innate disregard for danger, not because she’s fearless, but simply because she’s naive. Strong comedy chops required,” stated the leaked info, which continued, “The other sister, Tessa, has a militant intensity when it comes to achieving her family’s goals and mission objectives. She will not let anything get in her way, not even her twin sister.”
With Predator: Badlands taking place in the future on an alien planet, what might be happening is that the Predator teams up with Eli Fanning’s character or characters. It almost sounds similar to Enemy Mine.
Trachtenberg also directed another Predator movie which will be released before Predator: Badlands. Best guess it’s animated and set in the past or throughout the past.
Predator: Badlands gets released in theaters on November 7, 2025.
