The Predator franchise is taking a bold leap into uncharted territory with its newest installment, Predator: Badlands. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, known for 2022’s Prey, the film breaks new ground by centering entirely on the alien predators themselves—turning the narrative lens away from the humans who typically dominate the story.
Speaking to a packed audience at San Diego Comic-Con, Trachtenberg shared that the inspiration for Badlands came from a simple but compelling observation: “The predator never wins.” In nearly every film since the 1987 original starring Arnold Schwarzenegger, the alien hunters ultimately lose to human protagonists. With Badlands, Trachtenberg decided it was time to shift the story in favor of the so-called villains and give audiences a deeper look into their world.
Set to hit theaters on November 7, the science fiction film is being developed by 20th Century Studios and marks the seventh main movie in the Predator saga, and the ninth overall in the broader franchise. But this time, the twist is dramatic—there are no human characters at all.
Elle Fanning, who stars as Thia, an android, explained the unique challenge of performing in a completely fictional realm. Without any familiar human context, the actors had to fully immerse themselves in the imagined world of the Yautja, the name for the predator species.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi takes on the lead role of Dek, a young Yautja on a solo mission through a hostile environment where even more dangerous creatures lurk. Along his journey, Dek forms an unlikely bond with Thia. Describing the character, Trachtenberg said, “He’s ferocious and badass, very much an anti-hero.”
Perhaps the most daunting aspect of the role was mastering the fictional Yautja language, which plays a central part in the film’s authenticity. The Comic-Con panel gave fans a thrilling taste of what’s to come, complete with a live appearance by a predator figure prowling the stage with glowing weapons and atmospheric music.
Predator: Badlands is poised to redefine the franchise by diving deep into the culture, language, and inner world of its legendary alien hunters—offering a rare perspective on characters once seen only as enemies.
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