Fans of the long-standing Predator series received exciting news with the announcement that Dan Trachtenberg, who reenergized the franchise with the 2022 release of Prey, will be directing not one but two upcoming films. These include a live-action adventure thriller titled Predator: Badlands and an animated feature that remains shrouded in mystery.
During the Disney presentation at CinemaCon, no details emerged regarding the animated film; however, new information about Predator: Badlands was unveiled. Alongside featuring creatures that are larger and more grotesque, equipped with advanced high-tech weaponry never seen before in the series, the film introduces a novel concept: portraying the Predator, traditionally an intergalactic big-game hunter, as potentially the protagonist.
Elle Fanning, the star of Badlands, addressed the CinemaCon audience, stating, "Something unprecedented happens in this movie. My character teams up with the Predator, offering viewers a new perspective on the character."
The initial footage depicted a series of scenes: a lair adorned with skulls, and a voiceover by Fanning stating, "I didn’t think you survived." The setting shifts to an alien planet characterized by vast, barren landscapes as a spaceship enters the frame.
The trailer, announcing "The deadliest hunter returns to the big screen," showcases the Predator traversing a mountain. Fanning’s character is shown with white eyes that roll back into her head. The entire environment, including plants and creatures, appears distinctly alien.
The trailer labels the setting as "a planet of hurt," where the Predator finds itself being hunted. These newer creatures present a more formidable challenge compared to the Predators, as they are larger and more grotesque. Fanning’s character remarks, "You’re hunting something that can’t be killed."
A scene highlights the Predator in the foreground, his hair seemingly pulled back into a ponytail, as he releases a characteristic snarl with his four fangs. The object of this reaction is revealed to be an enormous beast, leaping into the frame.
Predator: Badlands is scheduled for release in theaters on November 7.
