Elle Fanning Joins Forces With A Predator In Badlands

Within the Predator franchise, the narratives typically cast humans as the protagonists and Predators as the antagonists. These two groups have clashed in fierce, life-or-death confrontations in various settings, including the dense jungles of Central America, the expansive plains of the United States, and the bustling streets of Los Angeles. However, in Predator: Badlands, the dynamic is flipped, positioning the Predator as the central character.

20th Century Studios has unveiled the first teaser for Predator: Badlands, introducing audiences to a harsh new world. The story follows Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a Predator who finds himself ostracized from his own clan. While navigating this unfamiliar planet, Dek encounters Thia (Elle Fanning), an apparent android affiliated with the Weyland-Yutani corporation.

The logline indicates that the Predator is on a perilous quest for “the ultimate adversary.” Yet, Thia warns Dek that he may be “hunting something that can’t be killed.” The teaser culminates in an intense standoff between the Predator and a dinosaur-like beast before revealing the film’s title.

If you find yourself cheering for the Predator, that was precisely the intention of director Dan Trachtenberg. He shared with Empire that he aimed to push the franchise’s boundaries by allowing audiences to root for a character typically seen as a villain, thereby creating a unique perspective: “And that transformed into this big idea of rooting for the Predator.”

Trachtenberg directs Badlands based on a screenplay he co-authored with Patrick Aison. He successfully revitalized the Predator series with the 2022 release of Prey, which showcased a young Comanche woman battling a merciless Predator in the Great Plains in 1719. The film streamed on Hulu in August 2022, achieving significant viewership and critical praise, including six Emmy nominations.

In 2025, fans can look forward to two new Predator films. Trachtenberg has collaborated with Micho Robert Rutare on an animated anthology titled Predator: Killer of Killers. This sci-fi adventure follows three exceptional warriors—a Viking raider, a ninja, and a WWII pilot—as they engage in thrilling confrontations with Predators. Predator: Killer of Killers will be available to stream on Hulu starting June 6.

This year, Predator: Badlands is set to hit theaters on November 7.