Predator: Badlands

Last updated

Predator: Badlands
Predator Badlands Poster.jpg
Teaser poster
Directed by Dan Trachtenberg
Screenplay by
  • Patrick Aison
Story by
  • Dan Trachtenberg
  • Patrick Aison
Based on
Produced by
  • John Davis
  • Dan Trachtenberg
  • Marc Toberoff
  • Ben Rosenblatt
  • Brent O'Connor
Starring
CinematographyJeff Cutter
Edited byStefan Grube
Production
companies
Distributed by 20th Century Studios
Release date
  • November 7, 2025 (2025-11-07)
CountryUnited States
LanguageEnglish

Predator: Badlands is an upcoming American science fiction action film in the Predator franchise. It is the seventh film in the mainline series and ninth in the overall franchise, while also incorporating elements from the Alien franchise. The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, from a screenplay by Patrick Aison, and stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.

Contents

Predator: Badlands is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 7, 2025, by 20th Century Studios.

Premise

In the future on a remote planet, a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.

—  The Walt Disney Company [1]

Cast

Production

Development

In February 2024, it was revealed that a standalone film in the Predator franchise titled Badlands was in development, set to be directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously directed and co-wrote the story of Prey (2022) and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), and co-written by Patrick Aison, who wrote Prey. [4] The director cited stylistic and thematic influences from the works of Frank Frazetta and Terrence Malick, Conan the Barbarian , Drax the Destroyer , the films Shane (1953), Mad Max 2 (1981), The Book of Eli (2010), as well as Clint Eastwood Westerns, and the video game Shadow of the Colossus (2005). [3] In June, Elle Fanning was in talks to join the film in the lead role, [5] with her casting confirmed in August. [6]

Drawing influence from the franchise's expanded universe, Badlands is intended to be a self-contained entry in the series, set on the Predators' home-world and focusing on the culture of their species. [7] [8] To this end, a consistent written and verbal language for the Predators was developed for the film by the linguist who created the Naʼvi language for the film Avatar (2009). [8] [7] In a departure from previous films, the Predator, Dek, is the protagonist rather than an antagonist. [9] Dek is portrayed by stuntman Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who also learned the Predator language specifically for the role. [8] To create Dek's physical appearance, Studio Gillis designed a creature suit to portray Dek's body, while Dek's face was digitally enhanced using motion capture computer animation to convey more subtle emotional expression. [8] [3] [7] Wētā Workshop also contributed to the films practical effects and designs. [3] The fictional Weyland-Yutani Corporation featured in the Alien franchise (and created by screenwriter Dan O'Bannon for the 1979 film Alien ) appears in the film. [2]

Filming

Principal photography began in New Zealand by August 27, 2024, under the working title Backpack, [6] and wrapped in late October. [10] Jeff Cutter served as the cinematographer, after previously working with Trachtenberg on Prey. [11]

Post-production

Olivier Dumont and Kathy Siegel served as the films production visual effects supervisor and visual effects producer, respectively, creating the films computer-generated imagery through visual effects vendors Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Wētā FX, Rising Sun Pictures, Trixter, Important Looking Pirates, The Yard VFX, and Framestore. [12] [3] According to the director, every shot of the film required visual effects work. [3]

Release

Marketing

In June 2025, it was announced that Predator: Badlands would have a Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con later that year. [13]

Theatrical

Predator: Badlands is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 7, 2025 [14] in RealD 3D and IMAX. [15]

Other media

Future

Dan Trachtenberg has stated he had three initial Predator films in mind to make after the success of Prey; depending on the success of Predator: Badlands, he plans to direct the follow-up. [16]

Comic books

A tie-in prequel comic book, set shortly before the events of the Predator: Badlands, written by Ethan Sacks and illustrated by Elvin Ching, with a cover by Juan Ferreyra, was published by Marvel Comics. The one-shot is set to release on November 12, 2025. [17]

References

  1. ↑ "The Walt Disney Studios Showcases Upcoming Film Slate at CinemaCon 2025". The Walt Disney Company . April 3, 2025. Retrieved April 5, 2025.
  2. 1 2 3 Hood, Cooper (April 23, 2025). "Elle Fanning's Surprise Predator: Badlands Character & Major Alien Franchise Connection Explained". Screen Rant . Retrieved April 24, 2025.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Donato, Matt (April 23, 2025). "'Predator: Badlands'– Dan Trachtenberg Previews His "Big, Crazy Swing" [Interview]". Bloody Disgusting . Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  4. ↑ Kroll, Justin (February 9, 2024). "Dan Trachtenberg To Direct New Standalone 'Predator' Movie 'Badlands' As 20th Century Expands On Universe". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on February 9, 2024. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
  5. ↑ Kroll, Justin (June 3, 2024). "'Badlands': Elle Fanning Eyed To Star In New Standalone 'Predator' Pic From 20th Century And Dan Trachtenberg". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on June 3, 2024. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  6. 1 2 Hamman, Cody (August 27, 2024). "Predator: Badlands details revealed by casting call". JoBlo.com . Archived from the original on August 27, 2024. Retrieved August 27, 2024.
  7. 1 2 3 Cavanaugh, Patrick (April 8, 2025). "Predator: Badlands Director Dives Deep Into Developing the Creature's Language". ComicBook.com . Retrieved April 23, 2025.
  8. 1 2 3 4 Chris (April 10, 2025). "Predator: Badlands will introduce Yautja Prime, Predator language & expand the lore!". predator-movies.com. Retrieved April 26, 2025.
  9. ↑ Travis, Ben (November 16, 2024). "Predator: Badlands Will Have The Predator As Its Hero: 'The Creature Is Front And Centre'". Empire . Retrieved February 22, 2025.
  10. ↑ Kit, Borys (October 24, 2024). "A Secret 'Predator' Movie, An 'Alien' Sequel and 'Speed 3' on the Table: A Chat with 20th Century Studios Boss Steve Asbell". The Hollywood Reporter . Archived from the original on October 24, 2024. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  11. ↑ "Jeff Cutter Resume" (PDF). admin.wp-a.com. Retrieved April 6, 2025.
  12. ↑ Frei, Vincent (July 21, 2025) [April 25, 2025]. "Predator: Badlands". artofvfx.com. Retrieved July 24, 2025.
  13. ↑ "Disney is Putting the Hunter in Hall H." Heat Vision. The Hollywood Reporter . June 27, 2025. Retrieved July 23, 2025.
  14. ↑ D'Alessandro, Anthony (October 22, 2024). "Marvel Studios' 'Blade' Removed From 2025 Release Schedule, Disney Dates 'Predator: Badlands' Instead". Deadline Hollywood . Archived from the original on October 22, 2024. Retrieved October 22, 2024.
  15. ↑ "20th Century Studios Releases New Action-Packed 'Predator: Badlands' Trailer" (Press release). The Walt Disney Company. July 21, 2025. Retrieved July 22, 2025.
  16. ↑ West, Amy (June 16, 2025). "Prey director teases secret new project after Predator: Killer of Killers and Predator: Badlands: "I sort of rushed two at once because I was so eager to get to the third thing"". GamesRadar+ . Retrieved June 17, 2025.
  17. ↑ Ross, Patrick (August 21, 2025). "The 'Predator: Badlands' movie is getting a Marvel prequel comic". AIPT. Retrieved August 21, 2025.
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.