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]
