First Teaser for Predator: Badlands Promises New Monsters

Fans of the Predator franchise had a rare and very exciting day, as it is not often that the live-action canon gets a new installment. It is even more uncommon for a Predator movie to have the extraterrestrial monster at its center. But today, 20th Century Studios released the first teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands, a fresh take on the series that flips the franchise’s formula and puts the alien at the forefront of the narrative as the lead protagonist.

A significant change to the series’ formula was also made as Predator: Badlands’ main character is a young Predator, Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. It’s been established that Dek is an outcast from his people, which may be key in the movie as he allies with the android Thia (played by Elle Fanning) to combat “the ultimate enemy” — “something that can’t be killed.” From the few glimpses of the “unkillable” foe, that is, a massive beast unlike any creature from either the Alien or Predator series.

Building the Universe Around the Predator

Badlands is set in the long-running shared universe of the Predator and Alien series. The new installment will not be connected to the other movies, but the already-released information and hints give the impression that Badlands will do some worldbuilding in the expanding franchise. Namely, the rumors that part of the movie will take place on the Predator’s homeworld, which, to this day, has not been explored by the series. In the first teaser, it was also possible to see alien flora and fauna, Predator communities, and more than one Predator engaged in various face-offs or ritual battles.

Dan Trachtenberg is the director of the new movie, and he also co-wrote the screenplay with Fabian Frandziak. The director has been vocal about his interest in Predator mythology, culture, and language, and would like to depict the aliens’ infighting as well as cover the intricacies of the Yautja honor code in Badlands. Prey, which Trachtenberg also directed, was well-received and even successful, both critically and financially, for a franchise film. The movie on Hulu had great word-of-mouth, which means that Trachtenberg will be returning to direct a much-anticipated new installment.

The director has also been confirmed to return as the head of a new Predator series that is being made for Hulu as well. Predator: Killer of Killers is an animated anthology series that will tell the stories of the titular alien on different hunts in diverse eras. Killer of Killers is scheduled to premiere on Hulu on June 6.

The New Predator of the Badlands

Of course, one of the most visible faces in the first teaser is Elle Fanning’s android, Thia. The movie character stands out as, in the brief time in which she’s on screen, she displays moments of curiosity, almost emotion, while also being mechanical and emotionless. Fanning’s android is another, even more direct connection between the Alien franchise and Predator: Badlands. It is still unknown how much influence Weyland-Yutani Corporation and technology will have on the events of Badlands.

Building on a Strong Footing

TrTrachtenberg’s role as a director was one of the very first announcements for Predator: Badlands and one of the major selling points of the project. Prey revitalized the series and became a genuine success story for a franchise film. On Hulu, where it was available, Prey was able to develop a strong word-of-mouth reputation, which means that Trachtenberg has been entrusted by 20th Century Studios as the face of their new take on Predator.

The details of the plot remain largely unknown for the moment, but there are several things that can be discussed about this first trailer. A very important note is that the teaser showed Predators in armor clashing against one another, Dek, a Predator, making his way in an unknown land, Thia using her arms and weapons, and a few very small glimpses at the “unkillable” being hunted by the protagonists. The landscape is alien and very lush, but the environment is but one part of an undoubtedly large-scale production.

Predator: Badlands has been given a November 7 release date in theaters. There will undoubtedly be several more trailers released between now and then, which will reveal more information on the plot, setting, and new features that Trachtenberg and the Badlands team will be bringing to the audience.