After Prey re-energized the Predator franchise with a savage yet soulful throwback to 18th-century Comanche territory, Dan Trachtenberg isn’t just resting on his laurels — he’s doubling down. The first teaser for Predator: Badlands (in theaters November 7, 2025) gives fans their best look yet at where this iconic sci-fi hunter mythos is headed, and spoiler: it involves a young, exiled Predator going through what might as well be teenage angst... but with more plasma and predator blades.
How a Teen Predator Turns an Ancient Hunt Into a Modern Hero’s Journey
One of the most striking moves in Badlands is putting a youthful Yautja front and center — not just as a menace, but as a protagonist with a story arc. The Predator, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, isn’t just surviving; he’s growing. Trachtenberg, who’s expertly steered the franchise back to form with Prey (earning four Emmy noms and a win for sound editing), now gives us a full-on origin/adolescence tale for the alien hunter. And it’s messy, emotional, and absolutely badass.
Exiled from his clan for reasons we can only guess at (though the trailer teases some serious political intrigue within Yautja society), our Predator doesn’t just want to prove himself — he wants to survive. The journey through the “Badlands” isn’t merely a hunt; it’s a rite of passage. Think of it like Logan meets Bloodsport in space — but with more alien skulls and less muttering.
Elle Fanning’s Dual Role Adds a Layer of Mystery and Humanity to the Alien Chaos
Then there’s Thia. Played by Elle Fanning, who continues to impress with roles across genres (from The Great to Angel), her presence in Badlands is nothing short of intriguing. Variety reports she plays twin sisters, but the teaser — and fan theories — suggest something wilder is at play. One of Thia’s personas may be a Weyland-Yutani synthetic. Her cold, calculating gaze in certain scenes contrasts sharply with her more human moments, hinting at a potential Alien-style android twist.
Fanning’s multiple roles mirror the Predator’s own duality — hunter and outcast, warrior and vulnerable. Her chemistry with the Predator, as unlikely allies on a hostile world, flips the script on the franchise’s usual lone-wolf dynamic. This isn’t just another bloody showdown; it’s a partnership born of necessity, and maybe, just maybe, trust.
The Teaser’s Hidden Easter Eggs Ignite Hope for an Alien vs. Predator Rebirth
For the fans who live for lore and logos, the Badlands teaser is a treasure trove. In under a minute, we get glimpses inside a Predator ship adorned with trophies that make no promises about what’s next — an Independence Day alien skull? A T. rex fossil? The Predator franchise is clearly embracing its mythological side, and it's loving every second of it.
But it’s the Weyland-Yutani logo — smeared, worn, but unmistakable — that really lights the fuse. Spotted on a damaged yellow truck in the trailer’s final moments, it signals more than just brand synergy. This is a tease of a larger universe in motion. Disney’s stewardship of both Alien and Predator properties under one roof may finally be delivering on the crossover dreams (and nightmares) fans have had since AVP days.
And with Thia’s possible synthetic nature, plus the presence of a massive, kaiju-like creature that even the Predator seems unprepared for, we might be looking at the first step toward a new Alien vs. Predator saga — one that actually matters.
What Predator: Badlands Means for the Future of the Franchise
Trachtenberg’s return to the director’s chair, alongside co-writer Patrick Aison, marks a creative throughline that fans can trust. After Prey gave the franchise its soul back, Badlands is giving it character. It’s no longer just about the hunt — it’s about identity, exile, and evolution. And doing it all while looking cooler than ever.
With two Predator films coming this year (the other being the animated Predator: Killer of Killers), we’re witnessing a renaissance for a series that’s been stuck in the mud since the '90s. And the best part? We're not just getting more blood — we're getting meaning.
Whether Badlands leads to a teen Predator time-traveling back to fight knights, or unlocks a full-fledged Alien vs. Predator cinematic universe, one thing is clear: the Predator is no longer just a hunter. He's now a hero, a teen, and maybe even a legend in the making.