SDCC (San Diego Comic-Con) 2025 has provided fans with an exciting insight into the upcoming film Predator: Badlands. The new film, which is expected to be an expansion to the universe of the franchise, is set to be directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who directed the critically successful prequel Prey (2022). Trachtenberg is set to bring the franchise into a more primitive setting, where it will begin to expand into more prehistorical eras. Trachtenberg is also known for his stylish atmospheric direction, which will be on display in this film. He is working off a script co-written by Patrick Aison who, as mentioned, worked on Prey.Predator: Badlands does not continue the story from the 2022 film; instead, it exists on its own as a new addition to the Predator lore. Confirmation exists that it is now set to take place in the future on a distant planet depicting a young, exiled Predator called Dek and his unexpected friendship with a synthetic creature named Thia, played by Elle Fanning. Other hints and sources suggest that Trachtenberg surmised a return to a historical ‘badlands’ setting, suggesting it was originally meant as the setting. Nonetheless, the director has shown the willingness to do a trilogy of Predator films, stating that his plans with Badlands were part of his larger vision. Additionally, another of Trachtenberg’s projects, Predator: Killer of Killers, recently added an extended finale featuring Dutch and Mike Harrigan, played by Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover, as well as Naru, portrayed by Amber Midthunder from Prey, sparking the idea that there may be some connecting elements through Terrchtenberg’s films. It is set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025.
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