Predator: Badlands — New Predator Movie Set for November Release

The first live-action Predator film in some time will arrive in theaters this November, and today, 20th Century Studios released the first teaser trailer for Predator: Badlands, introducing audiences to a young Predator outcast (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) on a quest to restore his honor against an enemy “that can’t be killed.”

Predator: Badlands centers on Dek, a young Predator outcast who has been exiled from his society. He will be joined by a human-technology hybrid named Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani android whom he meets in his search for a mysterious treasure. Together, they’ll be confronting what is described as “the ultimate adversary” in the teaser, a mysterious beast that can’t be killed.”

On one hand, the reveal for this summer’s upcoming Predator movie harkens back to familiar themes. At least part of the story takes place on the Predator’s homeworld, which will be featured for the first time in the film series. The first trailer features glimpses of otherworldly terrains and Predator cities, along with shots of several Predators engaged in confrontations and combat with one another.

On the other hand, Predator: Badlands will be an entirely new approach to the Predator film series, and its first teaser appears to signal an earnest look into the rich lore of the Predator franchise. Directed and co-written by Prey’s Dan Trachtenberg, the first teaser appears to set up a significant focus on the mythology of the Predator universe.

One of the most interesting takeaways from the trailer for Predator: Badlands is its intention to go deeper into the Predator universe, both when it comes to worldbuilding and exploring the cultures and social norms that may be present within it. A shot of the word “clan” being scribed in alien writing strongly suggests that we’ll be exploring Predator lore in the coming months, especially given the “community engagement” component to how the story is being described.

Predator: Badlands will likely be a standalone film, one that exists within the shared universe of both Predator and Alien, but will not directly tie into any other installment in the series. Still, these breadcrumbs scattered throughout the first teaser hint at several other intriguing possibilities and avenues for the series, not the least of which is the debut of Predator’s home planet.

Producer Avi Arad says there’s “lots more to come” from the ‘Predator’ film universe after the new entry ‘Badlands’, and films seem to explore both new and exciting concepts for the series. In terms of first looks at the movie, this first teaser had limited screentime to explore the premise. Most of the focus was on the concept itself, with glimpses at otherworldly scenery, some scenes featuring Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as the titular Predator, and even hints at an internal conflict with other members of the species.

More teasers and trailers in the coming months will likely reveal more information and information on the premise and story beats of the movie. In particular, audiences will be hoping to see more of the film’s monster, glimpses of what the story entails, and more details on how Trachtenberg and co-writer Patrick Aison will be telling a story featuring a Predator at its center.

For now, the first Predator: Badlands teaser trailer offers audiences some first looks at the new entry in the series, a new entry in the 2023 movie lineup, and a new entry in the storied Predator film franchise. The first live-action Predator movie in years will be released in theaters on November 7, 2023, and it should have more details about the Predator/Alien movie universe to come in the months to come.

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