20th Century Studios has officially released the first trailer for Predator: Badlands, the sixth film in the iconic Predator franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the action-packed sci-fi film is set to hit theaters and IMAX on November 7, 2025.
A New Setting, A New Alliance
In a major twist for the franchise, Predator: Badlands takes the story far into the future on a distant planet. The plot centers around a young Predator, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who finds himself cast out from his own clan. On this alien world, he forges an unlikely alliance with Thia, played by Elle Fanning, a resilient human caught in the chaos. Together, they embark on a perilous journey to hunt down the ultimate adversary, blurring the lines between hunter and hunted.
Elle Fanning Tackles a Double Role
Fanning is set to portray twin sisters in the film, bringing her dramatic range and sci-fi credentials to the forefront. Known for her critically acclaimed role as Catherine the Great in Hulu’s The Great, Fanning has also starred in Super 8, Maleficent, The Neon Demon, and James Mangold’s A Complete Unknown, where she appeared opposite Timothée Chalamet. Her presence adds both emotional depth and star power to the franchise’s evolution.
Dan Trachtenberg Returns to the Director’s Chair
Trachtenberg, who previously revitalized the Predator universe with 2022’s Prey, is once again steering the ship. Prey, set in the 1700s and centered on a young Comanche warrior, earned widespread praise and scored six Emmy nominations, winning for Outstanding Sound Editing. Building on that success, Trachtenberg has not only directed Badlands, but also co-wrote the script with returning screenwriter Patrick Aison.
In addition to his work on Prey, Trachtenberg has directed acclaimed projects such as 10 Cloverfield Lane, The Boys, Black Mirror, The Lost Symbol, and BlackBoxTV. His distinct visual storytelling and character-driven narratives have made him a key creative force in genre filmmaking.
Expanding the Predator Universe
Badlands isn’t the only Predator project Trachtenberg has in the pipeline. He’s also behind the upcoming animated series Predator: Killer of Killers, which is set to premiere on Hulu on June 6. With both a theatrical film and an animated series, the Predator franchise is poised for a major comeback.
A Legacy That Spans Decades
The Predator franchise began in 1987 with the original film directed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers. Made on a $15 million budget, it went on to gross nearly $100 million worldwide. Since then, the extraterrestrial hunter has appeared in Predator 2 (1990), Predators (2010), The Predator (2018), and crossovers with the Alien franchise.
With Badlands, the series is taking a bold new direction—one that redefines the predator-prey dynamic and expands its mythos in exciting ways.
Production Team Behind the Scenes
The film is produced by Brent O’Connor, with Richard Cowen serving as co-producer. Additional producers include John Davis, Marc Toberoff, and Ben Rosenblatt, all working together to deliver a visually striking, narratively fresh entry in the long-running saga.
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