Exciting Developments in the Predator Franchise
Last year, Steve Asbell, the head of 20th Century Studios, made headlines with an unexpected announcement to The Hollywood Reporter: the studio is set to release not one, but two new Predator films in 2025!
Unveiling the New Projects
The first film, titled Predator: Badlands, is a live-action project directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously gained acclaim for the film Prey. This anticipated installment will feature Elle Fanning in a leading role. The second, a previously undisclosed venture, has now been announced as Predator: Killer of Killers.
Trailer Release and Streaming Information
20th Century Studios released the trailer for Killer of Killers on Tuesday, revealing its debut set for June 6, 2025, on major streaming platforms Hulu and Disney+.
The film’s logline presents an intriguing anthology narrative, which will track three formidable warriors from history:
- A Viking raider guiding her son on a quest marked by blood and revenge;
- A ninja in feudal Japan who confronts his Samurai brother in a harrowing struggle for power;
- A World War II pilot airborne to detect a supernatural threat endangering the Allied forces.
Despite their lethal prowess, these heroes find themselves pitted against an even greater foe—a being described as “the ultimate killer of killers.”
Creative Team Behind the Project
Dan Trachtenberg, who has quickly established himself as a pivotal figure within the Predator franchise, will direct this project alongside Josh Wassung from the animation company The Third Floor. The screenplay has been crafted by Micho Robert Rutare, based on an intriguing story created in collaboration with Trachtenberg.
Looking Back at Prey
Trachtenberg’s prior work on Prey, a sleeper success for Hulu released in 2022, featured Amber Midthunder as a Comanche woman confronting a Predator in her time. The impact of this film prompted a discussion about future directions for the franchise.
“After the success of Prey, Dan came back with a desire to explore new concepts,” Asbell shared last year. “When we asked him what ideas he had, he outlined several wild but compelling options. We’ve ultimately decided to pursue two of them.”
What’s Next for Predator: Badlands
In addition to Killer of Killers, Trachtenberg’s live-action film Predator: Badlands is set for a theatrical release on November 7. Initial reactions at CinemaCon last week hinted at a unique storyline twist. Fanning mentioned, “Something unprecedented occurs in this movie, as my character is not the one being hunted; instead, she allies with the Predator, revealing a fascinating new perspective on the creature.”