The upcoming film, Predator: Badlands, marks a significant shift from the successful elements of its predecessor, Prey. Released on Hulu in 2022, Prey garnered widespread acclaim and rapidly became one of the platform’s most viewed offerings. Its success revitalized the franchise, overcoming a series of mixed-to-negative entries and rekindling interest among studios and audiences alike in the fierce yet honorable alien hunters that define the Predator series.
Returning to direct Predator: Badlands is Dan Trachtenberg, who previously helmed Prey, alongside co-screenwriter Patrick Aison. Trachtenberg’s successful approach in Prey demonstrated a keen understanding of what makes the Predator entity compelling. This foundation of quality instills hope for Badlands. However, footage unveiled at CinemaCon raised some concerns about the direction the sequel is taking, suggesting a departure from the successful elements that characterized Prey.
Predator: Badlands Is Taking A Big Risk By Doing The Exact Opposite Of What Made Prey Great
A Predator From Antiquity Was Refreshing For The Franchise
Details from the CinemaCon preview, though not available for public viewing, indicate a shift toward a more futuristic and “otherworldly”aesthetic for Predator: Badlands. The footage showcased a Predator on a speeder bike wielding a heated sword, alongside a formidable new foe that allegedly cannot be vanquished. Notably, star Elle Fanning introduced the footage, revealing that her character collaborates with the film’s primary Predator, suggesting a team-up dynamic.
The theatrical release for Predator: Badlands in the United States is set for November 7, 2025. Unlike Prey, which returned to the franchise’s primal violence roots, focusing on the direct conflict between a lone warrior and the Predator, Badlands appears to navigate new narrative territory, featuring a collaboration between humans and Predators as well as delving into the franchise’s expansive timeline. While this pivot could yield fresh storytelling opportunities, it raises questions about the shift away from the formula that successfully reinvigorated the franchise.
If This Is Predator: Badlands, I Hope We Get A Proper Prey 2 In The Future
The 2022 Surprise Hit Deserves To Be Revisited
There has already been speculation that Predator: Badlands may not tie back to Prey, despite initial thoughts that the title could reference the setting where Naru and her fellow Comanche warriors hunted. As it stands, Badlands is designed as a standalone film rather than a continuation of past narratives. This decision amplifies the need for a direct sequel to Prey, which deserves exploration in the near future.
|
All Predator Franchise Movies |
|||
|---|---|---|---|
|
Movie |
Release Date |
RT Tomatometer Score |
RT Popcornmeter Score |
|
Predator |
1987 |
80% |
87% |
|
Predator 2 |
1990 |
30% |
44% |
|
Alien vs. Predator |
2004 |
22% |
39% |
|
Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem |
2007 |
12% |
30% |
|
Predators |
2010 |
65% |
52% |
|
The Predator |
2018 |
34% |
32% |
|
Prey |
2022 |
94% |
74% |
|
Predator: Badlands |
2025 |
N/A |
N/A |
|
Prey 2 |
TBD |
N/A |
N/A |
Fortunately, a sequel to Prey has been confirmed, and while Predator: Badlands takes precedence, a follow-up to Prey could materialize soon thereafter under Trachtenberg’s direction. Although specific story details remain elusive, Amber Midthunder has shown enthusiasm for reprising her role as Naru and has hinted that she is aware of some exciting concepts for the sequel. The original Prey delivered a captivating narrative that merits exploration following Predator: Badlands, particularly with one of the franchise’s most compelling protagonists since Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch on board.