Predator: Badlandsdirector Dan Trachtenberg reveals that his upcoming movie features a franchise first in terms of its protagonist, and a first-look image is shared. Trachtenberg’sPrey(2022) was well-received by audiences and a viewership hit for Hulu, reinvigorating thePredatorfranchise, and the filmmaker is now set to return with a follow-up film. Elle Fanning leads thePredator: Badlandscast, and, though details regarding the movie’s plot are being kept under wraps, it will take place in the future.
In a recent interview withEmpire, Trachtenberg reveals thatPredator: Badlandsmakes the Predator itself the protagonist for the first time in the franchise. The reason behind the change, he explains, was a desire to “find another essential piece of cinema that does what Prey did spiritually — pushing the franchise’s boundaries, letting us root for a hero we rarely get to root for — but in a different way. And that transformed into this big idea of rooting for the Predator.”
As for what audiences can expect from the Predator protagonist in the film, the creature will feature a mix of the old and the new in terms of how it is portrayed on screen, Trachtenberg explains, including an emotional component:
“The creature is front and centre, leading the charge. He’s still badass, but there’s something there that touches you emotionally, too. Creating a character you connect with, but are also super-intimidated by, has been challenging. But exciting.”
In addition to confirming thatPredator: Badlandstakes place on an alien planet, Trachtenberg also reveals that Fanning will be playing multiple characters. “She faced intense challenges on this movie — dramatically, physically, logistically,” the director teases.
Finally, theEmpirearticle also features a first-look image. The image features Trachtenberg standing on set with the back of the Predator’s head visible in the foreground. Though the creature’s iconic mask is blurry, it does have a distinctive, rust-like coloring. Check out the image below:
What A Predator Protagonist Means For Badlands
How Fanning Could Fit Into The Narrative
In every previous installment, the Predator has been experienced mostly through the eyes of human characters. In the original film, this human character was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch, and inPreyit wasAmber Midthunder’s Naru. Though Fanning’s casting confirms that human characters will still play a role inPredator: Badlands, Trachtenberg’s latest protagonist reveal suggests that audiences are in for a jarring point-of-view shift.
New Predator Movie Casting Makes It More Exciting After Surprising Prey 2 Decision
The addition of Elle Fanning to the celebrated Predator franchise is both unexpected and intriguing as Disney shifts focus from its Prey sequel.
With the Predator itself as the protagonist, that leaves several possibilities open for Fanning’s character(s). It’s possible that one of her characters could be an antagonist, butit seems more likely that the narrative will feature some kind of uneasy truce between Fanning and the Predator. That way, audiences will still have a human character to relate to, and their dynamic could have that combination that Trachtenberg describes of connection and intimidation.
In addition toBadlands,Trachtenberg is still attached toPrey 2, which does not yet have a release date.
Our Take On Predator: Badlands' Franchise First
Trachtenberg Has A Strong Track Record
Though thePredatorfranchise has never had a proper Predator protagonist, theAlien vs. Predatorspinoff movies do provide some indication of what might be to come. The first one, for example, features Lex (Sanaa Lathan) teaming up with a Predator named Scar to defeat a Xenomorph Queen. Neither of these spinoff movies were particularly well-received, buta Predator serving as an ally to humans in the face of a common enemy is a unique idea.
After both10 Cloverfield Lane(2016) and thecritically-acclaimedPrey,Trachtenberg has proven himself an exciting director, especially when it comes to putting new twists on existing franchises. Creating a level of emotional attachment to a Predator inPredator: Badlandswithout taking away from its intimidation factor could prove challenging, but Trachtenberg certainly seems like the perfect filmmaker for the job.
Predator: Badlands
Cast
Predator: Badlands is a science fiction film set for release in 2025, building on the longstanding Predator franchise.
