Two years ago, the Predator franchise was revitalized with a fresh and original concept in Prey, where a Native American girl faced off against the Predator armed with only a tomahawk and bow in the 18th century. The film's unique setting and approach made it both exciting and rewatchable. Now, director Dan Trachtenberg is continuing to push boundaries with his upcoming Predator film, Predator: Badlands. According to Trachtenberg, this time, the iconic Yautja won’t just be a terrifying foe—it will also play the role of a hero.
The latest issue of Empire magazine delves into Predator: Badlands alongside Star Wars: Andor’s second season. Trachtenberg and 20th Century Studios are working on multiple Predator projects, but the main highlight is Badlands, set to release in theaters next year. Speaking to Empire, Trachtenberg revealed that he’s breaking away from the traditional depiction of the Predator by making the Yautja the central character:
“This creature is in the spotlight, at the center. This time, the ball is in its court. While it remains as badass as ever, there’s also something emotionally moving about it. Creating a character we can connect with emotionally while still being deeply afraid of it is a big challenge—but it’s an exciting one.”
Trachtenberg explained that his motivation for this idea was the same as it was with the 18th-century setting and the inclusion of Native Americans and fur trappers in Prey: to expand the boundaries of the franchise. This time, the audience will develop an emotional connection to the Yautja, which is rare for this series. In previous installments, the Predator was usually viewed through the lens of fear or antagonism, except for the Alien vs. Predator films, where we rooted for the Yautja against the bloodthirsty Xenomorphs and hybrid creatures. However, even in those movies, the Predator was more of a secondary character, with human protagonists taking the emotional spotlight.
Predator: Badlands seeks to change this dynamic by positioning the alien hunter as a character we’ll relate to. But don’t worry—humans still play a key role. Elle Fanning is set to star, portraying multiple characters in the film.
The Empire article also features a behind-the-scenes photo showing Trachtenberg on set, with the Predator faintly visible in the background. Predator: Badlands is currently scheduled to hit U.S. theaters on November 7, 2025.
