‘Predator: Badlands’ Will Feature a Predator Character as the Protagonist We Root For

The Predator franchise will return to the big screen in November 2025 with Dan Trachtenberg’s (10 Cloverfield Lane) Predator: Badlands, with Elle Fanning starring in a brand new story. Speaking with Empire, Trachtenberg has dropped one hell of an exciting tease.

The main protagonist of the upcoming Predator: Badlands? A PREDATOR!

“The creature is front and centre, leading the charge,” Trachtenberg tells Empire. “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.”

Like with Prey, Trachtenberg’s goal with Predator: Badlands was to “push the franchise’s boundaries,” allowing fans the opportunity to root for the Predator this time around.

Empire also notes in the sneak preview piece today, which additionally includes a behind the scenes shot from Badlands (below), that the film takes place entirely on an alien planet.

Predator: Badlands releases in theaters on November 7, 2025, with Trachtenberg recently teasing that he also directed a second mysterious Predator movie for release next year. That project is likely to be some kind of streaming movie, rumored to be animated. Stay tuned.

Owned by Disney under the 20th Century Studios umbrella, the Predator franchise of course kicked off with the original action-horror classic in 1987. That was followed by sequels Predator 2, Predators, The Predator, and Prey, as well as the two Alien vs. Predator movies. The long-running franchise also includes all kinds of comic books and games.