Thescreescore – Despite a trailer hinting at a deep dive into Predator culture and the Yautja homeworld, director Dan Trachtenberg reveals Predator: Badlands, slated for a November 7th, 2025 release, will only offer a "nibble." This seventh installment in the Predator franchise follows outcast Predator Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and his android ally Thia (Elle Fanning) as they navigate a perilous alien planet in search of an apex predator to reclaim Dek’s place within his clan.
In a San Diego Comic-Con 2025 interview with thescreescore.com’s Joe Deckelmeier, Trachtenberg clarified his approach: He wanted to avoid bogging down the narrative with excessive lore. "The movie starts on the Predator home planet, so we get a glimpse," he explained, "but I didn’t want to get bogged down in the senatorial disagreements between Yautja trade alliances." The focus, he stressed, remains on the intense, action-packed hunt, with only a fleeting glimpse into Yautja society.
This strategic choice is understandable, given the film’s unique premise of a Predator protagonist. The majority of the runtime, judging by trailers showcasing Dek battling ferocious alien creatures and even rival Yautja, will likely be dedicated to exploring this new character dynamic and his desperate struggle for survival. The Yautja homeworld, while visually teased, serves as a brief prologue rather than a central setting.
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Trachtenberg’s decision echoes a conscious avoidance of the pitfalls seen in certain other sci-fi franchises, subtly referencing the over-reliance on political intrigue in some Star Wars prequels. He prioritizes thrilling action and character development over extensive world-building, a smart move given the franchise’s recent success with Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. By focusing on what fans crave – intense action sequences, brutal kills, and compelling characters – Predator: Badlands aims to maintain the franchise’s momentum.
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