Predator: Badlands
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Get ready. The hunt is on.
Prepare for Predator: Badlands, the electrifying new chapter in the legendary franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the visionary behind Prey, this is the seventh film overall, and the ninth installment in the epic Predator saga. Starring the incredible Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, Badlands is set to redefine the Predator universe.
In the desolate future, on a world far from home, a young Predator, an outcast from his own kind, finds an unexpected ally in Thia. Together, they embark on a perilous quest for the ultimate adversary.
The cast is stellar. Elle Fanning takes on dual roles as Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani synth, and Tessa, her formidable counterpart. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi embodies Dek, a young Predator ostracized for his size, and also Njohrr, his formidable father and clan leader who demands Dek's demise. Mike Homik joins as Kwei, Dek's older brother, who aids him in preparing for his crucial first hunt.
This isn't just another Predator film. Inspired by the raw power of Frank Frazetta, the contemplative beauty of Terrence Malick, and the grit of classic Westerns and action films like Mad Max 2 and The Book of Eli, Badlands plunges us into the heart of the Predators' homeworld. For the first time, we delve deep into their culture, with a fully developed Predator language created by the linguist behind Avatar's Na'vi. And in a groundbreaking shift, the Predator, Dek, is our protagonist, not our prey.
The visual spectacle is breathtaking. Studio Gillis crafted Dek's unique creature suit, while digital enhancements brought his nuanced emotions to life. Wētā Workshop lent their mastery to the practical effects, and every single shot is a testament to the unparalleled work of Industrial Light & Magic, Wētā FX, and a host of other visual effects powerhouses.
The score, a powerful blend of tension and awe, is composed by Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch, reuniting with Trachtenberg after their incredible work on Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers.
Predator: Badlands makes history as the first film in the mainline series to earn a PG-13 rating, a testament to its broad appeal.
And the story doesn't end on screen. A tie-in prequel comic from Marvel Comics will expand the universe, setting the stage for the events you're about to witness.
Get ready for a journey into the unknown. Get ready for Predator: Badlands. In theaters November 7, 2025.
Predator: Badlands is an upcoming American science fiction action film directed by Dan Trachtenberg. It is the sixth live-action film, seventh overall film, and ninth installment in the Predator franchise. The film stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.
Predator: Badlands is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States by 20th Century Studios on November 7, 2025.
== Premise ==
In the future on a remote planet, a young Predator, outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary.
== Cast ==
Elle Fanning as:
Thia, a damaged Weyland-Yutani (Wey-Yu) synth who partners with Dek.
Tessa, a Wey-Yu synth who opposes Thia and Dek.
Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as:
Dek, a young Predator outcast for being a runt.
Njohrr / Apex Predator, Dek and Kwei's father, and leader of the Clan, who wants Dek's death.
Mike Homik as Kwei, Dek's older brother, who helps him to prepare for his first hunt.
== Production ==
In February 2024, it was revealed that a standalone film in the Predator franchise titled Badlands was in development, set to be directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously directed and co-wrote the story of Prey (2022) and Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), and co-written by Patrick Aison, who wrote Prey. Writers Brian Duffield, Bryan Fuller, Patrick Somerville, and Ben Schwartz are credited for "additional literary material (not on-screen)". The director cited stylistic and thematic influences from the works of Frank Frazetta and Terrence Malick, Conan the Barbarian, Drax the Destroyer, the films Shane (1953), Mad Max 2 (1981), The Book of Eli (2010), as well as Clint Eastwood Westerns, and the video game Shadow of the Colossus (2005). In June, Elle Fanning was in talks to join the film in a dual role, with her casting confirmed in August.
Drawing influence from the franchise's expanded universe, Badlands is intended to be a self-contained entry in the series, set on the Predators' home-world and focusing on the culture of their species. To this end, a consistent written and verbal language for the Predators was developed for the film by the linguist who created the Naʼvi language for the film Avatar (2009). In a departure from previous films, the Predator, Dek, is the protagonist rather than an antagonist. Dek is portrayed by stuntman Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who also learned the Predator language specifically for the role. To create Dek's physical appearance, Studio Gillis designed a creature suit to portray Dek's body, while Dek's face was digitally enhanced using motion capture computer animation to convey more subtle emotional expression. Wētā Workshop also contributed to the films practical effects and designs. The fictional Weyland-Yutani Corporation featured in the Alien franchise (and created by screenwriter Dan O'Bannon for the 1979 film Alien) appears in the film.
Principal photography began in New Zealand by August 27, 2024, under the working title Backpack, and wrapped in late October. Jeff Cutter served as the cinematographer, after previously working with Trachtenberg on Prey. Olivier Dumont and Kathy Siegel served as the film's production visual effects supervisor and visual effects producer, respectively, creating the film's computer-generated imagery through visual effects vendors Industrial Light & Magic (ILM), Wētā FX, Rising Sun Pictures, Trixter, Important Looking Pirates, The Yard VFX, and Framestore. According to Trachtenberg, every shot of the film required visual effects work.
In October 2025, Sarah Schachner and Benjamin Wallfisch were revealed to have composed the musical score, having previously worked with Trachtenberg on Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers, respectively.
== Release ==
In June 2025, it was announced that Predator: Badlands would have a Hall H presentation at San Diego Comic-Con later that year. It had its UK premiere at BFI IMAX in London on October 28, 2025. The film is scheduled to be theatrically released in the United States on November 7, 2025, in RealD 3D and IMAX. Predator: Badlands marks the first film in the mainline Predator series to be given a PG-13 rating by the Motion Picture Association, after its predecessors were all rated R.
A tie-in prequel comic book, set shortly before the events of Predator: Badlands, written by Ethan Sacks and illustrated by Elvin Ching, with a cover by Juan Ferreyra, will be published on November 12, 2025, by Marvel Comics.
== Future installments ==
Trachtenberg has stated he had three initial Predator films in mind to make after the success of Prey; depending on the success of Predator: Badlands, he plans to direct the third planned project.
== References ==
== External links ==
Official website
Predator: Badlands at IMDb
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