Predator: Badlands Takes New Direction with Elle Fanning’s Surprising Role

LAS VEGAS, Nev. — Fans of the Predator franchise received exciting news at CinemaCon when director Dan Trachtenberg revealed details about the upcoming film, Predator: Badlands. Scheduled to hit theaters on November 7, this installment promises a fresh perspective on the iconic intergalactic hunter.

Trachtenberg, who reinvigorated the series with the 2022 film Prey, has crafted a narrative that flips the monster-hunting trope on its head. According to star Elle Fanning, audiences will see the Predator in a new light. “Something unprecedented happens in this movie,” Fanning said during the presentation. “My character teams up with the Predator.” This innovative plot twist raises intriguing questions about the nature of heroism in a world where the lines between predator and prey are blurred.

The trailer unveiled at CinemaCon provided a glimpse of the film’s stark alien landscape, which features a lair eerily filled with skulls. Fanning’s voice cuts through, stating, “I didn’t think you survived,” as the audience is transported to an unrecognizable planet. An ominous spaceship flies across the horizon, hinting at the extraterrestrial danger looming ahead.

As the visuals unfold, the trailer asserts, “The deadliest hunter returns to the big screen.” The Predator is shown traversing a harsh mountain terrain, while Fanning’s character, depicted with striking white eyes, hints at her otherworldly connection. Described in the teaser as “a planet of hurt,” the setting is characterized by hostile flora and fauna, introducing new grotesque creatures that pose a significant threat.

The film’s tension is amplified as Fanning’s character implies, “You’re hunting something that can’t be killed.” In a pivotal scene, the Predator, with his signature hair tied back, snarls fiercely—his foreboding presence underscored by an unseen threat lurking nearby.

This installment appears to diverge from previous films, leaning less towards slasher horror and instead embracing elements of an intergalactic survival thriller. The emotional stakes are elevated as viewers witness the Predator fighting not only for survival but also against a backdrop of monstrous opponents. Trachtenberg’s vision for Predator: Badlands aims to rejuvenate the franchise for both new and veteran fans alike.

As excitement builds ahead of the film’s release, industry observers and fans will be watching closely to see how this beloved series continues to evolve under Trachtenberg’s guidance.