Predator Badlands Trailer Breakdown Explained: Elle Fanning Teams With a Predator in Shocking Twist
By Azeem_USA
The hunt is evolving! We just got the first look at Predator: Badlands, the latest entry in the iconic sci-fi action franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg (Prey, 10 Cloverfield Lane) and co-written with Patrick Aison, the film stars Elle Fanning and Demetrius 'Lil Meech' Flenory Jr. (hopefully, I pronounced that right!). Trachtenberg aims for a hat trick after his previous successes. Will Badlands deliver when it hits screens on November 7th? Let's break down this thrilling first trailer.
Table of Contents
Introduction
The anticipation has been building, and now we finally have our first look at Predator Badlands, the latest entry in the long-running sci-fi action franchise. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, who previously revitalized the series with 2022's "Prey," this new film appears to be taking the franchise in an entirely new direction. The trailer reveals something unprecedented: Elle Fanning teams up with a Predator instead of being hunted by one.
Released by 20th Century Studios, the trailer gives us our first glimpse of what promises to be a bold new chapter in the Predator mythology. Let's dive into what we've learned from this exciting first look.
Trailer Breakdown
The teaser trailer for Predator Badlands opens with a stunning shot of what appears to be a trophy room, showcasing the Predator's collection of skulls from various species. Among them, some eagle-eyed fans have pointed out what might resemble the skull of an Independence Day alien, though this is likely just an Easter egg rather than a literal connection.
We hear Elle Fanning's character, Thia, saying, "I didn't think you survived," suggesting she already has some history with this particular Predator. We then see glimpses of a remote planet setting, with Thia warning, "You're hunting something that can't be killed," hinting at a formidable adversary that even a Predator might struggle against.
The most surprising aspect of the trailer is the clear indication that Thia will team up with the Predator character, rather than being hunted by it. This flips the traditional Predator narrative on its head and presents a fascinating new dynamic for the franchise.
According to the official synopsis:
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.
Elle Fanning's Synthetic Character Revealed
In a shocking revelation that appears around the 26-second mark of the trailer, we see Elle Fanning's eyes roll back to reveal the Weyland-Yutani logo, confirming that her character Thia is a synthetic or "artificial person" created by the infamous corporation from the Alien franchise.
This reveal mirrors a similar scene in "Alien: Romulus" (2024) where the character Andy's synthetic nature was shown through the same visual cue. It's a significant moment that firmly establishes a connection between the Predator and Alien franchises within this new film.
At CinemaCon earlier this month, Fanning herself teased this unprecedented direction for the film:
Something unprecedented happens in this movie. My character is not the one being chased. My character actually teams up with the Predator. And you get to see him in a completely new light.
The Weyland-Yutani Connection
The revelation that Elle Fanning's character is a Weyland-Yutani synthetic is the most explicit connection between the Alien and Predator franchises we've seen in a mainline film from either series since the skull Easter egg in "Predator 2" (1990).
Weyland-Yutani, often referred to as "The Company," is the malevolent megacorporation that plays a central antagonistic role throughout the Alien franchise. Their motto "Building Better Worlds" masks their true intent: to acquire and weaponize the xenomorph species, often at the expense of human lives.
The presence of a Weyland-Yutani synthetic in "Predator: Badlands" raises numerous questions: Why is the corporation on this remote planet? Are they aware of the Predator species? Are they perhaps hunting for xenomorphs, which could be the "ultimate adversary" referenced in the synopsis?
This connection also strengthens the possibility that we might be heading toward a new official Alien vs. Predator crossover in the near future.
Dan Trachtenberg's Vision
Dan Trachtenberg has established himself as a visionary director who knows how to breathe new life into established franchises. After his work on "10 Cloverfield Lane" and "Prey," he's become known for subverting expectations while honoring the core elements that fans love.
With "Predator: Badlands," Trachtenberg is taking his boldest swing yet by making the Predator itself the protagonist. In recent comments, he's described the film as a "big, crazy swing" and expressed excitement about the dramatic performance of Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who plays the Predator.
Trachtenberg has mentioned that the team developed an imaginary Yautja language for the film and that Schuster-Koloamatangi fully immersed himself in the role despite his face never being on camera. The director has indicated that through the course of the film, the Predator character "starts to feel a little bit more like Conan [the Barbarian]," suggesting an arc that transforms him from a hunter into a hero of sorts.
Predator as Protagonist: A First for the Franchise
"Predator: Badlands" marks the first time in the franchise's history where a Predator takes center stage as the protagonist. Rather than being portrayed solely as an unstoppable killing machine, this Predator appears to be an outcast from his clan, giving the character a more nuanced portrayal.
This approach allows the audience to see the Predator species from a new perspective and potentially sympathize with what has traditionally been the franchise's monster. It's a bold narrative choice that could open up the mythology of the Predator species in exciting new ways.
The trailer suggests a more character-driven approach to the Predator, showing vulnerability and perhaps even growth as it forms an alliance with Thia against a greater threat. This humanization of the alien hunter represents a significant evolution for the franchise.
Alien vs. Predator: The Inevitable Crossover?
With the Weyland-Yutani connection firmly established, speculation is naturally building about a potential new Alien vs. Predator crossover. The original AVP films (released in 2004 and 2007) were commercial successes but critical disappointments. Now, with both franchises enjoying creative resurgences ("Prey" and "Alien: Romulus"), the time may be right for another crossover.
Fede Alvarez, director of "Alien: Romulus," has openly discussed his interest in a potential new AVP film, even suggesting he might like to co-direct it with Dan Trachtenberg. In a recent interview with Collider, Alvarez shared his vision for how such a crossover should be approached:
The way I would do it, most likely, if it could be done this way... The best AVP will be the one that you don't know is AVP until the other guy shows up. You think you're watching a Predator movie, and then they land in some place and there are creatures, and fucking hell, it's a Xenomorph. That would get me... Or vice versa, you're in an Alien movie, and then suddenly a mysterious creature is there, and you can hear that sound, and you see the cloak, and you go, 'Is that a fucking Predator?' And then turns out it is. That would be the way to do it, don't you think? Once you put it in the title, it's like, 'Spoiler alert.'
This aligns with comments from 20th Century Studios Head Steve Asbell, who said that another AVP would "probably" happen but that "it wouldn't be in the way you think. Not in the way that it will just be called Alien vs. Predator or anything like the original movies."
Could "Predator: Badlands" be setting the stage for such a surprise crossover? The "ultimate adversary" mentioned in the synopsis certainly has fans speculating that it might be a xenomorph.
Release Date and Production Details
"Predator: Badlands" is scheduled to hit theaters and IMAX on November 7, 2025. The film is directed by Dan Trachtenberg from a screenplay he co-wrote with Patrick Aison. John Davis and Brent O'Connor are serving as producers.
The film stars Elle Fanning as Thia and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as the Predator protagonist. Additional cast details have been kept under wraps, though the trailer does show other human characters will be involved in the story.
Filming took place in New Zealand, with the production reportedly utilizing both practical effects and CGI for the Predator character, continuing the franchise's tradition of blending these techniques.
Conclusion
The first trailer for "Predator: Badlands" promises a bold new direction for the franchise, one that flips the traditional hunter-prey dynamic on its head and potentially builds stronger connections to the Alien universe. By making the Predator the protagonist and revealing Elle Fanning's character to be a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, Dan Trachtenberg appears to be taking the franchise into uncharted territory.
Whether this approach will result in a direct Alien crossover remains to be seen, but the groundwork is certainly being laid. With both franchises currently enjoying critical and commercial success, the stage seems set for an exciting new chapter in the ongoing saga of these iconic sci-fi creatures.
"Predator: Badlands" releases in theaters and IMAX on November 7, 2025, and based on this first trailer, it's shaping up to be one of the most intriguing entries in the franchise to date.
Author: Azeem_USA
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