Overview

• In a new Empire interview, Trachtenberg states unequivocally that Predator: Badlands will not feature a Xenomorph despite the Weyland-Yutani connection.
• The film centers on a young Yautja named Dek paired with Elle Fanning’s Weyland-Yutani synthetic, Thia, in what the director calls a relationship story with a buddy dynamic.
• Set on the alien world Genna, the movie showcases survival against monsters and harsh elements, including imagery of Thia’s upper torso strapped to Dek’s back.
• Trachtenberg says he steered away from a direct Prey sequel to deliver “something that hadn’t existed before,” positioning a Predator as the sympathetic lead.
• Predator: Badlands opens in theaters November 7, 2025, with reports naming Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek and with Badlands following the animated Predator: Killer of Killers.