It's hard to make a Predator movie that does something truly different. The groundbreaking original movie starring Arnold Schwarzzeneggar came out in 1987, and since then each installment has largely reinvented the same formula of a dangerous alien hunting down an unfortunate group of humans in search of the strongest quarry. Then along came Prey, a period piece prequel film directed by Dan Trachtenberg where the Predator clashed with a Comanche warrior on the Great Plains in the early 1700s. It was a breath of fresh air for the franchise. And now, Trachtenberg looks poised to do it again.
Today, 20th Century Studios unveiled the first teaser for Predator: Badlands, its next live-action Predator film which releases on November 7. And holy s*** does it look amazing. For the first time ever, the Predator is the main character of the story, as a young member of the iconic alien race goes on a deadly hunt on a remote alien world. Check it out:
Predator: Badlands plot
We've heard rumbles about Predator: Badlands for quite a while now, but it's beyond exciting to finally get our first real glimpse of the movie. It stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as the lead Predator, named Dek, and Elle Fanning as a human with mysterious powers named Thia. The official press release for the movie says that Predator: Badlands "is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in Thia (Fanning) and embarks on a treacherous journey in search of the ultimate adversary."
Predator: Badlands will be a new kind of Predator movie
Fanning's Thia is the only human character we see in the trailer. It gives much more focus to Dek, who faces off against other Predators, vicious sentient vines, and some sort of massive alien beast. The Predator has occasionally been a more sympathetic figure in the film franchise, such as in the Alien vs. Predator movies, but on the whole there has never been a Predator movie which put viewers into their perspective in the way Badlands will. Dek's expressions even look more human and animated than your average Predator, which is crazy. I can't wait to see some behind-the-scenes footage on how this movie was created.
Predator: Badlands will see Dan Trachtenberg return to the director's chair, and is produced by Trachtenberg, John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O'Conner.
Beyond the excitement over the plot of the movie, the other thing about this trailer that makes me absolutely lose it is that it confirms Predator: Badlands will get a theatrical run, including IMAX. Prey was a straight-to-Hulu release, and given its incredible reception (including the franchise's first and only Emmy Award win), it's always felt like a huge missed opportunity that it didn't go to theaters. It's nice to see 20th Century learn the right lessons from Prey's success by giving Predator: Badlands this kind of treatment. If any theaters want to do a Prey and Predator: Badlands double-feature, I know I'll be all over there!
Predator: Badlands cast
As of this writing, the only two cast members known for Predator: Badlands are Elle Fanning as Thia and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as the Predator Dek. We don't even know if there are any other human characters aside from Thia, though there are undoubtedly other actors portraying different Predators. We'll have our ear to the ground for casting updates.
When does Predator: Badlands come out?
Predator: Badlands isn't even the only Predator movie coming out this year. The animated movie Predator: Killer of Killers is slated to release on Hulu on June 6. That one is an anthology film which sees the Predator face off against a Japanese ninja, Vikings, and a World War II fighter pilot. It's a good year to be a Predator fan.
Predator: Badlands is out in theaters on November 7.
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