Predator Franchise Expands with Two Films Starting with ‘Predator: Badlands’

The Predator franchise is roaring back with not one, but two new films set to release in 2025. Following the success of Prey in 2022, director Dan Trachtenberg returns to helm both projects, including the hotly anticipated Predator: Badlands, slated for a cinematic debut on 7 November 2025. The second project, shrouded in mystery, is expected to arrive earlier in the year and may land on a streaming platform.

20th Century Studios president Steve Asbell revealed the plans in a recent interview, explaining that Trachtenberg opted not to create a direct sequel to Prey, choosing instead to explore fresh ideas. “Dan rattled off a bunch of concepts that were really crazy but really cool,” said Asbell. “We’ve actually done two of them.”

While Predator: Badlands is the only officially announced project, speculation swirls about the second film, which could delve into uncharted territory for the franchise. Asbell hinted at more ambitious developments, teasing the possibility of an Alien/Predator crossover movie. He was quick to clarify, however, that any such collaboration would be a far cry from the original Alien vs. Predator films. “If we do this, it’ll be organically created from these two franchises, with characters we fall in love with,” he said.

A Legacy Reignited

The Predator franchise began its journey in 1987 with the release of the Arnold Schwarzenegger-led original, a groundbreaking blend of sci-fi, action, and horror that introduced audiences to the now-iconic extraterrestrial hunter. Its sequel, Predator 2 (1990), expanded the lore by shifting the battle to the urban chaos of Los Angeles, establishing the franchise’s adaptability to different settings. Over the years, the series has evolved with entries like Predators and Prey, demonstrating its capacity for reinvention while maintaining its core tension and thrills.

Badlands Brings New Energy to the Predator Saga

Directed by Trachtenberg, who previously wowed audiences with 10 Cloverfield Lane and Prey, Predator: Badlands stars Elle Fanning in what promises to be a bold new chapter in the series. The film, shot on location in New Zealand under the working title Backpack, follows two sisters as they uncover terrifying secrets about their past while traversing a desolate wasteland.

With a reported $100 million budget, Predator: Badlands aims to blend the franchise’s signature action and horror elements with a more intimate character-driven story. Fanning’s casting has generated significant buzz, marking her first foray into the world of Predator. The film wrapped principal photography in October 2024 and is deep into post-production.

As the countdown to Predator: Badlands begins, audiences can expect more updates on the mystery project and the franchise’s evolving future.

Prey trailer