The iconic hunter returns: the official teaser trailer for the upcoming sci-fi action sequel Predator: Badlands has just been released online.
In these first glimpses (see below), we're introduced to star Elle Fanning's character, who appears to inhabit a perilous remote planet in the future. However, the Predator she encounters seems fundamentally different from previous iterations - suggesting this alien might actually serve as the protagonist. "The director of Prey welcomes you to a world of pain," declares the ominous teaser text.
Beyond this reimagined Predator design, eagle-eyed viewers have spotted clear connections to the Alien franchise, fueling speculation that Badlands might be setting up a new Aliens vs Predator crossover. A striking moment shows Fanning's eyes flashing with the Weyland-Yutani corporation logo - the same visual effect seen on synthetics in Alien: Romulus. The trailer also briefly reveals the Weyland-Yutani emblem (the notorious corporation central to the Alien universe) on a wrecked vehicle.
First announced in February 2024, Predator: Badlands had its release date confirmed later that October. While the trailer premiered exclusively at CinemaCon earlier this month, this marks its first public availability.
At CinemaCon, 20th Century Studios shared the official synopsis: "In the future on a distant world, a young Predator, exiled from his kind, forms an unlikely alliance with human survivor Thia as they undertake a dangerous quest to find the ultimate opponent."
"This film breaks new ground," Fanning revealed to reporters at CinemaCon. "For the first time, my character isn't prey - she actually partners with the Predator. You'll experience this legendary hunter in ways never seen before. And... I shouldn't say more!"
Helmed by Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane, Prey) who co-wrote the screenplay with Patrick Aison, Predator: Badlands is scheduled to hit theaters November 7, 2025.
