20th Century Studios shifts towards PG-13 film production, risking the Predator franchise’s identity.
Predator: Badlands finally had its trailer reveal, and the response to it from fans has been a mixed bag. The art and craft of movie-making is falling into disrepair, thanks to a battery farm-style approach to production and distribution.
Streaming services have yielded some interesting stories, but on the whole, it’s a suck ass opportunity to shovel poop to us.
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Everything that made the franchise great has been decimated into a million pieces of CGI mulch. Where on earth did Hollywood lose the plot? Not only are they dragging and beating their products to perform, but they’re also providing them with a transparent set design.
The director, Dan Trachtenberg, responsible for the ghastly movie Prey, whose only saving grace was its lead, Amber Midthunder, and the fact that its script was in the native Comanche language, is at the helm of this irresponsible use of intellectual property.
The Plot of Predator: Badlands
The film is set in the future and follows ‘Dek,’ a young Predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), ostracised from his clan.
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He finds himself in a dangerous wasteland in a faraway planetary system, forming an unlikely alliance with a Weyland-Yutani android, Thia (played by Elle Fanning), as they confront a host of extraterrestrial foes that include giant monster-like creatures.
Shared Universe with Independence Day
From the outset of the trailer, we see the traditional trophy display cabinet of skulls–this time hinting at a shared universe with the Harvester alien species from Independence Day.
There is also a human, a primate, a Tyrannosaurus Rex, and what appears to be the skeletel remains of a human-xenomorph hybrid, as well as other humanoid remains.
Production Details
The production outlets behind the film are 20th Century Studios and Davis Entertainment. It’s produced by John Davis (Predator 1 & 2, The Predator and Prey) and Brent O’Connor (Alien: Romulus). The cinematography was captured by Jeff Cutter, who is known for his work on The Boys, while the set decoration and art direction were handled by Gareth Edwards, Ra Vincent, Zahra Archer, and Andy McLaren.
Fan Reaction and Expectations
There’s a distinct split in how this will be received, with some in love with what has been previewed, while others feel it doesn’t display the archetypal Predator style.
One fan exclaimed, “Seeing Predators roaming the Galaxies, hunting various types of game from various planets. My life is complete.” Another said, “The Predator is the main character now, that’s awesome.” One thanked the director for his commitment: “Huge shoutout to Dan Trachtenberg for doing justice to one of my favourite franchises. Prey was awesome and I’m hoping this and ‘Killer of Killers’ (another film out later this year) will be just as good if not better.”
Purists, however, have condemned its execution, while some feel the franchise has been stretched too thin: “They really need to just let the franchise go already. There’s no mystery left to the Predator,” while another fan quipped, “That was legitimately awful. You can really get the feel of a guy in a suit there.” One questioned the acting skills of Fanning, “One look at Elle Fanning and I can see they have gone back to casting models who act, so I’m out unless it gets amazing reviews.”
Our Verdict
There’s a tale of two approaches: one being losing your touch, and the other? Having no touch at all.
Predator: Badlands appears to be an effort lost in its marketing, bending to the will of studios whose only goal is to fast-track movies out into a theatrical release for a quick buck. While there are some elements that are appealing, ultimately, it looks to fall short of the original movies. At this point, why not just drag Arnold Schwarzenegger out of retirement to bash him over the head with his dumbbells?
Let’s be honest with ourselves, this movie is a trip for those who love the idea of the Yautja, but it’s fan-made at best. We all want to see them roaming the universe, hunting, gallivanting with weapons of mass destruction, but this falls short of expectations, and we’re kidding ourselves if we think this is going to be good. Just like Trachtenberg’s first effort, this will be a cheesy capitalisation on a franchise that is now being watered down and losing its fear factor.
Release date
The film is set to release in theatres on the 7th November 2025, and will also be screened in IMAX.
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