Predator Badlands: New Trailer Reveals Predator's Story of Being Hunted on Planet Kalisk

Liputan6.com, Jakarta The latest installment in the iconic franchise, "Predator: Badlands," is set to hit the big screen with a premise that subverts fan expectations.

Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, the man behind the success of "Prey" (2022), the film is scheduled for release on November 7, 2025.

"Predator: Badlands" is the seventh entry in the main series and the ninth overall, promising a fresh and thrilling cinematic experience.Unlike previous films, "Predator: Badlands" will feature the Predator as the hunted, not the hunter.

The story centers on Dek, a young Predator outcast from his clan, and his unexpected ally, Thia, an android from Weyland-Yutani.

The two will face various threats on the remote planet of Kalisk, known as the "Death Planet."

The latest trailer, released by 20th Century Studios on July 21, 2025, provides a clearer glimpse into the intense action and plot.

The trailer features intense battles against giant beasts, armed soldiers, and even kaiju-like entities. The film also officially ties into the "Alien" franchise through the presence of Weyland-Yutani, adding a new dimension to the "Predator" universe.

"Predator: Badlands" will debut in US theaters on November 7, 2025.

The film will be available in various premium formats such as IMAX, Dolby Cinema, RealD 3D, Cinemark XD, 4DX, and ScreenX, promising an immersive visual experience for audiences.

This release date gives the production team ample time to perfect every detail, given the extensive use of visual effects (VFX).

Dan Trachtenberg, the director who has proven his skills with "Prey" and "10 Cloverfield Lane," returns to direct "Predator: Badlands."

He also co-wrote the screenplay with Patrick Aison, who was also previously involved with "Prey."

Trachtenberg's presence is expected to maintain the quality of the narrative and action that have become his trademark, while also bringing new innovations to the "Predator" franchise.

Two big names have been confirmed as the leads in "Predator: Badlands." Elle Fanning will play Thia, a young android or synthetic created by Weyland-Yutani.

Thia's character is shown suffering a severe injury in the trailer, similar to Bishop's fate in "Aliens," requiring her to be carried by Dek, creating a dynamic similar to Chewbacca and C-3PO.

Meanwhile, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi will play Dek, a young Predator outcast from his clan.

Dek becomes the protagonist in the film, seeking to prove himself by seeking out the "ultimate enemy."

The relationship between Thia and Dek is central to the story, showcasing an unexpected alliance between two traditionally hostile species.

Dek's physical design involved the use of a creature costume with digital enhancements for subtle facial expressions, adding depth to the Predator character.

"Predator: Badlands" is set in the future, taking place on a remote planet called Kalisk, also known as the "Death Planet."

The film's central premise is a role reversal, where the Predator is now the prey.

The story follows Dek, a young, exiled Predator, on his quest to confront the "ultimate enemy" to prove his worth to his clan.During his journey, Dek finds an unlikely ally in Thia, a synthetic from Weyland-Yutani.

The film's trailer shows the two facing a variety of threats, ranging from giant beasts and armed soldiers to kaiju-like entities.

Weyland-Yutani's involvement explicitly ties "Predator: Badlands" to the "Alien" franchise, opening up the possibility of a broader and more complex narrative within the shared universe.

The latest trailer for "Predator: Badlands" was released on July 21, 2025, with the catchy tagline: "First hunt. Last chance."

The trailer not only showcased innovative weaponry and new creature designs, but also hinted at a potential crossover with "Alien" through the Weyland-Yutani connection.

These details in the trailer heightened expectations for an action-packed and surprising film.

Production-wise, "Predator: Badlands" was intended as a standalone entry focusing on Predator culture and their homeworld, Yautja Prime, or Kalisk.

A consistent Predator language was developed specifically for the film by the same linguists who created the Na'vi language for "Avatar."

Filming concluded in late October 2024, with extensive use of visual effects in every scene, demonstrating a commitment to cinematic quality.

The film's producers included John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O'Connor.

Dan Trachtenberg revealed that he had three "Predator" movie ideas after the success of "Prey," and he plans to direct a sequel depending on the success of "Predator: Badlands."

The film draws stylistic and thematic inspiration from a variety of sources, including the works of Frank Frazetta, Terrence Malick, "Conan the Barbarian," "Mad Max 2," "The Book of Eli," Clint Eastwood's Western films, and the video game "Shadow of the Colossus."

This demonstrates a rich and diverse approach to constructing the atmosphere and narrative of "Predator: Badlands."