Washington D.C., US – July 26, 2025 – Fans at Comic-Con were treated to an exclusive first look at the highly anticipated science fiction action film, ‘Predator: Badlands’, with the unveiling of its initial fifteen minutes during a panel. The film marks a significant evolution for the ‘Predator’ franchise, introducing a Predator as the central protagonist for the first time in its 38-year history.
‘Predator: Badlands’, the seventh mainline film and ninth overall in the popular franchise, is directed by Dan Trachtenberg, known for his critically acclaimed 2022 entry, ‘Prey’. Trachtenberg co-wrote the script with Patrick Aison and boasts a compelling cast led by Elle Fanning (’13 Reasons Why’ fame Devin Druid as Stan, and ‘American Horror Story’ star Ash Santos are in the ‘Crossed’ film, not ‘Badlands’) and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.
The Comic-Con panel kicked off with a dramatic entrance, as one of the Predator warriors appeared on stage, scanning the Hall H audience with its signature multi-color vision before focusing on moderator, filmmaker Kevin Smith. Smith, known for his humorous quips, lightened the mood by joking, “I don’t speak [Predator] Yautja, but I’m pretty sure he said something about the Jeffrey Epstein files!” He also playfully teased whether Trachtenberg would venture into the ‘Alien vs. Predator’ universe, a suggestion that garnered enthusiastic cheers from the crowd.
An Unlikely Alliance and a New Narrative
Dan Trachtenberg, alongside Elle Fanning, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, and VFX maestro Alec Gillis, then took the stage to delve deeper into ‘Predator: Badlands’. The film’s plot centers on Dek, a young Predator outcast from his clan, who forms an unlikely alliance with Thia, a synthetic android, on his quest to find and hunt the ultimate adversary. This marks a groundbreaking narrative shift, placing a Predator at the forefront of the story.
Elle Fanning elaborated on the script, emphasizing its emotional depth. “It has so much heart and emotion. Prey definitely had that, but what made [Badlands] unique is that there are no humans in this film. I play a synthetic android. Dimitrius is a Predator,” Fanning revealed. “There’s an unlikely friendship among these two characters. I will say, I do play two parts in the film. There are two characters that I play.” She also highlighted the film’s commitment to practical effects, stating, “We shot in New Zealand. There are practical effects. It’s not like you’re acting against a tennis ball,” which was met with cheers from the audience. This marked Fanning’s first time in Hall H, a major Comic-Con venue.
Inside the First 15 Minutes: A Glimpse into Predator Society
The unveiled 15-minute sequence provided a compelling insight into the Predator world and the film’s core conflict. It showcased a heated exchange between an older Predator brother, Kwei, and his younger sibling, Dek, who is viewed as the tribe’s weakest link by his brother and father. Following an argument, Dek is tasked with choosing his prey. However, when their formidable father arrives on their harsh desert canyon world, he confronts Kwei, questioning why he hasn’t eliminated his “useless” younger brother, the runt of the family.
The intense scene culminates with Dek being trapped by his father in laser chains. He is then dramatically saved by his brother, Kwei, who ultimately engages their father in a fierce, albeit losing, battle. Before his defeat, Kwei seals Dek into a spaceship and launches him to a distant “Death Planet” called Kalisk. On this perilous world, Dek is meant to confront and kill an “ultimate apex predator” that even their father supposedly fears, as a final test of his worth.
On the Death Planet Kalisk, Dek encounters Fanning’s character, Thia. In a visually striking introduction, Thia is revealed as a synthetic android who has clearly seen better days, with a stitched-up face and the lower half of her body missing. In a unique dynamic, Dek straps the damaged Thia to his back, carrying her as he embarks on his perilous quest to bring back the “unkillable creature” as a trophy for his father. This confirms the film’s connection to the larger ‘Alien’ franchise through the presence of a Weyland-Yutani android.
‘Predator: Badlands’ is scheduled for theatrical release on November 7, 2025, distributed by 20th Century Studios. The franchise originated in 1987 with the iconic John McTiernan-directed, Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring original. Over its 38-year run, the ‘Predator’ universe has also expanded to include two crossover films with Ridley Scott’s ‘Alien’ franchise. With Trachtenberg at the helm, whose previous entry ‘Prey’ was a critical and commercial success, ‘Predator: Badlands’ promises a fresh and engaging take on the beloved sci-fi action series, focusing on themes of survival, trust, and unlikely friendships in a truly dangerous alien world.