Great news, “Predator” fans: a new pic in the franchise is on the way. And no, it’s not “Prey 2,” although that’s still very much in development. Deadline reports that 20th Century has greenlit “Badlands,” a new standalone tale in the franchise, with “Prey” director Dan Trachtenberg returning to direct. And Patrick Aison, who wrote “Prey,” also returns for the new sequel, with he and Trachtenberg working on the story of “Badlands” together. Even better: “Badlands” is one of 20th Century Studios’ top priorities, with the studio and Trachtenberg already meeting with actors.
The film has no plot details yet, but if its title hints at anything, this could be another “Predator” movie centered around indigenous peoples. The Badlands region of the United States is a large swath of southwestern South Dakota, known for its beautiful and rugged rock formations and barren landscape. So a movie like “Prey” with a Native American lead character could be in play. Or alternatively, this could be some kind of “Predator” movie with Western genre trappings: the alien hunter picking off cowboys one by one. Of course, there’s nothing definitive about “Badlands” right now, but feel free to speculate away.
It’s no surprise that 20th Century Studios wants another “Predator” movie, and fast. “Prey” broke viewership records for Hulu when it hit the streamer in 2022, winning unanimous praise from critics and earning six nominations at the Emmys this year, including Outstanding Television Movie. And the film’s success validated the studio’s choice in early 2022 to shift most of their future releases to premiere only on streaming. In short, “Prey” proved their new model had legs. But with “Alien: Romulus” getting a theatrical release later this year, it wouldn’t be shocking for 20th Century Studios to put the latest film in their other big alien franchise in theaters, too.
Speaking of the “Alien” franchise, it’s intriguing to see 20th Century’s two sci-fi series on the brink of resurgence. Along with “Romulus,” the studio also has Noah Hawley‘s upcoming “Alien” series for FX On Hulu. If those two titles do well, don’t be surprised with 20th Century gives that franchise a similar treatment as the “Predator” films. After “Prey” was the most well-regarded film in the franchise since the 1987 original, 20th Century wants to expand the universe of that series with Trachtenberg at the helm. “Badlands” and “Prey 2” may just the beginning of a lot of upcoming “Predator” movies.
But “Badlands” will arrive before a “Prey” sequel. “Prey 2” is still in development, returning to the Great Plains and Amber Midthunder potentially reprising her role from the 2022 film. But the “Predator” franchise has a knack for having a new hero for every new installment. No one, not even Arnold Schwarzeneggar, has returned to reprise their role in a new “Predator” film, so if Midthunder does so, she’ll be the first.
Stay tuned for more news about “Badlands,” which easily becomes one of the buzzier upcoming Hollywood films after this announcement.
