Predator Badlands is the name of the next film in the Predator series. It has been written by Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison and will be directed by Dan Trachtenberg. The name of the film was announced as Badlands without Predator but it’s possible it has been renamed since the early announcement.

Current Status

The Hollywood Reporter broke the news in February 2024 that a few Predator projects are in development with Dan Trachtenberg at the helm. Filming began in New Zealand in the Summer of 2024.

Predator Badlands Cast

No formal cast announcements have been announced as of yet but Predator Badlands is said to have a female lead. In June 2024, it was revealed that Elle Fanning is in talks for a role.

Arnold Schwarzenegger has long been rumoured to reprise his role as Dutch in a Predator sequel. When a new Predator film is announced, there are always some rumblings that Dutch might make an appearance. For Predators, Robert Rodriguez made it clear from the outset that he wanted Arnie to make an appearance but he was still busy.

In March 2016, Arnold Schwarzenegger had lunch with director Shane Black to discuss The Predator. In an early draft of The Predator, Arnold’s character Dutch appeared in the closing moments of the film. He emerges from a chopper and asks Quinn, Casey and Rory to come with him. Schwarzenegger was very unhappy with the script and refused to take part, saying he’d only do it if “there’s a chance that they rewrite it, or make it a more significant role.”

Other people who have been in the spotlight was WWF wrestler The Rock who would have taken over the Dutch role. In September 2003, The Rock denied that he had any involvement in a Predator movie. In 2005, another wrestler, John Cena, was also rumoured to be involved in a remake of Predator.

Predator Badlands Storyline

Unlike Prey which was set in 1719, Predator Badlands is said to be set in the future and will feature a female lead.

Casting Call Leak

In August 2024, we had discovered a casting call for a film codenamed Backpack which was indeed Predator: Badlands. A synopsis of the film as well as a description of the lead characters was leaked. The story in Predator: Badlands features two storylines that deal with the bond between two sisters whose relationship is put to the test as they go on different paths.

Synopsis: A groundbreaking film in which one of the two main storylines delves into the intricate bond of two very different sisters, their familial ties are put to the ultimate test as they pursue divergent paths and missions.

The page mentions a casting call for the lead actress to play two sisters called Thia and Tessa. The actress would be in her mid 20s to mid 40s. Thia has spent most of her life in a laboratory and “is going on her first big adventure in the world”. Her sister is called Tessa and “has a militant intensity” when it comes to completing her goals and objectives.

[THIA/TESSA] – This casting is for a dual character, and describes both characters. Character identifies as female or non-binary, open ethnicity, mid 20s – mid 40s. Thia has spent most of her life in a laboratory and is now embarking on her first big adventure in the world. She is incredibly smart, witty, enthusiastic, and unflappable. She has an innate disregard for danger, not because she’s fearless, but simply because she’s naive. Strong comedy chops required. // The other sister, Tessa, has a militant intensity when it comes to achieving her family’s goals and mission objectives. She will not let anything get in her way, not even her twin sister.

The casting call also mentions they are in New Zealand between June and September 2024. It says the lead actress must be 5’8″ or shorter, must be comfortable training for heavy action as well as wearing prosthetics/heavy makeup.

Previous Stories

Before The Predator was announced, the most popular idea was Rodriguez returning to do a direct sequel to Predators with Adrien Brody again. The ending was very open-ended but I’d imagine it would be hard to do a new story without repeating the first movie. Rodriguez stated in July 2010 that he had a few ideas for Predator 4. He said Predators sets up a new story, new location and a new world for a potential sequel. If Rodriguez isn’t involved, it could be a completely new story.

There were all sorts of ideas for a new Predator sequel floating around over the years. Prior to Predators been made, there are about three scripts for Predator 3 circulating around the globe. The first, written by Sam Park, is called Predator 3: The Deadlier of the Species and features Arnold Schwarzenegger’s character, Dutch, in New York during a blizzard. A Predator comes to New York and tracks down Dutch to try and kill him.

The second script, written by Robert Rodriguez, is called Predators and is set on a 17th century ship where a Predator stalks the crewman who have to fight with inferior weaponry. Rodriguez did speak about his script during an interview at the beginning of 2004 and said it was rejected because the budget would have been too big – about $150m. The third and final script is called The Zoo which brings back both Dutch from Predator and Harrigan from Predator 2 and they are captured and brought back to the Predator homeworld because they were the only two people to have ever killed a Predator.

You can check out this article: Where should Shane Black’s Predator Sequel take place? which covers various locations they could go with Predator 6 including the Predator homeworld.

Production

Filming began in New Zealand between June and September 2024. An article in the New Zealand Herald mentioned in July that an American movie was being filmed in Rotorua. Production then moved on to filming in Te Kuiti. Production was then said to be heading to South Head next, the peninsula just north of Helensville.

Another article also posted three set pictures of a big Hollywood movie filming in Hamurana Springs in Rotorua. Chances are this was also Predator: Badlands.

In October 2024, some images were posted showing the crew on set and we can see the Predator costume in the background.

In November 2024, Empire had posted a snippet from their upcoming January issue with the first official behind-the-scenes still from Predator: Badlands. In an interview with Dan Trachtenberg, he says the Predator will be the hero of the film and the article confirms our earlier leak that Elle Fanning will be playing two characters.

“The creature is front and centre, leading the charge,” Trachtenberg grins, speaking to Empire in the Andor Season 2 issue. “He’s still badass, but there’s something there that touches you emotionally, too. Creating a character you connect with, but are also super-intimidated by, has been challenging. But exciting.” The idea, he says, came from a desire to “find another essential piece of cinema that does what Prey did spiritually — pushing the franchise’s boundaries, letting us root for a hero we rarely get to root for — but in a different way. And that transformed into this big idea of rooting for the Predator.”

Release

Predator: Badlands will be released theatrically on November 7, 2025. Deadline reported that Blade had been moved from its release date and the new Predator film took its place.

Latest Predator Badlands News

Dan Trachtenberg Shares Predator Badlands Holiday Gift (01/01/25 21:33)
Predator: Badlands is Set on Another Planet! (21/11/24 09:03)
Dan Trachtenberg’s Predator: Badlands Will Have The Predator As The Protagonist (15/11/24 17:22)
Alien: Romulus Sequel In The Works, New AvP Film Will “Probably” Happen, Another “Secret” Predator Film Is On The Way & We’ve Got Some Details! (24/10/24 19:39)
Predator: Badlands Is Hitting The Big Screen In November 2025! (22/10/24 16:53)

You can view the full news archive for Predator: Badlands here.