Exploring Dan Trachtenberg's Latest Predator Film's Clever Callback to a 14-Year-Old Sequel

Director Dan Trachtenberg is making a return to the world of Predator with Badlands, a project that is expected to explore a concept last seen in the franchise's most underrated sequel. While other sci-fi series like Alien or The Terminator often revisit familiar characters, the Predator movie franchise stands out for its anthology approach. This allows for a fresh take on the core theme of humans battling the iconic ****hunters, with a constantly changing main cast.

A prime example of this approach is Trachtenberg's 2022 film Prey, which shifted away from the contemporary setting to focus on a female warrior named Naru (played by Amber Midthunder) facing off against a particularly ruthless ****hunter in 1719. This prequel injected new life into the franchise after a period of stagnation, leading to the development of two more Predator sequels. The upcoming Badlands, likely to be helmed by Trachtenberg, is set in the future and will center around a new female protagonist.

New Predator Movie Can Use A New Planet (Like Predators)

Adrien Brody and Alice Braga in Predators - New Predator Movie Can Use A New Planet (Like Predators)

Arguably the most underrated sequel in the series is 2010's Predators, which placed a group of soldiers and assassins on a Predator game planet. Predators' limited budget may have restricted its scope, but it introduced a captivating concept and expanded the series' mythology. With the upcoming Predator film Badlands set in the future, there is a unique opportunity to shift the story to a different planet for its heroes to be hunted.

While the Alien movies have freely explored various planets, apart from Predators and a brief glimpse of the ****hunter's homeworld in Aliens vs Predator: Requiem, the Predator franchise has primarily remained Earth-bound. The iconic alien can only prowl through so many lush green jungles before a change of scenery becomes necessary, and Badlands must deviate from the traditional formula to keep things fresh.

Badlands' Timeline Means A New Planet Is Possible

Like the best sequels, Badlands needs to give viewers what they expect, but with fun tweaks to keep things interesting. Predators was a little too restrained with its setting, so there's room for another entry to go wild on a new planet.

A composite image of the Predator from various movies - Badlands' Timeline Means A New Planet Is Possible

While the specific year in which Badlands is set has not yet been revealed, it is clear that Trachtenberg is aiming to create a distinct separation from the previous installment, Prey. This upcoming entry seems to focus on a different visual and setting approach. The idea of exploring futuristic technology and its impact on the Predator's hunt is quite intriguing. If the story is set far into the future, Badlands could potentially take humanity on a space journey, leading them to a world where the Predators have established their territory.

A direct sequel to Prey is currently in development, in addition to Badlands.

Predators, while entertaining, did not fully realize the potential of its game planet premise. With a rewrite, the story could easily have taken place in another remote jungle on Earth. This missed opportunity highlights the importance of maximizing the concept, something that Badlands could potentially achieve. After Prey successfully set the series back on course, the next entry must continue this winning streak. Director Trachtenberg has already proven to be a great choice to carry on the saga's legacy. If he is taking Badlands into the future, there must be something exciting in store.

Editor's P/S:

This article presents an intriguing perspective on the upcoming Predator film, Badlands. The idea of exploring a new planet as the setting for the hunt is a refreshing concept that could potentially revitalize the franchise. The author argues that Predators, while entertaining, failed to fully exploit the potential of its game planet setting, and Badlands should seize this opportunity to showcase a distinct and captivating environment. The suggestion that the film could delve into futuristic technology and its impact on the Predator's hunt is particularly intriguing.

Overall, the article effectively highlights the need for innovation and originality in the Predator franchise. By embracing a new setting and exploring fresh ideas, Badlands has the potential to breathe new life into the series and appeal to both longtime fans and newcomers alike. The author's enthusiasm for the project is evident, and they convincingly convey the excitement that surrounds the upcoming film.