Predator: Badlands – First Yautja Hero Revolutionizes Iconic Series

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The Predator series stands out as somewhat unusual within today’s big-budget movie landscape. If the first film, released in 1987, had been made in the 2020s, it could have built a strong franchise on its intriguing concept. Instead, it debuted in the 1980s and faced a series of questionable sequels, with long gaps between them. In the new movie, Prey, the series appears to be regaining its footing, leading up to the upcoming seventh installment, Badlands. Unlike previous films, Badlands is rumored to focus on one of the Predators, traditionally portrayed as villains, which would mark a significant shift for the long-running franchise in numerous ways.

Disney currently holds the rights for both the Predator and Alien franchises following their acquisition of 20th Century Fox. However, it appears that the individuals within Disney who receive a paycheck may not be heavily involved in the production of these films. Instead, they acquired the rights to add them to their extensive collection of well-known franchises. The handling of Alien has been met with some questions, leaving Predator in an unusual position that could potentially lead to problems. If Badlands turns out to be a film filled with callbacks to past installments, boasting excellent special effects but lacking in substance, fans may find themselves recognizing this pattern.

Predator: Badlands is a franchise first

Director Dan Trachtenberg
Writers Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison
Stars Elle Fanning
Release Date November 7, 2025

In five canonical movies, the Yautja species has typically been depicted as the main antagonist, except in “Alien vs. Predator,” where a Yautja hunter helps humans fight Xenomorphs. The Predators have similar roles in sequels but remain threats to the protagonists. They are not usually the main characters; instead, they pose a threat that must be outsmarted or survived. In “Predator: Badlands,” a rogue Yautja will be introduced as one of the primary protagonists alongside human characters. This introduces intrigue about how this new Predator might be portrayed. As an outcast from his society, the Yautja in “Badlands” could offer a fresh perspective on the species and add depth to a race often perceived as unyieldingly straightforward. The Predators have long been associated with their planet of hats, and a change in direction could give them more complexity. However, this development also creates an intriguing connection to the franchise’s history.

Badlands puts an interesting spin on the first Predator

The ingenious aspect of John McTerinan’s 1987 Predator lies in its ability to begin within one genre, only to abruptly transition into an entirely different one. At first glance, it seems like a sequel to a Schwarzenegger action film such as Commando, given its initial scenes. A band of overtly macho military personnel head to Central America, armed to the teeth and ready to decimate the jungle. However, their tone changes dramatically when they discover that they are not the most ferocious creature in the environment. The Predator emerges, initiating a sci-fi slasher sequence where the soldiers become the hunted. From this point on, the narrative becomes a cat-and-mouse game, swapping catharsis for tension. Presenting the Predator as the central figure allows for two distinct interpretations of this twist. One could start with the slasher tone and progress toward something more action-oriented. Alternatively, reversing the power balance shift by depicting a heroic Yautja transitioning into desperation as they challenge their native society would serve as an intriguing commentary on the character’s role. Both approaches offer a thought-provoking take on the material.

Badlands is playing into a common horror franchise trope

In horror film franchises, it’s common for each new installment to focus more on the antagonist and less on the heroes. While some series do have enduring human characters, they often disappear in later films. The villain, however, continues to be a central figure in the franchise. For example, the Yautja from Predator may not have much character development, but each film adds details about the alien that make its behavior more understandable. Although Predator isn’t strictly a horror series, making one of its monsters the main character is a significant shift for the franchise. It’s challenging to envision a future Predator movie that doesn’t focus on the hunter and instead tells the story of humans evading it, especially after the events of Badlands.

In a fresh twist for the Predator franchise, “Badlands” might carve out an innovative path for subsequent installments. This could involve chronicling the story of an ostracized hunter, which would be uncharted territory in this series as each film typically introduces a new Yautja with no recurring characters. As we eagerly anticipate the release of “Badlands” in November, fans can only speculate about how the Predator will be portrayed in this upcoming movie.

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2025-04-05 23:56