20th Century Studios has announced that they will be producing a new standalone Predator film, directed by Dan Trachtenberg. Trachtenberg was previously nominated for an Emmy in 2022 for his Predator prequel, Prey, which introduced viewers to Naru, a skilled warrior of the Comanche Nation portrayed by Amber Midthunder. Prey followed Naru's efforts to protect her people from a significant threat to their camp.
The upcoming film in the franchise, titled Badlands, is set to take place in the future. While specific plot details have been kept under wraps, production is scheduled to begin later this year. Trachtenberg received widespread acclaim for Prey, which premiered exclusively on Hulu. In fact, it became the streaming platform's most-watched premiere, generating record-breaking viewing hours within the first three days of its release. At this point, it remains unclear whether Badlands will follow a similar release strategy.
Badlands will serve as the latest installment in the long-running franchise. The original Predator film was released in 1987 and featured iconic actors Arnold Schwarzenegger, Carl Weathers, and Jesse Ventura as a trio of commandos fighting for survival in the jungle while being hunted by extraterrestrial beings. The film's success prompted three subsequent sequels released in 1990, 2010, and 2018. In addition to Badlands, Trachtenberg is currently busy directing the fifth and final season of the popular series Stranger Things.
Stay tuned for more updates on the release date and further details about Badlands.