Predator: Badlands is currently in theaters, and fans are eagerly anticipating more. With the way Dan Trachtenberg’s latest film concludes, many believe that a sequel is almost inevitable.
Why does Predator: Badlands 2 have to happen?
The latest entry in the Predator franchise takes a significant departure from the previous films. Instead of portraying the Yautja (the race of the titular Predators) as terrifying hunters pursuing humans, Badlands shifts the focus onto the Yautja themselves.
The film follows Dek, a runt Predator who travels to a planet called Genna to hunt down an unkillable predator named Kalisk to prove his worth to his clan after his father, Njohrr, ordered his brother Kwei to kill him. Kwei refused, which led to Njohrr killing Kwei. Upon arriving on Genna, Dek encounters Thia (played by Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani synthetic who assists him in finding Kalisk and proving his worth as a Predator.
At the film’s conclusion, Dek, Thia, and a child Kalisk affectionately nicknamed ‘Bud’ help liberate Kalisk from Tessa, another Weyland-Yutani synthetic (also portrayed by Fanning) who is determined to fulfill the company’s objectives on the planet, including capturing a Kalisk and Dek. The trio aids Kalisk in defeating Tessa, but Kalisk is also killed during the confrontation.
Later on, Dek returns to Yautja Prime and demands the invisibility cloak that signifies his worth from his father. His father refuses, leading to a fight where Dek ultimately kills his father with Bud’s assistance. As Dek, Thia, and Bud reflect on their battle, the movie appears to end with a black screen. However, it resumes with a large Yautja ship descending.
Thia questions whether other members of Dek’s clan are arriving, but he reveals that it is his mother and draws his sword in apparent preparation for battle. This shocking ending not only leaves the film on an exhilarating note but also sets up what the next installment could explore. With Dek now essentially clanless and having formed a new family with Thia and Bud, they will still need to navigate their way off Yautja Prime—a planet known for its strict code of honor among its warrior inhabitants.
While Trachtenberg has not confirmed plans for a second film, he mentioned that he originally envisioned three Predator films. One of those was intended as a third entry contingent upon the success of Badlands, although it remains unclear if this would be considered a sequel. Given the success and acclaim of Badlands, it would not be surprising for 20th Century Studios to continue Dek’s story, much to fans’ delight.
