<em>Predator: Badlands</em> is set to stand out within the Predator franchise for several compelling reasons, but one particular narrative aspect it shares with only a single other Predator film is especially thrilling. This eagerly anticipated stand-alone installment is helmed by Dan Trachtenberg, who successfully revitalized the long-standing sci-fi action horror series with the unexpected success of Prey in 2022. In a groundbreaking move, Predator: Badlands will introduce the franchise’s first Predator protagonist, focusing on a smaller Yautja named Dek, who is on a quest to gain the approval of his clan by taking down a target deemed nearly impossible to kill.

The film also features Elle Fanning in the role of Dek’s companion, Thia, an android developed by the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, a familiar entity from the Alien franchise, which is closely associated with Predator. At this point, it remains uncertain whether Predator: Badlands will incorporate any xenomorphs or other iconic characters from the Alien series; however, it appears that the primary focus will be on the new Predator narrative. The inclusion of a fresh protagonist and the potential for a crossover with the revitalized Alien franchise adds layers of excitement to this upcoming film, but there is another narrative detail that distinctly differentiates Predator: Badlands from many previous entries in the series.

Discover Why Predator: Badlands Is Only The Second Predator Movie Not Set On Earth

Exploring 2010’s Predators: The Only Other Movie Set On An Alien World

The recently released trailer for Predator: Badlands indicates that the majority of the gripping action unfolds on a hostile alien planet filled with deadly organisms, including perilous, spiked vegetation. This makes it the second Predator film to be set off of Earth, the first being Nimród Antal’s Predators. In Predators, a group of elite killers from Earth’s most dangerous organizations are transported to a remote jungle on a distant planet, where they are hunted by a diverse array of Predators. While Predators maintained the original film’s jungle aesthetic, it also allowed for a deeper exploration of its unique extraterrestrial environment.

Predator: Badlands appears poised to excel in its portrayal of an alien setting, as it focuses primarily on a single Predator and seemingly only two main characters, Dek and Thia. Judging by the trailer, it appears that surviving on the alien planet itself significantly contributes to the dangers Dek faces during his inaugural hunt. While he pursues a colossal and deadly target, his limited armor and smaller stature place him at heightened risk throughout the treacherous forests where he hunts, transforming Predator: Badlands into a gripping survival thriller.

Understanding Why Predator: Badlands Doesn’t Take Place On Earth

Meet the Protagonist: A Predator on a Quest for the Ultimate Prey

Though comprehensive story details are not yet fully revealed, insights gathered from interviews and promotional materials suggest that Predator: Badlands revolves around a young Yautja characterized as a runt, displaying a physique that is almost human-like. To demonstrate his value to the honor-bound clan of hunters he belongs to, the young Predator Dek embarks on a journey to an alien planet to pursue a foe considered “unkillable” by his fellow hunters. Based on the trailer’s indications, Dek sets out with minimal armor and weaponry.

To present a challenge that even the Predators deem unkillable, Predator: Badlands could not be set on Earth, as there are virtually no creatures capable of posing a serious threat to a fully-equipped and camouflaged Predator. While humans have managed to take down Predators on occasions, they are familiar adversaries for the Yautja and are, by nature, fragile opponents. Even the most clever and powerful humans cannot match the lethal wristblades or shoulder cannon of a Predator. Dek is in search of a much larger and more dangerous quarry, making an alien planet the optimal setting.

Why Predator: Badlands’ Departure From Earth is a Breath of Fresh Air for the Franchise

Why It’s Refreshing That This Narrative Has Been Explored So Many Times Before

Historically, the majority of Predator films have taken place on Earth, albeit in various locations and eras. In fact, two additional Predator projects currently in development will return the franchise to an Earth setting. A sequel to Trachtenberg’s Prey is underway, which is expected to follow Amber Midthunder’s Comanche warrior Naru sometime after the events of Prey. Additionally, an animated anthology titled Predator: Killer of Killers is scheduled to premiere on Hulu a month before Predator: Badlands, featuring Predators engaging in battles with renowned warrior cultures throughout human history.

While both of these upcoming projects sound promising and likely will excel with Trachtenberg at the helm, a departure from Earth is a much-needed change for the franchise. Prey revitalized the series by taking it in a bold, original direction, making it refreshing to witness further attempts at innovation while remaining true to the franchise’s lore. Shifting the narrative away from Earth and into the cosmos also opens the door to a long-anticipated crossover with the Alien franchise, which is another compelling reason for this strategic direction in the Predator series.

How Predator: Badlands’ Non-Earth Setting Can Embrace More Sci-Fi Elements

An Alien World Opens the Door to Futuristic Technology and Advanced Weapons

With its narrative unbound from Earthly limitations, the Predator franchise can genuinely return to its sci-fi origins. Beyond the myriad of alien flora and fauna, Predator: Badlands will delve into a realm of innovative technology and, crucially, advanced weaponry. The trailer has already provided glimpses of some cutting-edge tech, featuring a character (likely Dek) riding a Star Wars-style speeder bike, heavily armed mercenaries advancing on a high-tech facility, and the striking laser-edged swords brandished by Dek and an unidentified elder Predator.

Although the range of weaponry that Dek showcases in the trailer appears to be somewhat basic compared to the Yautja’s technological standards, the potential involvement of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation through Thia promises a technological upgrade. This android is set to be an ally to the film’s Predator protagonist, suggesting she may be a source of advanced weaponry or possess knowledge on where to obtain it. The expansive possibilities presented by a film like Predator: Badlands, particularly with its smartly chosen setting on an alien world, are truly exciting.

[nospin]Here you can find the original article; the photos and images used in our article also come from this source. We are not their authors; they have been used solely for informational purposes with proper attribution to their original source.[/nospin]

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