The Predator: Badlands trailers have focused more on showcasing the film's vibes and stunning visuals rather than delving into its plot. However, one crucial detail revealed earlier is that Elle Fanning's character Thia is a Weyland-Yutani synthetic. This revelation, combined with glimpses of a Power Loader-type machine featured in several promos, has spurred speculation among fans about the potential for a crossover film, possibly hinting at an Alien vs. Predator narrative or at least setting the stage for one.
In a recent interview with GamesRadar+, director Dan Trachtenberg shared insights on the connections between the franchises. He emphasized that he aimed for a more subtle integration rather than an overt combination of characters. He reminisced about the earlier VS movies, such as Alien vs. Predator and Freddy vs. Jason, noting the desire to incorporate elements from already spiritually connected cinematic universes into a cohesive story. Trachtenberg stated, “It just felt like there was a way to include things in cinematic universes that are already spiritually connected, and involve them in one story, in one movie.”
Predator: Badlands stars Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek, a Yautja runt who embarks on a mission to a perilous planet in the universe to confront Kalisk, the galaxy's most formidable foe. His goal is to reclaim the respect of his clan. During this dangerous hunt, he unexpectedly encounters Thia, a quirky legless bot whose cheerful demeanor initially annoys him. However, they soon forge an unlikely alliance, disregarding the Yautja Codex, which traditionally asserts that their species is friend to none, as they work together to accomplish Dek's mission.
Trachtenberg elaborated on the integration of Weyland-Yutani and the synthetics, highlighting a desire for elegance in the storytelling. He mentioned, “We just took Weyland-Yutani, we just took the synths, and we thought there was just something a little bit more elegant about that.” He hinted that there may be opportunities for the crossover to expand into a bigger narrative in the future, suggesting that audiences don’t need extensive background knowledge to enjoy the film. “It could just be a rad movie that makes sense on its own,” he added.
Trachtenberg's comments about the potential for the Predator franchise to evolve into something larger are certainly intriguing. After the release of Prey, he expressed his eagerness to explore sequel options, mentioning three ideas he had in mind. Among these, Predator: Killer of Killers and Badlands were highlighted, along with a third concept that remains under wraps. He explained, “The reason why I felt possessed to make them and sort of why I rushed – I did two at once because I could multitask with animation – was because I was so eager to get to the third thing.”
Fans are eagerly anticipating what Trachtenberg has in store for the franchise and how Predator: Badlands will shape the future of this beloved sci-fi saga.
