‘Predator: Badlands’ Director Explains When the Movie Takes Place in the Timeline

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Just released a few days ago, Predator: Badlands is the ninth installment in the Predator movie franchise. Dan Trachtenberg directed the film, with a screenplay by Patrick Aison, and it stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi.

I’m really excited about this story! It’s about Dek, a young Predator who gets kicked out of his group and ends up stranded on a really rough planet. He has to prove he’s a hunter to survive, and things get interesting when he teams up with Thia, a synthetic – basically an android – who’s seen better days. They both have to fight for their lives against this incredibly dangerous creature that’s at the top of the food chain. It’s a wild pairing, and I can’t wait to see how they work together!

The film Predator: Badlands connects to the Alien franchise. Director Dan Trachtenberg has shared details about where the movie falls within the established timeline.

We deliberately set this film further into the future than any of the other ‘Predator’ or ‘Alien’ movies. While we were making it, I wasn’t quite sure what was happening with ‘Alien: Romulus’ or even ‘Alien: Earth,’ so I wanted to avoid interfering with those projects. I also wanted to focus on creating something unique, and personally, I’d explored ‘Predator’ in various time periods before, so I was really excited to move even beyond ‘Alien: Resurrection’ and set this one far into the future.

He explained that he thoroughly researched the historical timeline while writing the movie. He admitted that some of that research might change as the script developed, but he wanted to be as confident as possible in his portrayal of events.

I want each film to stand on its own as a complete story, similar to how Marvel movies were before ‘The Avengers.’ Those early films were great individually, and it was satisfying when they eventually came together. I don’t want to force connections or make it feel like everything is suddenly interconnected; I want each movie to be a strong, self-contained idea.

Shane Black talked about his long involvement with the Predator franchise. He didn’t expect to be working on these films for so long, but he discovered that the unique rules governing the Yautja (the Predators) allowed him to make the kinds of movies he’d always envisioned. Unlike simple slasher villains, the Predators aren’t just about senseless killing. They have a culture and a code of honor, seeking out the most challenging opponents. Black sees a connection to real life, noting that we’re all constantly evaluating ourselves and comparing ourselves to others in all aspects of life – from our careers to our relationships.

Get ready for the newest Predator adventure! The international trailer for Predator: Badlands is here, and the movie hits theaters and IMAX on November 7th.

— Predator (@Predator) October 22, 2025

I’m thrilled to continue directing these films because the central concept is so strong and allows for deeply emotional stories, which is what I enjoy most. Plus, the creature design is incredible and unlike anything else in other franchises, letting me create exciting action sequences too. Ultimately, it’s given me the opportunity to tell a wide variety of stories, all of which feel true to the spirit of the franchise.

As a fan, I’m really excited about Predator: Badlands. It feels like something truly special that fits perfectly into both the Predator and Alien worlds. Director Trachtenberg seems to understand what makes these franchises great and is building on that, promising us not just awesome action, but a story that actually matters. It’s a great sign for the future of the series!

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2025-11-10 20:46