Everything we know about Prey sequel Predator: Badlands

For some aliens, it’s all work, work, work — and that’s certainly the case for the Predator, whose human-based big game hunts are set to continue in the upcoming Prey sequel Predator: Badlands.

Directed by 10 Cloverfield Lane’s Dan Trachtenberg, Prey gave 20th Century Fox’s hugely popular yet up-and-down alien franchise a much-needed kick up the alien weaponry arsenal. Released in 2022, it told a stand-alone tale set in the American Great Plains of the 1700s and following a Comanche warrior who faced off with a new alien Space Hunter.

The film was a critical and audience success, marking a return to form for a franchise that started with Arnold Schwarzenegger in 1987 and has spawned a few diminishing return follow-ups with differing leads.

Predator: Badlands aims to follow suit with Trachtenberg at the helm once more. It'll tell a new story that stands apart from Prey but comes hot on the heels of that film’s audience adoration. Can it replicate the same success? Here’s what we know about it so far.

When will Predator: Badlands be released?

Prey follow-up Predator; Badlands is currently without a release date.

First announced in June 2024, production on the movie was reported to have begun in August in New Zealand, with Trachtenberg telling a new story with new characters.

At this stage, it’s unclear what the release plan is for the movie. Prey debuted on Hulu in the United States and Disney+ in the UK, where it was swiftly praised by fans.

With 20th Century Fox’s other space franchise Alien: Romulus recently proving to be a runaway hit in cinemas, perhaps we should expect Predator: Badlands to debut on the big screen rather than the small.

What will happen in Predator: Badlands?

So far, no solid plot details have emerged for Prey sequel Predator: Badlands, other than the fact that it will be a stand-alone feature following characters separate from its predecessor.

At this stage, the only concrete information we have is that it’ll feature another Predator which, let’s be honest, isn’t that surprising.

A very vague synopsis pulled from a recent casting call was published on Alien and Predator franchise fan site AVPGalaxy — but it doesn’t give much away.

It reads: “A groundbreaking film in which one of the two main storylines delves into the intricate bond of two very different sisters, their familial ties are put to the ultimate test as they pursue divergent paths and missions.”

We do know that a direct Prey sequel is also very much still in the works, with star Amber Midthunder tipped to return as her Comanche warrior for another story set in the Great Plains of the 1700s.

Who is in the Predator: Badlands cast?

As first reported by Deadline, Maleficent actor Elle Fanning is attached to star in Predator: Badlands. However, we don’t know for sure who she’ll be playing or how she’ll fit into the overall plot.

According to the same AVPGalaxy report, Badlands will feature a lead who plays their own twin. This information comes from an apparent casting call but as nothing has been made official just yet, be sure to take it with a pinch of salt.

“Character identifies as female or non-binary, open ethnicity, mid 20s-mid 40s. This has spent most of her life in a laboratory and is now embarking on her first big adventure in the world,” explains the casting call details.

“She is incredibly smart, witty, enthusiastic, and unflappable. She has an innate disregard for danger, not because she’s fearless, but simply because she’s naive.

“The other sister, Tessa, has a militant intensity when it comes to achieving her family’s goals and mission objectives. She will not let anything get in her way, not even her twin sister.”

Predator sequel Badlands is coming soon.