Predator: Badlands is the ninth installment in the Predator franchise and the third directed by Dan Trachtenberg, following Prey and the adult animated Sci-fi horror Predator: Killer of Killers.
Q&A with Director and Producer Dan Trachtenberg
It flips the script by making the Predator a young outcast named Dek, seeking redemption, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. On a hostile alien world, Dek is cast out by his clan for being weak. After a brutal confrontation with his father and the death of his brother, Dek escapes to a planet where even Predators are prey. There, he forms an uneasy alliance with Thia, a synthetic android created by Weyland-Yutani, played by Elle Fanning. Together, they face a terrifying apex creature known only as the Kalisk.
The Screenplay was crafted by Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison. Trachtenberg cites influences from Conan the Barbarian, Mad Max 2, Shadow of the Colossus, and even Shakespearean drama. The film is described as operatic, emotional, and visually bombastic, with every shot involving VFX work.
Predator: Badlands weaves itself into the Alien universe in some pretty intriguing ways—without going full Xenomorph (yet).
The most direct connection is through Thia, the synthetic android played by Elle Fanning. She’s a product of Weyland-Yutani, the infamous corporation from the Alien franchise known for its obsession with bio-weapons and synthetic life. The film hints at systems like Mother, the onboard AI from Alien. Dek’s ship includes skulls that resemble creatures from Alien and even Independence Day, suggesting a broader sci-fi multiverse.
Dan Trachtenberg has said he didn’t just toss in Weyland-Yutani for fan service. He wanted to explore deeper crossover themes—pairing a Predator with a robot was his way in. He’s teased that this could lay the groundwork for a more meaningful Alien vs. Predator film down the line.
Many believe Badlands is secretly laying the groundwork for a full-blown Alien vs. Predator reboot.
Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison reimagined the Predator mythos by stripping it down to its primal essence and rebuilding it with cultural depth, emotional resonance, and historical authenticity. Their collaboration on Prey (2022) marked a radical departure from the franchise’s usual futuristic settings, instead placing the alien hunter in 1719 among the Comanche Nation, where survival and tradition collide.
The Predator was redesigned to be more primal and less technologically advanced, emphasizing brute strength and instinct over gadgets. This version of the Predator is younger, more reckless, and driven by a competitive nature, not just survival.
They worked closely with Comanche experts to ensure respectful and accurate representation, even releasing a Comanche-language dub of the film. The setting and characters reflect Comanche folklore, survival rituals, and the tribe’s relationship with nature and monsters.
Aison’s script focused on character-driven tension, crafting Naru’s arc as a metaphorical rite of passage and a David vs. Goliath showdown. The film’s title, Prey, mirrors Predator in its double meaning—both hunter and hunted—reinforcing the thematic inversion.
The Predator’s moral code—only hunting worthy opponents—is contrasted with colonial violence, like the French fur trappers who slaughter buffalo for sport.
The film subtly connects to Predator 2 through a flintlock pistol Easter egg, hinting at deeper lore without being heavy-handed.
Together, Trachtenberg and Aison didn’t just reboot the franchise—they reinvigorated it with soul, grit, and a fresh perspective.
Dan Trachtenberg is an American filmmaker and podcast host born on May 11, 1981, in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He gained widespread recognition with his feature debut 10 Cloverfield Lane (2016), which earned him a Directors Guild of America nomination and established his reputation for suspenseful, character-driven storytelling. Trachtenberg has since directed acclaimed projects like Prey (2022), Predator: Killer of Killers (2025), and Predator: Badlands (2025), bringing fresh vision to the sci-fi genre. His television work includes directing pilot episodes for The Boys, The Lost Symbol, and Stranger Things (2025). A former co-host of The Totally Rad Show and Geekdrome, Trachtenberg also created viral short films like Portal: No Escape. He graduated from Temple University in 2003 and is married to Priscilla Hernandez, with whom he has one daughter.
Patrick Aison is an American screenwriter and producer known for crafting intense, character-driven narratives across television and film. He began his career writing for series like Wayward Pines, Kingdom, and Tom Clancy’s Jack Ryan, where he honed his skills in suspense and action. Aison broke into feature films with Prey (2022), co-writing the story with Dan Trachtenberg and earning an Emmy nomination for Outstanding Writing. His work redefined the Predator franchise by blending historical authenticity with sci-fi horror. Aison continues to shape the universe with Predator: Badlands (2025), and has also contributed to Kingdom of the Planet of the Apes (2024). Known for his collaborative spirit and genre versatility, Aison is a rising voice in modern screenwriting.
