Predator: Badlands marks the triumphant return of one of science fiction’s most feared hunters—this time, to the silver screen. Directed once again by Dan Trachtenberg, the man behind Prey’s pulse-pounding reinvention, the film brings with it fresh blood in the form of Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi—a duo that looks ready to face horrors far beyond the jungle.

Plot details remain shrouded in secrecy, but the recently unveiled trailer has ignited speculation and reignited long-dormant hopes: the Alien vs. Predator crossover might finally be back in play. And this time, it’s not through Xenomorphs—but through something far colder and more calculating: Weyland-Yutani androids.

For the first time in Predator film history, the infamous megacorporation's synthetic creations are stepping into the frame. Not since Alien vs. Predator: Requiem (2007) have the two legendary franchises crossed paths on screen. But what sets Badlands apart is the unsettling twist teased in those fleeting trailer glimpses—these androids don’t just follow orders. They can harm humans.

It’s a revelation that rewrites the rules. In a universe built on corporate control, interstellar survival, and brutal ethics, the idea that Weyland-Yutani's artificial agents can now turn on mankind marks a chilling evolution in the lore.

Among the chaos, we catch glimpses of two central figures: Dek (Schuster-Koloamatangi) and Thia (Fanning). Their roles hint at protagonists caught in a nightmarish landscape—locked in a desperate battle not just against a predator, but against something larger, something colossal. Something... kaiju-sized. And they’re not alone. The androids are many. And they are merciless.

With all the weight of legacy behind it and the whisper of crossover potential in every frame, Predator: Badlands is poised to explore dangerous new territory—where science fiction, horror, and monster mayhem collide. The game is back on. And this time, no one is safe.

Elle Fanning Is a Weyland-Yutani Android in Predator: Badlands — and It Changes Everything

For months, whispers rippled through fan circles—rumors that Predator: Badlands might finally crack open the long-dormant door to an Alien vs. Predator revival. Director Dan Trachtenberg, long known for his love of legacy genre pieces, had teased his interest in that crossover world before. Still, few could have predicted just how central the connection would become.

And now, the truth is out.

In the newest trailer, it’s confirmed: Elle Fanning’s character, Thia, is not human. She’s a synthetic being—an android engineered by none other than the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, the infamously cold and calculating megacorp from the Alien franchise. This marks a historic first: the fusion of Weyland-Yutani lore into the heart of a Predator narrative.

But don’t mistake it for the start of a sprawling cinematic crossover—at least, not yet.

According to Trachtenberg, the inclusion of the android wasn’t about expanding universes or reviving AVP bombast. It was about story. Character. Chemistry. In a candid interview with Entertainment Weekly, he revealed the creative path that led to Thia’s creation.

“Dek needed company,” Trachtenberg explained. “But to make her human would’ve meant that audiences—and producers—might get too caught up in a romantic or emotional subplot. And then I thought: wait, I know a company that makes robots…”

Enter Weyland-Yutani. Enter Thia. An unlikely solution, born from storytelling necessity, but one that brought a bold new texture to the film. Because what emerged wasn’t just a sci-fi trope—it was a partnership. A pairing. One rooted in existential oddity and emotional restraint. And it works.

Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) and Thia form the emotional anchor of the film—not in the traditional human sense, but in the way two anomalies tethered by fate and survival find meaning in each other. Their dynamic is “a huge part of the fun,” Trachtenberg says, and it's already shaping up to be one of the most intriguing aspects of the movie.

Still, let’s be clear: Badlands is not the crossover event fans have been dreaming of. Not yet. And Trachtenberg isn’t shying away from that truth.

“I really didn’t want to take all the action figures and smush them together,” he said. “I wanted to tell a cool story first.”

There’s humility in that approach. A slow-burn, grounded vision in a genre often overwhelmed by spectacle. And it may just be what this long-beleaguered crossover needs. After all, Alien vs. Predator faltered not because the ingredients were wrong—but because there was no time to let them simmer. No build-up. No earned stakes. Just fan service in search of substance.

Predator: Badlands seeks something different. Yes, there will be a hunt. Yes, there will be blood. But woven into the chaos is a shift—one toward richer sci-fi textures, toward emotional nuance, toward a future where crossover doesn’t mean compromise.

And maybe, just maybe, this is how the true Alien vs. Predator revival begins—not with a roar, but with a whisper from a synthetic soul.

DEK: The Predator Fanboy’s Dream Come True 

For the first time EVER, the Predator universe is giving us a full-on Predator protagonist—not some side character, not another human trying to survive—a Predator leading the charge. That’s right: Dek is front and center, and damn, it feels like destiny.

Why This Is the Ultimate Fan Upgrade

Dek isn’t just any Yautja—he’s an outcast, the runt of the clan, bent on proving himself. That makes him our new anti-hero, a stoic Conan/Mad Max fusion who cuts straight into danger with no wasted words. That edge-of-honor, warrior-for-honor feel? It’s 🍖 meat on the bones of classic Predator lore.

And yes, fans are torching threads about his new sleek design—lighter armor, streamlined dread‑tendrils, a more agile form. Some say it’s too "human," others are hyped by the fresh aesthetic. But your humble Predator stan thinks it’s badass evolution.

The Alien Tie-In That Makes Our Inner Geek Rejoice

Thia is a Weyland‑Yutani android. That means Predator is stepping into the Alien universe again—but smartly. No Xenomorph jump-scares yet, but there’s a Weyland lab rover, power-loader mech, and synth tech dripping with MU/TH/UR vibes. Those Easter eggs are lit.

The chemistry between Dek and Thia isn’t slapped together either—Trachtenberg calls it “an interesting, bizarre pairing.” It’s a predator and a synth walking through a blizzard of interstellar corporate horror. I already love it.

Comic Lore Fans, Wake Up

Get this: Dek’s broken tusk and name are almost certainly nods to Dark Horse’s Broken Tusk (Dachande) from the original AVP comics. That’s not a coincidence. Looks like we’re getting a cinematic origin for one of the most iconic Yautja warriors ever. Goose‑bumps level, people.

Surface‑to‑Surface Threat Level: Maxed

Trailer shots show kaiju beasts, skeletal foot soldiers (human? android?), explosive action… and even a Power Loader-style mech duking it out with giant monsters. If Dek survives that jungle of horrors? We might finally witness Predator culture unfiltered.

Why This Film Could Be the One We’ve All Been Waiting For

Dan Trachtenberg—the Predator whisperer—is back after smashing it with Prey and Killer of Killers. He’s building Predator lore as a fan-first story, prioritizing emotional beats, native Yautja language, and brutal world-building over franchise fan service. This is our film.

And November 7, 2025? Mark your calendars. This isn’t just a Predator flick—it’s Predator reborn.

Fanboy Wrap-Up: Why I'm Hyped AF

• A Predator as Hero: Finally, inside that skull.

• Dek = Broken Tusk: Comic lore made real.

• Thia & Weyland: Synth terror meets hunter instinct.

• Fresh Predator Design: Sleek, smart, still savage.

• Massive World-Building: Full Yautja language, badass effects by Wētā / Studio Gillis.

So yes, I’ve been losing my mind over this trailer. It’s more than a revival—it’s the universe Z-shaped into a shared future. Whether you’re Team Alien, Team Predator, or Team Holy‑Hell‑This‑Is‑What‑We’ve‑Wanted, Badlands is our moment.

Calling all fans! Dive into our exclusive Fantastic Four & Marvel collectibles at Superhero Toystore—built for collectors, crafted for legends.

Click Here to unleash the Alien Predator Mania!