Dan Trachtenberg is tantalizing fans with tid bits of information about his upcoming Predator movie and during a recent interview with Bloody-Disgusting, he confirmed Elle Fanning's mysterious Predator: Badlands character Thia is in fact - a Weyland-Yutani synthetic (although fans already made that distinction).
The interview covers a lot of ground - Trachtenberg even describes the opening sequence for the film which involves Dek (the protagonist Yautja) battling his brother as part of a training exercise. He also elaborates a bit on Dek's background - revealing he is a runt, fighting to prove himself to his clan and to gain approval of his unsupportive father. He also confirmed the Death Planet Dek chooses to prove himself on is called Kalisk. But, the most surprising acknowledgement he made, was confirming the link to Alien:
As a bit, Trachtenberg asked us if we had theories about Fanning’s top-secret character. A fellow journalist suggested she’s a hunter from another planet. But someone else noted she has an android-esque mannerism and posed the possible Alien tie to Weyland-Yutani. Trachtenberg smirked, chuckled, and gave us a sly, “Yes, she does.” Is this just the tricky lead-on of a creator keeping our minds racing? Or is it unclear confirmation that we’ll be seeing the Predator and Alien universes colliding again soon? “There’s a unique hook to her character that is exciting in the pairing of [her and Dek].“ Get to speculating, internet.
While fans had come to this conclusion immediately after then first Predator: Badlands teaser dropped, it had not yet been officially confirmed, so it's great to know now that link in fact solidifying the fact Alien and Predator once again share the same universe.
Read the whole interview on Bloody-Disgusting, there's plenty more to enjoy!
Get updates on Predator: Badlands on social media by following us on X, on Instagram and liking our Facebook page!
Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands released in theaters on November 7th, 2025! Visit the Predator Lore database - for information on the film's different Yautja and characters, the planet Genna, how it connects to Alien, where in the Predator movie timeline the film takes place and more!
Dek rides Dinosaur-like alien into battle in early concept art for Badlands!
Very early concept artwork for Predator: Badlands painted a very different movie, featuring a variety of different creatures and battle sequences!
Early concept art for Kwei's ship and Weyland-Yutani Super Power Loader by Benjamin Last!
Concept artist Benjamin Last has shared some of his early work he provided for Predator: Badlands including Kwei's ship and the new Weyland-Yutani Power Loader!
Unused World War 2 Predator concept art features a triple mandible Yautja! (EXCLUSIVE)
One of the unused Predator designs for the World War 2 segment of the Killer of Killers anime featured a unique alternative design for the Yautja Hunt...
