It looks like Dek's sword in Predator: Badlands may have been inspired by one of the most iconic weapons from the Predator: Concrete Jungle video game! Featured on the cover of Den of Geek magazine, we get a fresh look at Dek and his sword as well as wrist blades! Dek's sword in Badlands seems to have an adjustable handle, transforming the blade from a conventional sword to a sythe style weapon – very reminiscent of the Maul weapon in Scar Face's arsenal in the game!
Much like in Predator: Concrete Jungle, Badlands will also feature links and ties to the Alien universe without being an actual Alien vs. Predator film. However while the game did feature actual Xenomorphs, Badlands will not. That's not to say the crossover isn't being planned behind the scenes, though. The Den of Geek feature also reveals that Predator: Badlands takes place later in the Alien and Predator film timeline than ANY of the films so far:
Set deeper into the future than any previous installment of the Alien and Predator franchises, Badlands is positioning itself not just to be the breakout sci-fi hit of fall 2025 but also a jumpstart for a new kind of shared universe. And for the stars and the director, the trick is all about making an impossibly big movie feel small, relatable, and intimately human. Which is a pretty nifty feat when there’s not a single human being on the screen. Welcome to a future of only aliens and AI synthetics.
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While Badlands was filming, Fanning tells us that the cast and crew went to see Alien: Romulus. And while she admits that she took a “little inspiration” from Jonsson’s Andy in that film, she also doubles down on the fact that because Badlands takes place so far into the future of both franchises, Thia and Tessa are basically the most advanced models of Weyland-Yutani robots ever.
That makes for a very interesting and important detail. Check out the whole write-up over on Den of Geek here!
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Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands released in theaters on November 7th, 2025! See how well the film performed at the box office, here! Be sure to also browse 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!
Kwei and Bone Bison Armor Dek Predator: Badlands figures by NECA unveiled!
NECA have unveiled a first look at their expanded Predator: Badlands lineup, including Kwei, Dek (Bone Bison Armor) and Njohrr figures!
The future of Predator: Despite Paramount deal, Dan Trachtenberg is still planning another Yautja movie!
Dan Trachtenberg signed an exclusive partnership deal with Paramount, but reveals he's still working on more Predator movies with 20th Century and Disney simultaneously.
Stream Predator: Badlands Online starting February 12th!
Officially arriving on Disney+ and Hulu, Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands will finally be available to stream online with a valid subscription!
