The Predator in Predator: Badlands is no Luke Skywalker, he's still a Predator and as director Dan Trachtenberg puts it, he's still a dick, but a dick you can root for. Speaking to Empire Magazine for their latest issue, Trachtenberg discusses creating a protagonist Predator for Badlands, but assures fans the Yautja is no all-around good guy:
This crazy adventure against monsters and the elements — only this time it’s a badass Predator against those things. We wanted Dek to be relatable, but without turning him into Luke Skywalker. He’s still a Predator — we had to allow him to be a dick. But a dick you can root for.
While Trachtenberg's first foray into Yautja territory with Prey was a solo survival tale, Badlands shifts gears and is more of a relationship story – sure to bring a balance of action and comedic relief.
Yautja fans can look forward to more about Badlands in the latest issue of Empire, available September 25th!
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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!
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