The upcoming film Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg, is set to debut in theaters on November 7, 2025. As anticipation builds, early trailers suggest that the film may borrow elements from the long-forgotten video game Predator: Concrete Jungle, released in 2005. This connection adds an intriguing layer to the narrative, hinting at a deeper exploration of the franchise’s history.
The Predator franchise has experienced a resurgence in popularity, particularly following the success of films like Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. With Badlands, viewers are transported to a distant future where they encounter a new protagonist, a Yautja named Dek. The character is portrayed as a young hunter who has been exiled due to a failure within his clan. His journey to reclaim honor by pursuing “the ultimate adversary” echoes themes found in Concrete Jungle.
In the 2005 game, a Predator known as Scarface faces a similar fate. After being severely injured by human gangsters in New Way City during the 1930s, Scarface triggers a self-destruct mechanism in a last-ditch effort to protect his clan’s technology. However, he survives and is subsequently exiled to a harsh planet, setting the stage for a quest filled with action and unexpected twists.
While the time periods differ—Concrete Jungle takes place around 2030, whereas Badlands is set in an unspecified, more advanced future—the thematic parallels are striking. Both narratives explore redemption and the consequences of human interference with alien forces, reminiscent of the philosophical inquiries posed in Prometheus.
As Badlands unfolds, viewers can expect more than just a protagonist’s journey. The film introduces a synthetic ally for Dek, further enriching the storyline and potentially mirroring the character development seen in Concrete Jungle. Fans are hopeful that the film’s climactic conflicts will be more compelling than a human-Predator hybrid that appeared in previous installments.
The connections between the Predator and Alien franchises are also significant. The presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation in Badlands hints at a larger crossover potential. Interestingly, the 2005 game also referenced this corporation. In a notable twist, Concrete Jungle features Xenomorphs as adversaries, and writer Grant Morrison makes allusions to characters from the Alien universe, implying a shared narrative thread.
Both franchises have seen expansions beyond films, bolstered by comic books and video games. Predator: Concrete Jungle gained a cult following despite its initial poor reception, largely due to its unique blend of gory action and engaging storytelling. The film Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem attempted to weave similar connections, although it remains outside the current canon.
As Predator: Badlands approaches its release, 20th Century Studios appears to be mining the franchise’s extensive history for inspiration. This approach may provide the key to revitalizing the cinematic universe and engaging both new and longtime fans.
For those interested in exploring the franchise’s roots, Predator: Concrete Jungle is still accessible on PS2 and Xbox, though copies may be hard to find. Meanwhile, fans can catch up on the existing Predator films through streaming services like Hulu in the US and Disney+ in the UK. As the release date of Badlands nears, excitement continues to build, promising a fresh yet familiar journey into the universe of the ultimate alien hunter.