Predator is a franchise that has been around since 1987, but there have only been five mainline films in that 37 years. That will all change in 2025 when Disney’s 20th Century Studios releases not one but two new Predator films.

Following the success of the first two Arnold Schwarzenegger-starring Predator films, multiple attempts were made to revive the franchise. The only movie that seemed to resonate with audiences was 2022’s Prey, a standalone prequel film starring Amber Midthunder set in the 1700s. The film was directed by Dan Trachtenberg (10 Cloverfield Lane) and went straight to streaming on Disney+ and Hulu. Despite the lack of a theatrical release, Prey made waves and earned a 94% positive review score on Rotten Tomatoes, the highest of the franchise to date. It also went on to earn nominations at the Saturn Awards, Producers Guild of America Awards, and the Creative Arts Emmy Awards. There was no doubt that Disney would look to make a sequel to its successful Predator film, but the future of the franchise may be bigger than anyone was expecting.

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Disney Confirms Two Predator Movies For 2025

It’s been public knowledge for some time that Trachtenberg would return for another Predator movie at Disney, but the details of that return were shrouded in mystery. Recently, 20th Century Studios head Steve Asbell provided an update on the studio’s upcoming slate which includes new movies in the Alien and Predator franchises. Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter about the future of Predator, Asbell confirmed there are actually two films in the works, one titled Predator: Badlands and another that Asbell declined to provide any information on, aside from confirming it would be released in 2025. “We’ve actually done two of them. Two are coming out next year,” the studio head confirmed. So what is known about Disney’s two new Predator films?

Predator Badlands

With Dan Trachtenberg returning, many would expect Predator: Badlands to be a sequel to Prey. However, Asbell confirmed this is not that film. “After Prey became a success, Dan [Trachtenberg] came back and said he didn’t want to do Prey 2,” Asbell explained. “And we’re like, “What do you want to do?” And he rattled off a bunch of ideas that were really crazy but really cool.” Rather than a Prey sequel, Predator: Badlands will instead be a standalone film in the franchise, with a new lead. Elle Fanning’s casting was confirmed earlier in 2024 and production took place in New Zealand starting in June. A casting call for the film seemingly suggests Predator: Badlands will focus on the relationship between two sisters, which would make it a nice companion piece to the recent Alien: Romulus, but no other cast members have been announced to date.

Asbell did not confirm further plot details for Predator Badlands, only revealing the film will star Fanning, will be live-action, and had recently wrapped in New Zealand. “It’s titled Badlands and it is an absolutely bonkers idea. It is a sci-fi thing, but it’s not what everybody thinks it is,” Asbell explained. The studio head also confirmed that, unlike Prey, Predator: Badlands will receive a theatrical release with a date set for November 7, 2025.

Disney’s Secret Predator Movie

The biggest surprise out of Asbell’s recent interview was that there would be a second Predator film released in 2025. Beyond revealing that Trachtenberg is the director of both films, Asbell was adamant that he could not talk about the other secret Predator film. However, a few clues can be gleaned from his comments. Asbell noted that the secret Predator film would be released before Predator: Badlands, and avoided revealing whether it would be released theatrically, making it seem likely that this will be a streaming release. Asbell also specifically noted that Predator: Badlands was a live-action film, which seemingly hints that the other Predator film may not be.

Will the New Predator Movie Be Animated?

An animated Predator movie wouldn’t be the most surprising direction. It would make sense as to how the studio has been able to keep it a secret for so long and why there’s been no news about filming dates or casting. It would also explain how Trachtenberg could direct both Predator films in such a short time frame and why they’re both being released back-to-back in 2025. Further rumors about the secret Predator film came by way of io9 shortly after Asbell’s interview, with the outlet’s sources revealing the project is indeed an animated feature. Apparently, the film will also be an anthology telling the stories of three Predators fighting warriors in different eras, with pirates and samurai being two of the potential storylines. The animated feature could then potentially set the stage for what’s to come later in the year with Predator: Badlands.

Another minor tease from Asbell’s recent interview is that the studio may consider developing a new Alien vs. Predator title, assuming the separate franchises continue to do well. The two Alien vs. Predator films released to date were not well-received, but with both Prey and Alien: Romulus renewing faith in their respective franchises, there’s a possibility a modern Alien vs. Predator title could do the same.

Predator: Badlands will be released on November 7, 2025. Disney’s untitled Predator film is also scheduled to release in 2025 on an unspecified date.

8/10

Prey

Release Date

August 5, 2022

Director

Dan Trachtenberg

Cast

Amber Midthunder , Dane DiLiegro , Harlan Blayne Kytwayhat , Dakota Beavers

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Writers

Patrick Aison

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