Live-action Predator films aren’t a frequent occurrence, let alone ones that feature the titular xenohominid as the central hero. However, 20th Century Studios has released the first teaser of Predator: Badlands, a sci-fi action film that takes a decidedly different approach to the concept of the franchise’s titular killer aliens.

Predator: Badlands trailer: The premise

In the main role is Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek, a young Predator cast out of his people’s society. Faced with fighting for his life on his own, he’ll soon find an unexpected ally in the form of Thia, a Weyland-Yutani android played by Elle Fanning. The unlikely duo will have to take on “the ultimate adversary”, according to the teaser’s text card: a creature “that can’t be killed”.

Predator: Badlands will be in theaters on November 7. Watch the trailer:

The few glimpses of this being we get in the trailer look to indicate a massive monster, unlike anything we’ve seen in the Alien or Predator films before.

Predator: Badlands expands on the universe

Predator: Badlands is set to be part of the larger Predator/Alien shared universe; however, it will not be a direct sequel or part of any specific arc within it. This hasn’t stopped some strong word-of-mouth from already suggesting that at least part of the film will take place on the Predator home world, which, until now, had never been depicted in any of the films despite previous references to its existence.

In the footage we see in the teaser, there are brief flashes of alien flora and fauna, dense jungle, and even shots of busy Predator cities, with different Predators seen in various states of conflict and conversation.

The Predator/Alien shared universe has spanned over 30 years and dozens of films and spinoffs of varying quality, and one of the most enticing promises for Badlands is that it seems to want to delve into more information about Predator culture, languages, and internal societal structure. Its predecessor, Prey, from the same director, was the inverse of that approach, telling an extremely stripped-back and intimate story of two people fighting for their lives in an 18th-century American Great Plains setting.

Predator: Badlands features new aspects in the mythology

As mentioned above, Thia, the Weyland-Yutani Android that Elle Fanning will be playing in the film, is another one of the most noteworthy aspects of the film that the trailer reveals. We get to see her moving with a machine-like precision and speaking with chilling nonchalance, her sharp edges and polished contours betrayed by moments of curiosity and compassion. It marks the first time a Predator film has had its titular xenohominids so closely entangled with a human-created android as a companion, and the connection to Weyland-Yutani should be a delight for Alien franchise fans with a keen eye for spotting easter eggs and lore connections.

Predator: Badlands has a returning director

Predator: Badlands will be directed and co-written by Dan Trachtenberg, who directed last year’s prequel Prey, which is being seen as a major revitalization of the franchise. Prey was not only critically acclaimed, but found a wide audience on Hulu, where it is still streamed today, which increased its word-of-mouth value. The decision to bring Trachtenberg back to direct a direct continuation of his previous work with Badlands is a strong point for the film, indicating confidence from 20th Century Studios in the director’s vision and his ability to create something new yet still respectful to the sci-fi canon.

The filmmaker has another Predator project on the way, however, in addition to Badlands. Trachtenberg has also been attached to Predator: Killer of Killers, a Hulu-only animated anthology series that will be available on the streaming platform on June 6. The series is set to center around different Predator hunts in various eras and locations.

Predator: Badlands first teaser releases

For the most part, the film’s first teaser trailer gives us more questions than answers. There are quick flashes of Predators in ornate battle armor and ceremonial markings fighting each other, Dek traversing through unknown landscapes on his own, Thia with a seemingly powerful piece of futuristic tech, and the aforementioned shots of the “unkillable” opponent.

Scattered between the larger shots are details of the tech being used by Predators in their fights, as well as the fantastical landscapes that the film’s universe will be inhabiting, but the scale of it all is something that will be better understood when full shots are released.

The most important aspect of this teaser, though, is in how it reorients the premise. The change in perspective, from a human being hunted to a Predator being hunted, and more specifically, an outcast to his species being hunted, is a refreshing deviation from the formula, as well as opens up for more nuanced character development, in addition to possibly more complex moral undertones. The presence of Dek as a protagonist, and whether his character arc will be related to regaining his honor or reputation among the Predators, will be a major determining factor in how the audience will view a Predator as a sympathetic character.

Predator: Badlands release

Predator: Badlands will be arriving in theaters on November 7. It is to be the next major sci-fi action film release this year. Until then, there will likely be more trailers dropping that will feature more information on the plot of the film, as well as closer looks at some of its set pieces, and potentially a closer look at the “unkillable” creature that the duo will be facing.

Either way, audiences are sure to be on the side of Dek’s fight for survival one way or another, whether it is for the horror and spectacle of Predators fighting other monsters, or for the character work and potential emotional resonance of a new, unlikely hero.