Predator: Badlands Timeline Confirmed by Director, Set in Distant Future

Director Dan Trachtenberg has officially confirmed the setting for his upcoming film, “Predator: Badlands.” The movie will take place far in the future of the established Predator universe. This strategic decision was made to create a standalone story for new audiences.

The confirmation came during a recent interview with the director. He cited the complex timeline of the broader franchise as a key reason for this choice.

A Deliberate Leap Forward in the Predator Saga

Trachtenberg explained the creative reasoning behind the time jump. He was aware of other franchise developments, including the then-unreleased “Alien: Romulus.” According to IGN, the director wanted to avoid timeline confusion for viewers.

He expressed a desire to prevent the film from feeling like “homework.” The distant future setting allows “Badlands” to be its own distinct entry. All previous events in the series will have already occurred before this new story begins.

Clearing the Decks for a New Hunt

This move signals a fresh start for the Predator franchise. It frees the narrative from direct connections to previous characters or plotlines. The focus can remain entirely on new characters and threats.

The decision benefits both new viewers and longtime fans. Newcomers can jump in without prior knowledge. Fans can enjoy a new chapter that respects the existing lore without being constrained by it. This approach aims to reinvigorate the iconic series.

This confirmation firmly places the “Predator: Badlands” timeline in a new, uncharted era, setting the stage for a completely original hunt.

Info at your fingertips

Q1: When does Predator: Badlands take place?

Director Dan Trachtenberg confirmed the film is set in the distant future of the Predator universe. This places it well after all previous movies in the timeline.

Q2: Is Predator: Badlands a reboot?

While it exists in the same universe, its far-future setting acts as a soft reboot. It is designed to be a fresh starting point for audiences.

Q3: Will Predator: Badlands connect to the Alien franchise?

There is no confirmed connection. The director’s comments were about managing multiple franchise timelines, not a crossover story.

Q4: Why set the movie so far in the future?

The goal was to avoid timeline confusion with other projects. This allows “Badlands” to tell a self-contained story without requiring viewers to have seen past films.

Q5: Who is directing Predator: Badlands?

Dan Trachtenberg is directing the film. He previously directed the well-received film “Prey,” which revitalized interest in the Predator franchise.

Trusted Sources

IGN