Dan Trachtenberg Talks ‘Predator: Badlands’ Sequel and ‘Alien vs Predator 3’

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The recent release of Predator: Badlands has been a hit, becoming one of the most popular films in the Predator series. Both critics and audiences have responded positively, and it’s likely director Dan Trachtenberg could develop more stories in this universe. When asked about potential sequels or spin-offs, Trachtenberg hinted that there are possibilities, but it’s too soon to share details.

Shane Black recently spoke with The Direct about the possibility of making more Predator movies. While it’s too soon to start planning a sequel – Predator: Badlands still needs to finish its run in theaters so Disney can assess its performance – Black shared that he has several additional ideas for expanding the story and universe he began with his previous film.

I’m really hoping this movie succeeds, and I think it has a good chance. If it does, I’d definitely be excited to make sequels – I have a lot of ideas already!

Could Trachtenberg Make ‘Alien vs. Predator 3’?


20th Century Studios

Director Trachtenberg is hopeful about making more Predator movies, keeping them separate from the Alien series. He’s explored three very different, yet compelling, approaches to the story of the deadly alien hunter.

When asked by The Direct if he’d be open to a major crossover event like Alien vs. Predator, Trachtenberg didn’t dismiss the idea. Director Fede Álvarez has hinted at working with Trachtenberg on a potential Alien vs. Predator 3, and Trachtenberg remains playfully vague when questioned about a crossover.

What I find most exciting is taking these ideas and really developing them. It’s important not to rush the process and end up with something unfinished. We need to let things develop fully, like letting a dish simmer until it’s just right. Honestly, I’m not much of a cook, and all these cooking terms are overwhelming!

The director also discussed how Predator: Badlands connects to the Alien franchise. While developing the story with writer Patrick Aison, it wasn’t difficult to establish that the film exists within the same universe as the xenomorphs. The powerful and often villainous Weyland-Yutani corporation from Alien does appear in Badlands, but that’s the extent of the connection. The director made a conscious decision not to include the xenomorphs themselves, and here’s why:

After making ‘Prey’ a story about individual survival, I wanted to focus on relationships in this film. Since we were giving the Predator a different language, I wanted it to interact with something – to give us a glimpse into its motivations. It wasn’t going to explain itself through dialogue, so I needed a partner for it. I decided against a human character because the story would then become about them, with the Predator just appearing in it – ‘Terminator 2’ already did that. My goal was to ensure the Predator remained the central character, so I thought pairing it with another monster – a robot – would be a really interesting dynamic.

I realized I knew a robotics company—owned by Fox and Disney—that could help. I’d also worked with these franchises before, and I thought it would be much more interesting to combine elements from different worlds instead of just using action figures. It was a way to create something fresh and hadn’t really been done before, and that’s how the idea developed.

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2025-11-23 22:18