In the upcoming cinematic thrill-ride “Predator: Badlands,” Elle Fanning seems alarmed by the intensifying chaos, much like finding a vending machine offering only cauliflower flavors. Scheduled for a November 7 release by 20th Century Studios, this latest entry in the Predator franchise—directed by Dan Trachtenberg—pairs Fanning with Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi in a most imaginative buddy scheme: she’s a human, he’s an alien, and together, they’ve got issues to resolve.
The Unlikely Duo
Fanning’s character, Thia, and an outcast Predator embark on an oddball journey, presumably after casting lots to decide who gets to be the antagonist’s lunch. Cue the moment in the trailer where Fanning raises an eyebrow like a dubious art collector. “You’re hunting something that can’t be killed,” she cryptically intones, broadening our respect for her pursuit of extraterrestrial diplomacy.
Behind The Hunt
Penned by Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison, with production overseen by John Davis and Brent O’Connor, the film promises unexpected alliances and presumably fewer terrible puns than this paragraph. At CinemaCon in Las Vegas, Fanning showcased the first footage, reveling in the novelty of not being chased for once. Perhaps the Predator seeks friendship—or a midlife crisis support group.
Riding the Franchise Wave
Trachtenberg, still riding high from his reinvigoration of the franchise with “Prey” (a Hulu hit, mind you), now takes the helm again. The Predator saga began in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger flexing every muscle known to mankind against a galaxy-trotting alien with a penchant for big game. Even crossovers with the “Alien” series weren’t enough to quell its appetite for the absurd and the deadly.
Could there be anything more unsettling? Ever considered that somewhere, right now, someone is voluntarily listening to a podcast about competitive yodeling? It’s a wild world.
Source: THR
