Following 2022's magnificent Prey, 20th Century and Dan Trachtenberg are returning to the Predator universe with the standalone sci-fi pic Badlands, and Elle Fanning (The Neon Demon, The Great, the upcoming Death Stranding 2: On the Beach) is reportedly being eyed to star.
Deadline, who reported the news exclusively earlier today, say that Trachtenberg will direct Badlands from a script he co-wrote with Patrick Aison, and that plot details are being kept tightly under wraps.
Prey, which starred Amber Midthunder as a young Comanche woman facing off against the infamous extraterrestrial behemoth, not only broke streaming records for Hulu but also earned itself six Emmy nominations – not to mention three FANGORIA Chainsaw Award wins for Best Costume Design, Best Creature FX and Best Streaming Premiere Film.
Here's what Deadline has to say about Fanning's potential casting:
While Prey featured a cast of relative unknowns and rising stars like Amber Midthunder, execs and Trachtenberg wanted to try and land an established star for this new standalone pic and began taking meetings with talent. Insiders close to the project say Fanning is a fan of the franchise and once execs got wind of her interest moved to set a meeting with her and Trachtenberg. Following that meeting between the two, Fanning was on board and once a deal closes momentum is expected to pick up with the hope to shoot later this. year.
The success of Prey meant another Trachtenberg-Aison take on the Predator universe was pretty much a given – hopefully Badlands will get the theatrical release that Prey also deserved.
And speaking of Prey, don't forget a direct sequel is reportedly in the works too, with Deadline reminding us that sources say is still in early development, but would return to the film's original setting and with Midthunder, potentially returning.
All in all, an excellent day to be a Predator fan – we'll bring you updates on Badlands as and when we get them.
