The Predator franchise is making a return to theaters with the release of Predator: Badlands set for November 7, 2025.
This decision follows the success of 20th Century Studios’ historical Predator film Prey, which became a surprise hit on Hulu in 2022.
Prey director Dan Trachtenberg is back to direct Badlands, with Elle Fanning in the lead role. Up until now, it was uncertain whether the new film would be headed to streaming or theaters.
Predator: Badlands is taking the release slot originally reserved for Marvel Studios’ long-awaited Blade, which Disney has now removed from its calendar.
The change isn’t entirely unexpected, as Blade currently lacks a director and has been plagued by numerous delays.
Marvel Studios announced the new Blade project at San Diego Comic-Con back in 2019, but it has encountered several obstacles on its way to production, including the pandemic, labor strikes, and the departure of two directors.
Despite these setbacks, the studio remains determined to make the film, with Mahershala Ali set to star as the iconic vampire hunter.
Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige reaffirmed his commitment to the project in July, telling Black Tree TV, “For the last few years, as we’ve been trying to crack that movie, the most important thing for us is not rushing it, and making sure we are making the right Blade movie. Because there were some great Blade movies years ago.”
Currently, Marvel regular Eric Pearson, known for his work on Black Widow and Thor: Ragnarok, is the scriptwriter for Blade.
Wesley Snipes, who starred in the original Blade trilogy from 1998 to 2004, also made a surprise appearance in this summer’s Deadpool & Wolverine.
The film humorously brought Snipes’ version of Blade back into the spotlight, even featuring a meta-joke where his character claims there will never be another Blade besides him, to which Ryan Reynolds’ Deadpool breaks the fourth wall with a knowing look at the audience.
Marvel Studios has also claimed several release dates for untitled projects, scheduled for February 18, 2028, May 5, 2028, and November 10, 2028.
The Predator franchise began in 1987 with the original film starring Arnold Schwarzenegger.
Over the years, it has seen both successes and setbacks, but Prey helped revitalize the concept of an alien hunter coming to Earth to face off against the planet’s most dangerous prey.
