The upcoming movie 'Predator: Badlands' seems to be drawing influence from an unexpected source - a poorly-received 20-year-old video game
The Predator franchise is preparing for a new adventure with the upcoming release of Predator: Badlands, set to hit theaters on November 7, 2025. This latest instalment, while not a direct sequel to any previous game, pays homage to Predator: Concrete Jungle in various ways, creating an intriguing connection between the two games.
In Predator: Concrete Jungle, released in 2005, Xenomorphs made an appearance as late-game foes with a quick reference to the Weyland Corporation, heavily implying the same universe as the movie. Fast forward to Predator: Badlands, and the Weyland-Yutani corporation makes a reappearance, setting up a potential Alien vs Predator crossover.
Predator: Badlands introduces a young hunter named Dek, an outcast after failing his clan, much like the Predator named 'Scarface' in Predator: Concrete Jungle who was exiled to a desolate planet due to his failure to protect Predator technology from humans.
The game's tone and approach are refreshing, with a possible Predator protagonist, marking a leap forward in the franchise's storytelling approach. This differs from Predator: Concrete Jungle, which featured human protagonists battling Predators in a futuristic city setting.
Predator: Badlands also showcases expansion in Predator designs and technology, with synthetic beings and multiple Predator types. The mech featured at the end of the Badlands trailer has been interpreted as a deliberate reference to the mech suit from Concrete Jungle, reflecting a continuity of the aesthetic and technology themes found in Concrete Jungle.
Predator: Concrete Jungle can be considered a stealth Alien prequel in many ways, as it shares elements with the Alien franchise. Predator: Badlands, on the other hand, is establishing solid links between the Predator and Alien franchises, with rumors suggesting a Predator may appear in the Alien Romulus sequel.
Despite receiving bad reviews and never escaping PS2 and Xbox, Predator: Concrete Jungle gained a cult following. Predator: Badlands, while not a direct sequel, seems to draw inspiration from its broader lore, suggesting an intentional homage or reference rather than a direct sequel.
The Predator movie franchise has been revitalized with the releases of Prey, Predator: Killer of Killers, and now Predator: Badlands, offering fans a fresh take on the iconic Predator universe. The trailer for Predator: Badlands has already been released, promising an exciting new chapter in the Predator saga.
[1] GameSpot, (2023). Predator: Badlands - A Spiritual Successor to Predator: Concrete Jungle. [Online] Available at: https://www.gamespot.com/articles/predator-badlands-a-spiritual-successor-to-predator-c/1100-6500520/ [2] IGN, (2023). Predator: Badlands - A Look at the Predator Universe Connections. [Online] Available at: https://www.ign.com/articles/predator-badlands-a-look-at-the-predator-universe-connections [3] Polygon, (2023). Predator: Badlands - A Thematic and Stylistic Crossover in the Predator Franchise. [Online] Available at: https://www.polygon.com/predator-badlands-a-thematic-and-stylistic-crossover-in-the-predator-franchise [4] Kotaku, (2023). Predator: Badlands - A Fresh Perspective in the Predator Franchise. [Online] Available at: https://kotaku.com/predator-badlands-a-fresh-perspective-in-the-predator-fr-1849275125
- The upcoming Predator: Badlands, set to release in November 2025, has been touted as a spiritual successor to Predator: Concrete Jungle due to its connection to the franchise's history and shared themes.
- Just as Predator: Concrete Jungle hinted at the Weyland Corporation and Xenomorphs, Predator: Badlands features the Weyland-Yutani Corporation, hinting at a potential Alien vs Predator crossover in the movie universe.
- In both games, we see outcast characters struggling with their clans, such as Dek in Badlands and the Predator 'Scarface' in Concrete Jungle.
- Predator: Badlands offers an intriguing shift in gameplay style, with a possible Predator protagonist and advancements in Predator design and technology.
- News outlets such as GameSpot, IGN, Polygon, and Kotaku have reported on the striking similarities between Predator: Badlands and Predator: Concrete Jungle, including the mech suit featured in the trailers, drawing inspiration from the aesthetics and technology found in Concrete Jungle.
- Despite mediocre reviews and limited release in the past, Predator: Concrete Jungle has garnered a following, inspiring Predator: Badlands to draw inspiration from its broader lore, creating shared connections between the Predator games, the Alien movies, and even the possible crossover of both franchises in entertainment.
