The upcoming film Predator: Badlands, set to release in theaters on November 7, 2025, has sparked interest due to its surprising connections to the lesser-known video game Predator: Concrete Jungle. Directed by Dan Trachtenberg, this latest installment in the Predator franchise appears to draw inspiration from a variety of sources, including the Alien films and the 2005 video game that has garnered a cult following.
The Predator movie series has experienced a resurgence in recent years, particularly with the releases of Prey and Predator: Killer of Killers. Fans are now eagerly anticipating Badlands, which promises to take audiences to a distant future filled with advanced technology, including the presence of the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. This corporation, already familiar to fans of the Alien series, hints at future crossovers between the beloved franchises, a connection that first appeared in the video game.
The Parallels Between Stories
The narrative in Badlands centers around a young Yautja hunter named Dek, who is on a quest to reclaim his honor after failing his clan. This setup mirrors the plot of Concrete Jungle, where a Predator named ‘Scarface’ is exiled after a failed mission leads to his injury and subsequent self-destruction attempt. While the timelines differ—Concrete Jungle is set in 2030, and Badlands ventures much further into the future—the themes of redemption and the consequences of human actions resonate strongly in both stories.
In Concrete Jungle, Scarface’s journey involves confronting the mob in the year 1930 in New Way City. After a disastrous encounter, he is exiled to a desolate planet where he faces formidable foes. The ambitious storyline, filled with unexpected twists, set a high bar for action-adventure narratives within the franchise. As Badlands unfolds, it remains to be seen how closely it will follow the character arcs and narrative beats established in the earlier game.
Connections to the Alien Universe
The ties between the two franchises extend beyond thematic similarities. In Concrete Jungle, the presence of the Weyland Corporation hints at a shared universe, with references to characters such as Charles Bishop Weyland and the implications of the Alien queen’s capture. These elements enrich the lore of both series, making the prospect of a future crossover tantalizing for fans.
The game also introduces surprising twists, including a character named Isabella Borgia, who survives across timelines due to her exposure to Predator blood and is later revived as a supercomputer named MOTHER. Such imaginative storytelling, while often whimsical, aligns with the adventurous spirit of both the Predator and Alien franchises.
As Predator: Badlands approaches its release, it is clear that 20th Century Studios is mining the rich history of both the Predator films and its extended universe. By incorporating elements from Concrete Jungle and other media, the filmmakers are not only paying homage to their predecessors but also laying the groundwork for a broader narrative that might resonate with long-time fans and newcomers alike.
With anticipation building for the film, it is worth revisiting Predator: Concrete Jungle, which remains available on platforms like PS2 and Xbox. The connections drawn between these two works may indeed hold the key to revitalizing the Predator franchise and expanding its cinematic potential.
