Predator: Badlands Sets Up a Sci-Fi Expendables Replacement

by

The latest Predator movie, Badlands, is the third recent installment that’s been a hit with fans. Along with Prey and Killer of Killers, these films have breathed new life into the Predator series for both longtime viewers and newcomers. Interestingly, some believe Predator is now in a good position to take the place of another action series, The Expendables.

The latest Predator film, Badlands, ends with a major surprise: after confronting Dek’s father, his mother appears. This cliffhanger has fans eager to know what happens next, and other action franchises offer a possible path forward. While The Expendables series has slowed down, the idea of uniting popular action stars could work well within the Predator universe.

Killer of Killers is the Key to Predator: Badland’s Next Chapter

What sets Predator: Badlands apart is its seamless continuation of the story from Predator: Killer of Killers. The previous installment left viewers on the Yautja homeworld, and Badlands expands on that, giving us a deeper understanding of their culture. It highlights the significance of a Predator’s first hunt and emphasizes that these hunts are meant to be undertaken solo, not as part of a group.

Following his father’s murder of his brother, Dek is forced to track down one of the galaxy’s deadliest beasts. Along the way, he encounters Thia, an android, and a young Kallisk creature. This experience teaches Dek the strength of teamwork and that he doesn’t have to face challenges alone.

The film features warriors gathered from different eras and cultures, brought together to battle in a seemingly unwinnable arena. They discover the strength of teamwork and manage to achieve some victories, ultimately leading to two of them successfully breaking free.

The movie also reveals that the Yautja collect trophies by freezing characters from past films – even Dutch, the hero from the original Predator. Given that Dek is now facing much larger threats in Badlands, it would be logical to assemble a stronger team to fight his mother and her army.

An Expendables-Style Film Would Stun Predator Fans

A strong team is being assembled for the future of the Predator series, and some familiar faces from previous films might return. Similar to The Expendables, which brought together many famous action stars for a high-octane adventure, the Predator franchise aims to recapture that magic. While The Expendables successfully ran for four movies before losing steam, the goal is to build a lasting series with actors like Arnold Schwarzenegger and Sylvester Stallone at the forefront.

The Predator universe could explore similar storytelling approaches by showcasing iconic characters from its own history. With the introduction of the Killer of Killers concept, it’s even possible to see Arnold Schwarzenegger appear in both existing and new Predator projects. This technology allows for a lot of creative freedom when choosing which characters to include in the films.

Bringing together Dek, Dutch, Naru, Thia, and the Kallisk would create an incredibly powerful team. And that’s not even considering all the other potential characters lurking within this universe! This approach would be a major shift for the franchise, which typically tells standalone stories. It would offer something genuinely new and exciting for fans eager for fresh, original content inspired by the 80s icon.

Although it sounds unlikely, a team-up isn’t out of the question. The recent Badlands episode hinted at a larger danger for Dek, which could lead to him gaining new allies. Seeing a group like The Expendables assemble in this sci-fi universe would be incredibly satisfying for fans.

5 Questions
Predator Power Teams: Can Yautja Heroes Unite Like Expendables?
Your Top Score
—
Attempts
—
0
0
Report Error

Found an error? Send it so it can be corrected.

Read More

2026-02-21 16:06