For decades, the Alien and Predator franchises have thrived on mystery, mythology, and meticulously debated timelines. The question of when a story takes place has become as central to fan culture as the stories themselves. From Weyland-Yutani corporate history to the evolving designs of the Yautja, each new entry forces audiences to redraw their internal timelines like archaeologists uncovering new layers of a shared cinematic past.
With Predator: Badlands, that debate hit a new peak. Fans wanted to know: does this film intertwine with Alien: Romulus? Does it sit near Prey? Or does it bridge the gap to Alien: Resurrection? Director Dan Trachtenberg, whose approach to franchise mythology has always blended reverence with reinvention, finally settled the debate in a way that may surprise viewers.
His answer not only repositions Badlands in franchise chronology — it reveals the creative philosophy behind his entire Predator canon.
Predator: Badlands Takes Place Far Beyond All Previous Alien and Predator Stories
In a recent interview with Variety, Trachtenberg addressed the timeline question outright. His response was definitive:
“Very intentionally, it is the furthest into the future in both Predator and Alien.”
He explained, adding that he was
“excited for this to be even past Alien: Resurrection.”
This places Predator: Badlands somewhere after the year 2381, the setting of Resurrection, making it the chronologically latest story in the shared mythos.
For longtime fans, this positioning has substantial implications — especially regarding the continuity of Weyland-Yutani, humanity’s survival on Earth, and what future technologies might exist.
What does the Timeline Reveal Mean for the Franchise?
1. Weyland-Yutani Still Exists — Sort Of
In Alien: Resurrection, Weyland-Yutani had been acquired by Walmart. The presence of the corporation in Badlands suggests a re-emergence or reinterpretation of that lore.
2. Humanity Still Lives on Earth
Despite centuries of catastrophe across both film series, Badlands confirms humanity has not abandoned its home planet.
3. Franchise Events Occurred Centuries Earlier
Everything from Alien (2122) to The Predator (2018) to Prey (1719) now sits in the distant past relative to Badlands.
Alien/Predator Chronological Placement
| Title / Event | Approx. Year | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Prey | 1719 | Earliest confirmed Predator visit |
| Predator | 1987 | First Earth encounter in modern times |
| Alien | 2122 | Nostromo incident |
| Alien: Resurrection | 2381 | Ripley 8 era |
| Predator: Badlands | 2400+ | Latest point in shared timeline |
Why Trachtenberg Chose the Far Future?
Trachtenberg has become known for placing each of his Predator stories in unique eras. This choice was both practical and creative.
Avoiding Franchise Overlap
He admitted he was unsure how Alien: Romulus and Alien: Earth would affect continuity:
“I wasn’t really sure what was going on with Alien: Romulus… it made sense not to step on anyone’s toes.”
By pushing Badlands into the far future, he avoids conflicting with any other filmmaker’s plans.
Creative Freedom
Trachtenberg emphasized wanting to “do our own thing.” With no adjacent films set nearby, he could:
- Invent new Yautja technology
- Craft a fresh human society
- Explore a more advanced post-Resurrection Earth
This mirrors the isolationist approach of Prey and Killer of Killers, which operate as self-contained stories that enhance rather than depend on wider continuity.
Trachtenberg’s Predator Timelines
| Film Title | Time Period | Narrative Benefit |
|---|---|---|
| Prey | Early 1700s | Stripped-down survival story |
| Killer of Killers | Anthological (Vikings to WWII) | Historical experimentation |
| Badlands | Far future (post-2400) | Max creative freedom; new Yautja tech |
How does the Future Setting Expands the Narrative Possibilities?
Though Trachtenberg insists the goal wasn’t to set up sequels, the future period does open potential long-term pathways.
New Tech & New Yautja Variants
A far-future timeline allows designers to introduce:
- Hyper-advanced weaponry
- Evolved or specialized Predator classes
- Hybrid technologies influenced by centuries of human-Yautja contact
Freedom From Canon Restrictions
There’s no need to reconcile events with the Ripley timeline, the Xenomorph lifecycle, or existing Predator lore.
Room for New Human Cultures
Society could look dramatically different — politically, environmentally, and technologically.
Still, Trachtenberg remains cautious about expanding the story. He views Badlands as a standalone tale focused on one character: Dek (Dimitrius Koloamatangi), whose ominous final line hints at future conflict but stops short of promising one.
Quotes That Define the Director’s Approach
Dan Trachtenberg, on choosing the setting
“It was important to make sure we were doing our own thing.”
On maintaining standalone storytelling
“The appeal of these films is that they exist in a bubble.”
On why each Predator film uses a different era
“Setting the stories in different time periods opens up new ways to explore the Yautja.”
Why Setting Badlands in the Future Was the Smartest Move?
By situating Badlands beyond all known continuity, Trachtenberg sidesteps the biggest challenge in modern franchise filmmaking: being boxed in by decades of lore.
Instead, he delivers:
- A clean slate
- A fresh aesthetic
- Lower expectations for cameos or continuity
- A chance to tell a character-driven story above all else
While fans hungry for crossovers may be disappointed, the decision reinforces what Trachtenberg’s Predator work does best: focus on the hunt, not the homework.
Conclusion
In an era where franchises often bind creators to rigid continuity, Predator: Badlands breaks the pattern. By setting the story farther into the future than any Alien or Predator entry, Trachtenberg liberates the narrative from expectations, cameos, and mythology constraints.
The result is a film that stands on its own — a contained adventure, a character-driven journey, and an imaginative expansion of the universe without being tethered to every detail of the past.
As Hollywood continues chasing interconnected worlds, Badlands proves there’s still power in telling one good story in one moment in time — even if that moment is centuries beyond everything we’ve seen before.
FAQs
No. It shares universe elements but is intentionally isolated.
Yes. Trachtenberg confirmed it takes place after Alien: Resurrection (2381).
Yes, though its structure in the far future remains unclear.
Possibly, but Trachtenberg has not indicated any crossover plans.
It could — but the director has no confirmed plans to build a larger arc.
