Key Takeaways:
– 20th Century Studios is reportedly considering Elle Fanning for the lead role in its new Predator installment, Badlands.
– Co-written by Dan Trachtenberg and Patrick Aison, the details of the upcoming movie remain undisclosed.
– Despite its critical acclaim, the female-led Furiosa, featuring Anya Taylor-Joy, performed poorly at the global box office causing fans to doubt another female-led Predator movie.
Pushing the Boundaries of the Predator Universe
The Predator franchise, the iconic science fiction action horror storyline by 20th Century Studios, has been growing more profound with time. The narrative, which is primarily based on humans engaging with an intelligent extraterrestrial race fond of hunting, is all set for expansion with a new installment. Reports suggest that the studio seeks to cast Elle Fanning as the lead in the upcoming movie, Badlands.
Earlier this year, it was announced that 20th Century Studios was working on expanding its Predator Universe. This project, Bandlands, comes with Dan Trachtenberg as the writer and director, firmly positioning the film as a high-priority for the studio. With negotiations ongoing with Fanning, the new path of the franchise might be on the horizon soon.
Shifting to Female-led Action Films
The vision for the new film is to have it be female-led, following Amber Midthunder’s leading role in Prey, the critically acclaimed release of 2022. Although Amber was a relatively unknown—the film’s success stated a powerful case for female-led films. When it comes to established actors, Elle Fanning, known for projects like The Great on Hulu, would certainly be a more recognizable face and a potential draw for audiences.
Deadline reports suggest that the final confirmation regarding Fanning’s participation in Badlands is yet to come. Amid speculations, fans are expressing concerns about another female-led action movie, given the recent global box office response to Furiosa.
Audience Reactions: Dipping Confidence in Female-led Films?
Despite earning critical acclaim and audience ratings, the prequel to the Oscar-winning Mad Max: Fury Road, Furiosa, has underperformed at the global box office. Starring Anya Taylor-Joy, Furiosa garnered a rather disappointing $114 million worldwide, leaving fans of the Predator franchise dubious about the success of another female-led action film.
Considering the performance of Furiosa, fans are expressing mixed feelings about another female-led installment in the Predator franchise. Discussions among the audience reveal that while there is recognition for Fanning’s acting prowess, the timing for another “girl boss” movie might not be ideal, especially for a franchise with the stature of Predator.
Only Time Will Tell
Whether Badlands follows the same route as Furiosa or basks in success mirroring Prey, only time would reveal. At present, fans and critics can only eagerly anticipate the outcome.
If you’re looking to catch up with the ongoing action, Furiosa is currently screening in theatres, and Prey is available for streaming on Hulu.
