Although the Predator movies have established the titular Yautja as one of the deadliest hunters in the galaxy, each movie leaves one or more survivors standing to retell their encounter with the terrifying alien. Unlike other successful sci-fi series, Predator does not rely on returning characters to provide continuity between installments. That said, the number of Predator survivors means that there is plenty of scope for potential returnees in the new future-set Badlands movie from Prey director Dan Trachtenberg.
Excluding the most minor roles, there are 15 surviving characters who could potentially return in Badlands. While some of these are unlikely – either due to the unpopularity of their movies or their negligible impact on the plot, others would be hugely exciting for long-term fans of the series. With details for Badlands mostly under wraps – save for the revelation that it will be set “sometime in the future” (via THR) – there are multiple possibilities for which characters could come back and how they could feasibly return. Even though some have so far failed to make much of an impact, Badlands could represent their shot at Predator redemption.
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15 Molly (Ariel Gade)
Survived – Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem
Although Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem has gone down in infamy as one of the worst entries in either the Predator or Alien franchises, the movie did leave a surprisingly high number of survivors. Among them was Molly – the daughter of Kelly and Tim O’Brien who manages to flee the tactical nuclear device at the end of the movie with her mother. In AVPR, Molly is little more than a pale imitation of Aliens‘ Newt. However, her age could mean that, in a Predator movie set in the future, she could yet make a return to the franchise, having already survived one encounter with the Yautja.
14 Ricky (Johnny Lewis)
Survived – Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem
Another of AVPR‘s distinctly unremarkable characters, Ricky is a somewhat surprising survivor, since he seems to possess very few obvious survival skills – especially in the face of two extraterrestrial species born to hunt. Nevertheless, despite suffering a serious injury, he does make it through the events of AVPR alive – if a little the worse for wear. While his return to the franchise seems unlikely, his experience in AVPR could help turn him into a relative Predator expert, with knowledge that could prove invaluable in a future fight against the creatures.
13 Kelly (Reiko Aylesworth)
Survived – Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem
An ex-soldier who puts her skills to good use in defense of her family, Kelly fulfills an archetype seen throughout the Predator franchise. However, while other soldiers are frequently shown to fall short when up against a Predator’s superior firepower, Kelly is able to succeed thanks to her bond with her daughter and protective instinct. Like other Aliens Vs Predator: Requiem survivors, the film’s poor reputation may prevent her from making a comeback. However, her proven Predator-fighting credentials and combat expertise would make her an interesting inclusion in Badlands.
12 Dallas (Steven Pasquale)
Survived – Aliens Vs. Predator: Requiem
The final main AVPR survivor – excluding peripheral figures like Ms. Yutani, Dallas distinguishes himself by using Predator Wolf’s plasma blaster to fight off attacking xenomorphs. Although the weapon is later confiscated, Dallas proves himself to be a worthy adversary and could be considered suitable for a comeback thanks to his formative experience in Colorado. Of course, it is extremely unlikely that Badlands will use AVPR as its source material. Nevertheless, characters like Dallas prove that there is some potential for development in the right circumstances.
11 Rory (Jacob Tremblay)
Survived – The Predator
While not as reviled as AVPR, Shane Black’s 2018 return to the franchise in The Predator was a huge disappointment for fans hoping for a repeat of the thrilling action of the original. However, despite the movie’s poor critical performance, The Predator did introduce some new ideas and characters to the franchise that could be explored further. One such survivor is Jacob Tremblay’s Rory.
The son of Quinn McKenna, Rory plays a pivotal role in the fight against the new Predator subspecies. Despite his youth, he was able to use his preternatural ability to translate languages to give McKenna and Bracket a fighting chance against the aliens. He is also present during The Predator‘s “Predator killer” scene – a plot point that could come back, depending on what direction Badlands takes.
10 McKenna (Boyd Holbrook)
Survived – The Predator
One of the main protagonists in The Predator, Quinn McKenna fulfills the role left by Dutch in the original Predator movie. An experienced soldier, he too becomes aware of the Predators after a botched hostage retrieval mission. However, his future in the franchise may depend upon whether or not Trachtenberg decides to continue exploring the technological teases left behind in The Predator‘s movie ending.
Like his son Rory, McKenna is also present during the unveiling of the mysterious “Predator killer” suit. Furthermore, he also stakes his claim to be the suit’s first official human pilot, paving the way for a more even fight against the aliens. After the radically different direction taken by Prey, it may be that this plot point goes nowhere. However, McKenna’s survival and role in the scene means that it could yet figure in the future of the franchise.
9 Bracket (Olivia Munn)
Survived – The Predator
The final member of the three main The Predator survivors, Olivia Munn’s Bracket assumes a very different role to McKenna. As an evolutionary biologist, she provides expert insight revealing the Predators’ plan to improve themselves with other creatures’ DNA. This is a crucial development in the franchise that explains the appearance of The Predator‘s giant Yautja – and perhaps Prey‘s so-called “feral Predator“.
It is unclear to what extent Badlands may continue The Predator‘s plot device of hybridization. However, the distinctive appearance of Trachtenberg’s antagonist in Prey suggests that the director may be open to the idea. If this does indeed prove to be an important plot point, bringing back Bracket may be a possibility.
8 Leona Cantrell (María Conchita Alonso)
Survived – Predator 2
An interesting example of the limits of the Predators’ ruthlessness, Leona Cantrell is one of few people to have fought the alien and be spared. In Predator 2, she and Lambert (Bill Paxton) encounter the monster on a subway train. As Cantrell tries to usher the passengers to safety, Lambert tries and fails to fight off the Predator, dying in the process. When Cantrell returns to the carriage to find Lambert’s body, she is given a reprieve by the creature after a scan reveals her pregnancy.
Although it’s unclear in what capacity Cantrell could return to the franchise, her survival is crucial in understanding what the Predators consider to be a worthy kill. Even though she was armed, the creature still decided to spare her, suggesting an element of empathy in the war-like race. Even if Cantrell herself doesn’t return, the experience of her character sets an interesting precedent for the series.
7 Anna (Elpidia Carrillo)
Survived – Predator
While Schwarzenegger’s Dutch understandably stole survival headlines following the finale of the first Predator film, it’s important to recognize that he was not the film’s only survivor. Elpidia Carrillo’s Anna, who was taken hostage by Dutch’s team as they tried to escape the Guatemalan jungle, not only added a much-needed female presence to the movie’s ultra-masculine tone, but also established the precedent that Predators will spare victims if there’s “no sport” in the hunt. This point has proved crucial throughout the franchise.
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Interestingly, Anna has already returned to the Predator series in a limited capacity. A scene in Predator 2 shows her on a videotape being interviewed about her experience in the jungle. This moment makes her the only recurring character in the franchise to date – including the different Predators themselves. Since she has already broken the mould once, it’s not impossible that she could yet make another comeback – either in person, or on another historic tape.
6 Alexa Woods (Sanaa Lathan)
Survived – Alien Vs. Predator
The first of the franchise’s Alien crossover projects, Alien Vs. Predator made several controversial additions to the lore of both franchises. From Predator‘s point of view, perhaps the most contentious was Alexa Woods’ team-up with the final surviving Predator to take on the xenomorph threat at the end of the movie. Awarded with an Alien skull-shield and tail-spear, Alexa became the first human to join Team Predator – despite the confusing implications that had for the species’ behavior throughout the rest of the franchise.
While Alexa’s team-up was a controversial narrative decision, the character remains one of the most important survivors in the entire Predator saga. In fact, her fighting prowess was such that she was recognized by the elder predators at the end of the movie as a worthy adversary, presenting her with a ceremonial spear. Even though Alien Vs. Predator remains a controversial part of the Predator universe, Alexa’s pivotal role in the movie makes her a prime candidate for a later return in Badlands.
5 Mike Harrigan (Danny Glover)
Survived – Predator 2
The main protagonist of Predator 2 and another human recognized as a worthy adversary by the Yautja, Detective Mike Harrigan is one of a handful of characters to have faced off against a Predator and emerged victorious. After pursuing the alien through the streets of L.A, Harrigan was let in on the creature’s secrets through his interaction with Gary Busey’s Agent Keyes. As such, he is not just a survivor, but is also armed with knowledge as to the creatures’ culture and abilities.
Given Badlands‘ proposed place in the Predator timeline and Harrigan’s age, a return in a “future set” movie may seem unlikely. However, with the franchise’s setting within the realm of science fiction, it’s perfectly possible that the franchise could incorporate elements like time travel in order to bring back key characters. Although it might require a somewhat convoluted narrative, Harrigan’s previous encounter with the Predators (and his flintlock pistol prize) make him suitable for a return.
4 Isabelle (Alice Braga)
Survived – Predators
One of two survivors in Nimrod Ántal’s underrated 2010 thriller Predators, Isabelle is arguably one of the characters best-placed for a return. An IDF sniper who allies with Adrien Brody’s Royce, Isabelle narrowly escapes being killed by the serial killer Edwin. The movie’s uncertain place in the Predator franchise timeline means that it could theoretically take place in a similar period to the “future set” Badlands. This makes its story potentially ripe for expansion.
Another factor that makes Isabelle’s prospective return exciting is Predators‘ cliffhanger ending. Despite overcoming their alien adversary, both Isabelle and Royce were seemingly stranded on the alien planet, with little hope of escape. Both the confirmed existence of the alien world and the pair’s continued survival means that some resolution to their story could be an interesting way for Badlands to connect to the wider Predator universe.
3 Royce (Adrien Brody)
Survived – Predators
The other half of Predators‘ surviving duo, Adrien Brody’s Royce is in many ways the natural successor to Dutch. A former Black Ops operative with expert survival and combat skills, he is able to overcome his alien captors, dramatically decapitating one in the movie’s finale. This skillset makes him ideally placed for a Badlands comeback.
Another important factor in Royce’s return is actor Adrien Brody’s reported interest in returning to the role and franchise. It’s unclear how he and Isabelle could factor into Badlands‘ story, or whether or not Trachtenberg considers any films post-1987 to be a suitable launchpad. Nevertheless, Royce’s Predator-fighting prowess makes him an interesting candidate for a return.
2 Naru (Amber Midthunder)
Survived – Prey
Arguably the most resourceful of the Predator survivors ever seen on screen, Amber Midthunder’s Naru cemented her status as a series icon with her role in Trachtenberg’s acclaimed prequel Prey. A Comanche healer and hunter, Naru doesn’t have the luxury of advanced technology and firearms to fight off her adversary. Instead, she has to make do with the resources available to her in 1719 – making her success all the more impressive.
Although she dramatically survived the Prey finale and post-credits scenes, there is a major obstacle to Naru’s Badlands return. Trachtenberg’s explicit plan for a “future” setting could suggest that her story already has its ending. However, given how other franchises, such as Alien, have been able to incorporate time jumps into the narrative while keeping key cast members, it’s not impossible for Naru to feature.
1 Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger)
Survived – Predator
The original – and arguably still the most iconic – Predator survivor, Schwarzenegger’s Dutch provided the blueprint for how best to defeat the deadly Yautja. By eschewing modern weapons and taking a back-to-basics approach, he is able to overcome his adversary in a grueling jungle fight, providing that for all their technology, Predators are not invincible. Dutch’s survival at the end of the movie, despite the creature’s self-destruct device, is a testament to the character’s resilience.
Despite the Predator franchise’s history of avoiding returning characters, there have been multiple attempts to bring Dutch back over the years. A pay dispute and scheduling conflict with Terminator 2, for instance, prevented him from featuring in Predator 2, while Schwarzenegger’s election as Governor of California made a planned Alien Vs. Predator cameo impossible. While Badlands‘ supposed time jump could pose problems for a potential comeback, Dutch remains the one Predator character fans would most like to see again.
Predator
- Created by
- Jim Thomas , John Thomas
- First Film
- Predator
- Cast
- Carl Weathers , Arnold Schwarzenegger , Kevin Peter Hall , Peter Cullen , Derek Mears , Danny Glover , Gary Busey , Adrien Brody , Topher Grace , Walton Goggins , Françoise Yip , Boyd Holbrook , Olivia Munn , Amber Midthunder , Dakota Beavers
- Video Game(s)
- Predator: Hunting Grounds , Predator: Concrete Jungle
