DOUBLE VISION: ELLE FANNING’S TWIN TOUR DE FORCE IN PREDATOR’S FASHION-FORWARD FUTURE
In what promises to be the most stylistically audacious addition to cinema’s beloved extraterrestrial hunter franchise, 20th Century Studios has unveiled the pulse-quickening trailer for “Predator: Badlands,” marking the sixth installment in the iconic action sci-fi series. The sartorial possibilities alone send shivers down this fashion editor’s spine, as the incomparable Elle Fanning steps into not one, but two leading roles, portraying twin sisters in what will undoubtedly become next season’s most referenced cinematic fashion moment.
Returning to the director’s chair is the visionary Dan Trachtenberg, whose previous franchise contribution “Prey” garnered critical acclaim and four Emmy nominations, ultimately claiming the trophy for outstanding sound editing. Trachtenberg’s impressive directorial portfolio includes the claustrophobic masterpiece “10 Cloverfield Lane” and episodes of culture-defining series such as “The Boys” and “Black Mirror” – projects that have consistently delivered visual aesthetics worthy of editorial spreads.
Fanning, the ethereal blonde whose evolution from child star to fashion darling has been nothing short of magnificent, comes fresh from her regal turn as Catherine the Great in Hulu’s sumptuous period drama “The Great,” where her corseted silhouettes and jewel-encrusted ensembles became instant inspiration for runway collections worldwide. Most recently, she captivated audiences opposite fashion’s favorite leading man Timothée Chalamet in James Mangold’s Bob Dylan biopic “A Complete Unknown,” where her portrayal of Sylvie Russo showcased a 1960s bohemian aesthetic that immediately influenced editorial lookbooks.
Set against the backdrop of a remote planet in the distant future, “Predator: Badlands” introduces us to a young Predator outcast (portrayed by newcomer Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) who forms an unexpected alliance with Thia (Fanning) as they embark on a perilous quest for the ultimate adversary. One can only imagine the juxtaposition of alien textures against Fanning’s presumed utilitarian yet undoubtedly chic space-wear – perhaps the next frontier in avant-garde design inspiration.
The franchise’s legacy dates back to 1987 with the original “Predator,” helmed by John McTiernan and starring Arnold Schwarzenegger and Carl Weathers. The inaugural film, produced for a modest $15 million ($41 million in today’s currency), achieved global box office success approaching $100 million (approximately $300 million after inflation) – proving that the marriage of style and extraterrestrial substance has always been commercially viable.
Particularly intriguing for those who appreciate the cross-pollination of iconic universes is the historic connection between the Alien and Predator franchises, which previously manifested in 2004’s “Alien vs. Predator” and 2007’s “Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem.” Though these crossovers exist outside the canonical timeline of both series, the shared mythology originated in Dark Horse’s groundbreaking 1989 comic and was subtly referenced in 1990’s “Predator 2” with the inclusion of a Xenomorph skull among the Predator’s collected trophies – a detail that fashion’s most observant costume designers have surely noted.
For this latest cinematic venture, Trachtenberg collaborates once again with “Prey” screenwriter Patrick Aison, while Brent O’Connor takes the helm as producer with Richard Cowen serving as co-producer.
Mark your social calendars and prepare your premiere ensembles – “Predator: Badlands” arrives in theaters on November 7, 2025, promising to deliver not just heart-stopping action but potentially the next major influence in post-apocalyptic fashion aesthetics. This editor is already predicting mesh overlays, thermally-reactive textiles, and advanced tactical-wear to dominate the following Spring collections.
