The Predator is back and more dominant than ever. Dan Trachtenberg's Predator: Badlands exceeded expectations at the box office in its opening weekend, earning a hunt-worthy $80 million worldwide - $12 million ahead of the higher end of pre-release projections. For the third time in the space of four years, Trachtenberg proves that there is clearly still a high demand for the Yautja hunters.
Predator: Badlands focuses on one specific Yautja warrior named Dek, who arrives on an alien planet called Genna. He's looking to hunt the deadliest creature known in the galaxy but, while there, he encounters an android named Thia, who he forms an unlikely alliance with. Let's just say that things get very interesting as the plot unravels - and action-packed, very action-packed.
But, when all the fighting is over, is there anything to wait around for after the credits? Kind of, maybe, potentially... well, it's complicated.
Predator: Badlands has a pre-credits scene
No, that isn't a mistype - Predator: Badlands does indeed have an extra scene after the movie ends, but instead of it taking place after or during the credits, it takes place, well, before them. After this early tag, there are no more scenes post-credits.
Let us explain! Be warned, there are SPOILERS ahead.
The film ends in dramatic, triumphant fashion after Dek kills his monstrous father, exacting revenge on the creature who took his beloved brother Kwei from him. His new clan isn't formed of creatures like him, but of Thia - his android companion who has become his close friend - and Bud - a creature from the planet Genna, who also happens to be a baby Kalisk. As Thia calls him "Dek of Yautja" for the fourth time, he finally accepts the honor, as well as his technologically-advanced invisibility cloak and roars as the screen cuts to black - and the Predator: Badlands logo appears.
However, before the credits can roll, we immediately cut back to the landscape of the Yautja's planet as Dek's former clan all look ahead. Dek does the same, along with Thia and Bud to see a giant, intimidating ship hovering in the distance. Thia asks if this is more friends of Dek's and he responds "No. It's my mother." The scene then cuts to black and the credits roll.
Needless to say, that sets up a potential sequel in which Dek and his clan may have to face off against his mother. And if Dek's father was a heartless monster, what does that mean for the rest of his family? Is his mother even more of a force to be reckoned with? Can Dek, Thia, and Bud stop her?
Here's hoping that a potential Predator: Badlands 2 has the answers!