Picture this: You’re sitting in the theater, watching Predator: Badlands unfold on the big screen. The credits roll, and you walk out thinking you’ve seen everything the film had to offer. But what if I told you that some of the most iconic characters from the Predator and Alien universes were originally supposed to appear alongside Elle Fanning’s protagonist?
That’s exactly what happened with Dan Trachtenberg’s latest entry in the Predator franchise. The director recently revealed that several beloved characters from both franchises were filmed and included in early versions of the movie, only to be cut before the final release.
For fans who’ve been following these interconnected sci-fi universes for decades, this revelation feels like discovering a hidden treasure that was almost within reach.
The Characters We Almost Saw Return
Director Dan Trachtenberg dropped this bombshell during a recent interview, explaining that Predator: Badlands originally featured much more than just Naru’s easter egg appearance. The film was supposed to include some serious heavy-hitters from the franchise’s history.
Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch, the muscle-bound hero from the original 1987 Predator film, was actually filmed for a scene in the movie. Imagine the excitement fans would have felt seeing the character who first outsmarted a Predator return to the big screen after all these years.
But that’s not all. The deadly Xenomorph from the Alien franchise also made it into early cuts of the film. This would have been a massive crossover moment, bringing together two of science fiction’s most terrifying alien species in one movie.
“We had scenes with these characters that were fully realized in temporary visual effects,” Trachtenberg explained. “But as we refined the story, it became clear that these appearances were more distracting than enhancing.”
What Got Left on the Cutting Room Floor
The deleted content from Predator: Badlands represents a fascinating look at what could have been. Here’s what we know about the removed elements:
| Character/Element | Original Franchise | Planned Role |
|---|---|---|
| Dutch (Arnold Schwarzenegger) | Predator (1987) | Extended cameo sequence |
| Xenomorph | Alien franchise | Crossover appearance |
| Backbiter creature | Predator: Killer of Killers | Animated reference |
| Extended Naru scenes | Prey (2022) | Substantial dialogue sequence |
The most intriguing aspect of these cuts involves the scope of what was originally planned. Trachtenberg revealed that entire dialogue sequences were written and filmed, not just brief visual references.
The backbiter creature from the animated Predator: Killer of Killers would have created an interesting bridge between different media formats within the franchise. This shows how ambitious the original vision for Badlands really was.
According to the director, the scenes were so extensive that they required temporary visual effects work to be completed before the decision was made to remove them entirely.
Why These Scenes Had to Go
Making the decision to cut beloved characters from a major franchise film couldn’t have been easy. Trachtenberg explained that the removals came down to storytelling focus and pacing issues that emerged during the editing process.
“Sometimes you have to kill your darlings,” a studio executive familiar with the production process noted. “These were amazing moments that tested really well with focus groups, but they were pulling attention away from Elle Fanning’s character arc.”
The director emphasized that the cuts were made to ensure that Predator: Badlands maintained its core narrative integrity. With so many iconic characters appearing, there was a real risk that the film would become more about fan service than telling a coherent story.
The extended Naru sequences, in particular, presented challenges because they required significant backstory explanation for viewers who hadn’t seen Prey. What started as exciting crossover content began to feel like homework for casual moviegoers.
Trachtenberg also mentioned that the Xenomorph appearance, while visually stunning, created continuity questions that would have required additional exposition to address properly.
What This Means for Franchise Fans
The revelation about these deleted scenes has massive implications for how fans view the current state of the Predator and Alien franchises. It shows that the creative teams are actively thinking about connections between these properties.
For longtime franchise enthusiasts, knowing that Dutch was actually filmed for Predator: Badlands creates both excitement and frustration. The character’s return would have been a major event for the series, especially given Schwarzenegger’s iconic status in action cinema.
The Xenomorph inclusion suggests that the studios are seriously considering more crossover content between the Alien and Predator universes. This could indicate future projects that might explore these connections more thoroughly.
“The fact that they filmed this content shows there’s real appetite for bringing these universes together,” explained a franchise analyst who requested anonymity. “It’s not just wishful thinking from fans anymore.”
The deleted scenes also highlight the challenges of managing interconnected franchise properties. While fans love seeing their favorite characters return, filmmakers must balance nostalgia with fresh storytelling.
The Future of Crossover Content
Predator: Badlands premiered in theaters on November 7, 2025, and became available on digital platforms on January 6, 2026. The film stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, alongside supporting actors Reuben de Jong, Mike Homik, and Cameron Brown.
Despite the cuts, the movie has performed well with both critics and audiences. This success, combined with the revealed deleted content, suggests that future Predator films might take a more ambitious approach to franchise connections.
The decision to remove these characters doesn’t mean they’ll never appear together on screen. In fact, Trachtenberg hinted that the footage might find its way into future projects or special releases.
Industry insiders suggest that the positive reaction to learning about these deleted scenes might influence how future Predator and Alien films approach crossover content. There’s clearly audience demand for seeing these universes collide.
FAQs
Will we ever see the deleted Predator: Badlands scenes?
Director Dan Trachtenberg hasn’t ruled out including them in future special releases or director’s cuts.
Why was Arnold Schwarzenegger’s Dutch cut from the film?
The scenes were removed to maintain narrative focus and prevent the film from becoming too focused on fan service rather than the main story.
Did the Xenomorph actually appear in filmed footage?
Yes, the Alien creature was included in early versions with temporary visual effects before being cut during editing.
Are there plans for more Alien and Predator crossovers?
While nothing official has been announced, the fact that crossover content was filmed suggests studios are considering future collaborations.
How much of Naru’s content was removed from Predator: Badlands?
Significant dialogue sequences featuring the Prey character were cut down to just a brief easter egg appearance.
Will these deleted characters appear in future Predator films?
The positive fan reaction to news of the deleted scenes suggests future films might be more ambitious about including crossover elements.
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