Are ‘Predator: Badlands’ and ‘The Acolyte’ Separated at Birth?

Disney’s new project, ‘Predator: Badlands’, sounds suspiciously like the canceled series ‘The Acolyte’ according to a plot leak from AVPGalaxy. Both stories revolve around twin sisters embarking on their own journeys, setting a backdrop of thrilling adventure and intense sibling dynamics.

‘Predator: Badlands’, a film under development by 20th Century Studios, features twins Thia and Tessa who step away from home to follow their distinct paths. Thia, a naive yet smart character, has been confined to a laboratory for most of her life and now faces the world with a mix of wit and fearlessness. Tessa, on the other hand, carries a determined and almost militant approach to achieving their family’s goals.

Interestingly, this narrative mirrors ‘The Acolyte’, where twin sisters Osha and Mae find themselves in a galaxy-spanning conflict involving the Jedi and the Sith. This similarity raises eyebrows, especially as ‘The Acolyte’ is known for being the least-watched Star Wars series on Disney+ and was not renewed after its first season.

The production details of ‘Predator: Badlands’ remain under wraps, with no official confirmation of filming or casting from Disney yet. Rumors had been circulating about Elle Fanning playing the lead roles of Thia and Tessa, but she recently indicated involvement in another project, ‘Sentimental Value’, through an Instagram post.

Adding to the intrigue, Dan Trachtenberg, who directed ‘Prey’—a film about a Comanche warrior’s encounter with an alien predator centuries ago—is reportedly back to direct ‘Badlands’. This connection suggests that ‘Badlands’ might also feature a strong historical or futuristic element, although specifics are not confirmed.

What makes this even more interesting is the setting for ‘Predator: Badlands’, rumored to be the future, and currently filming in New Zealand under the working title ‘Backback’. This adds another layer to the anticipation of how this movie will differentiate itself from its predecessors and potentially tie into the broader Predator universe.

We’re left to ponder whether ‘Predator: Badlands’ will manage to capture audiences’ imaginations and succeed where ‘The Acolyte’ unfortunately did not. With a similar premise but a different backdrop, it’s possible that the allure of sci-fi and action will draw viewers eager for a fresh narrative twist on the familiar theme of familial bonds and personal missions. The upcoming months should provide more clarity as Disney potentially lifts the veil on this secretive project.

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