7 Mind-Blowing Theories About Elle Fanning’s Android Character in Predator: Badlands

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One intriguing question about the upcoming film Predator: Badlands, directed by Dan Trachtenberg (of Prey fame), revolves around the enigmatic android character Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning. The movie finds Thia and a young Predator named Dek (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) traversing Dek’s home planet, where they encounter the deadliest game in the cosmos. Notably, Thia is an android crafted by Weyland-Yutani, the mega-corporation known from the Alien series, which has a history of intertwining with the Predator universe.

The addition of Fanning’s android character in “Predator: Badlands” presents a multitude of possibilities for the plot. Given Weyland-Yutani’s sinister background from the “Alien” films, it is plausible that they sent Thia to the Predator’s planet for underhanded reasons, potentially making her a hidden adversary. However, the narrative in “Predator: Badlands” seems to be heading towards a different direction as Thia and Dek encounter each other on an alien battlefield, which could result in her assuming a more heroic role instead. With numerous routes that her character might take, the enigma surrounding Thia’s role in “Predator: Badlands” has become even more intriguing.

1. Thia Is Searching For Predators

Weyland-Yutani May Be Looking For More Aliens

In the Alien series, where the Weyland-Yutani Corporation has a history of malicious actions, it’s reasonable to suspect that they are up to something sinister once more in Predator: Badlands. Just as they attempted to transport a Xenomorph back to Earth using Ash (Ian Holm), it seems Weyland-Yutani may have sent Thia on a mission to capture a Predator for study. However, similar to their intentions with the Xenomorphs, there’s a strong possibility that the company aims to weaponize the Predator by cloning them into an army of highly skilled alien warriors. Consequently, Thia could be chasing Dek through the wilderness in an attempt to bring him back to her creators.

2. Only Thia Could Survive On The Predator’s World

Thia Was Chosen For Her Advantages As An Android

In the tale of Predator: Badlands, being set on the Predators’ native planet, it seems that human survival is challenging, if not impossible, given the harsh alien atmosphere; unless equipped with a spacesuit. Unlike humans, synthetic android, Thia, might thrive in this world without needing to breathe oxygen. As we’ve seen with previous Weyland-Yutani androids such as Ash and David (portrayed by Michael Fassbender), they don’t require lungs for sustenance, which suggests their unique ability to survive.

It’s plausible that Thia was selected for this mission due to the unique environment of this planet, allowing her to move freely without hindrance from its atmosphere. Her task, presumably given by Weyland-Yutani, might not be limited to capturing a Predator; it could involve other objectives as well. Given this, it’s possible that human soldiers will lean heavily on Thia and her unique skills to successfully accomplish the mission.

3. Thia Is The Sole Survivor Of An Expedition

Thia Appears In The Aftermath Of Her Crew’s Massacre

It’s quite improbable that Thia would have ventured to the Predator’s planet alone. Given her android abilities, the sheer volume and diverse nature of the dangerous creatures inhabiting this world might still be overwhelming for her to manage single-handedly. Similar to characters in the Alien series, it seems plausible that she was dispatched by Weyland-Yutani to this planet as part of a human crew, for some unknown reason.

Given the presence of dangerous aliens and formidable Predators on this planet, it’s plausible that she was the sole survivor from her crew, having been hunted down by the inhabitants. This traumatic event would logically foster some animosity between her and Dek, introducing conflict before they eventually form a bond and team up. This tension would enrich the already intriguing central dynamic of Predator: Badlands.

4. Thia Will Be Invisible To The Predators

As An Android, Thia May Trump One Of The Predator’s Greatest Skills

One factor that makes the Predators particularly formidable is their skill at tracking warm-blooded beings through their heat signatures. This ability has caused trouble for them before as characters have camouflaged themselves using mud or other materials, thereby becoming undetectable by the alien hunters. The terrifying aspect of the Predators lies in this unique talent, a factor that has been effectively employed in past films.

As an android named Thia, I might not produce as much body heat as a human, or perhaps none at all. This could pose challenges for predators like Dek, who rely on heat-seeking technology to locate their prey. In the film “Predator: Badlands”, this could make me a harder target for them to find, potentially leading to unique action sequences and heightened suspense, especially from Dek’s perspective, as the audience might struggle to predict my movements due to the lack of heat signature.

5. Thia Is Part Of A Colonization Effort

The Film Features A War For The Predators’ Planet

In Dan Trachtenberg’s previous movie, “Prey,” it delved into the chilling aspects of colonialism. So, maintaining consistency with its predecessor, “Predator: Badlands” could explore similar themes. The “Alien” series has hinted that Weyland-Yutani is working towards establishing colonies on alien planets for humans, as depicted recently in “Alien: Romulus” (2024). This allows “Predator: Badlands” to reveal any recent updates about these colonization endeavors while keeping the spotlight on the Predators.

In the potential future of the Predators, humans might become the antagonists of the storyline, a twist that could unfold in the Predator film. This is hinted at in the trailer where we see numerous armed human soldiers confronting one of the Predators. It’s suggested that these humans are involved in a campaign to eliminate native species on the planet, paving the way for human colonization. However, character Thia might ultimately reconsider her mission as she joins forces with Dek instead.

6. Thia Attacked The Predator’s Clan

The Predator May Have A Score To Settle With Thia

If Thia is involved in a mission to conquer the Predator’s world, it might be that she was involved in an assault on Dek’s group, which could have been what she referred to when she said in the trailer, “I didn’t think you survived.” Although the movie summary indicates that Thia and Dek unite at some point, this doesn’t necessarily imply a friendly start between them. In fact, it could initially involve hostility.

If Thia becomes part of a massacre in the film, it could be that Dek, unlike other Predators in the series, seeks revenge on Thia and her crew for annihilating his clan. This would set Dek apart as the protagonist of this Predator movie, as he’d be portrayed as a victim and survivor instead of an aggressor. This change could give the film a more profound emotional depth and make Dek’s future alliance with Thia all the more meaningful.

7. Thia May Rebel Against The Company

Thia May Be On A Journey Towards Freedom In Predator: Badlands

In the Alien series, androids created by Weyland-Yutani are not always portrayed as villains; in fact, some have displayed heroic actions and even defied their company’s orders for the greater good. In Alien: Romulus, android Andy grappled with his programming to protect Rain and her companions from Xenomorphs. Similarly, Thia, another android in the series, might challenge her directive from Weyland-Yutani as she confronts the dangers of the Predators’ planet.

In the trailer for Predator: Badlands, Thia’s eyes turn white, much like Andy when his programming altered in Alien: Romulus. This might suggest that Weyland-Yutani has modified her directive after she found the Predators on their planet. On the other hand, it could imply that she is rebelling against the company as she follows her own course. The bond she forms with Dek might be what propels her towards liberation from her corporate masters.

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2025-05-14 21:01