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The Walt Disney Studios made a massive impact at San Diego Comic-Con on Friday, taking over the prestigious Hall H to showcase two of its most anticipated upcoming films: 20th Century Studios’ “Predator: Badlands” and Disney’s “TRON: Ares.” Moderated by filmmaker Kevin Smith, the back-to-back panels treated over 6,500 fans to exclusive footage, surprise appearances, and major reveals for both franchises.
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The event kicked off with “Predator: Badlands,” welcoming director Dan Trachtenberg and stars Elle Fanning and Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi to the stage. The panel immediately immersed the audience, who were all wearing Predator masks, with a surprise appearance by a 7-foot-tall Predator figure that used its heat-vision abilities to scan the room. Trachtenberg delighted fans by screening the first 15 minutes of the film and revealing an exclusive look at an alternate ending featuring franchise legends Arnold Schwarzenegger and Danny Glover.
“In the ‘Predator’ movies, the Predator never wins,” said Trachtenberg, explaining his vision to reframe the creature as an anti-hero. “I was really interested in switching that up and pairing a Predator with someone totally unexpected and taking these two unique characters on an incredibly emotional and visceral journey.”
Following the Predator presentation, the energy in Hall H shifted to the digital world of “TRON: Ares.” Smith welcomed a star-studded lineup to the stage, including Jared Leto, Greta Lee, Evan Peters, Gillian Anderson, and the original TRON himself, Jeff Bridges, alongside director Joachim Rønning.
Attendees were treated to a preview of a thrilling light cycle chase scene and a first look at the music video for the new Nine Inch Nails song, “As Alive as You Need Me to Be,” from the film’s soundtrack. Rønning emphasized his commitment to creating a “full-blooded cinema experience,” stating his goal was to explore “what it means and takes to be human” through the film’s A.I. protagonist.
“TRON: Ares” follows a highly sophisticated Program, Ares (Jared Leto), who is sent from the digital world into the real world on a dangerous mission, marking humankind’s first encounter with A.I. beings. The film releases in U.S. theaters on October 10, 2025.
“Predator: Badlands” is set in the future on a remote planet, where a young Predator (Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), outcast from his clan, finds an unlikely ally in a human named Thia (Elle Fanning). The film opens exclusively in theaters on November 7, 2025.
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