The differences between the classic Predator look and the new Predator shown in the Predator: Badlands trailer have been one of the biggest talking points in the lead-up to Dan Trachtenberg’s second entry in the Predator franchise. Through seven major movies, the Predator species has been shown in a number of different variations, with everything from genetic tampering to differing geographic origins from the Predator homeworld, Yautja Prime, leading to vast differences in appearance and ability. However, the new-look Predator might be the most distinctly different iteration yet.

The differences are so stark, in fact, that people suspect it could be a human-Predator hybrid based solely on its appearance. It’s too early to determine if anything as drastic as that will be part of the plot of Predator: Badlands, the new trailer and other promotional materials have confirmed that the Predator at the center of Badlands is a young member of the species, and that the events shown are part of his very first hunt. Despite only a few seconds of footage appearing in the trailer, the differences in the new Predator’s appearance can be clearly seen.

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Smaller Overall Size

The New Predator Appears Human-Sized

One of the common observations (and criticisms, depending on who you ask) of the new Predator is that he essentially looks like a human being who is simply wearing a Predator mask, and it’s easy to see why that’s the belief. The Badlands Predator is definitely smaller than some of its predecessors, and does in fact appear to be human-sized. While it’s difficult to tell for sure since the only creature he’s shown in comparison to is his gargantuan four-legged hunting target, the new Predator does appear to be smaller even than the original 1987 Predator.

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Less Muscular Build

He Isn’t A Hulking Monster Like His Predecessors

While we’re not directly comparing the Badlands Predator to the Upgraded or Ultimate Predator from 2018’s The Predator, the new one does appear to have a much less muscular build to him than many of the other mᴀssive creatures from the franchise. He’s still extremely athletic, but he doesn’t have the mᴀssive shoulders, chest, neck, and traps of the other Predators, lending more credence to the belief that he’s a hybrid. His more rounded neck and shoulders are a big part of what help give him a more “human” look compared to Predators of the past.

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Less Skull Development

The New Predator Is Missing The Mᴀssive Flat Forehead

One of the most defining characteristics of the Yautja species is the pronounced, flat forehead that typical rises to two slight ridges on the sides. The fact that the Badlands Predator is missing this distinctive feature is perhaps one of the strongest pieces of evidence that this is simply a more juvenile version of the creature than ever shown in a Predator movie before. It likely isn’t some sort of Predator/human hybrid, it might just be how Trachtenberg and company are depicting a still-developing member of the species who hasn’t fully grown a forehead plate yet.

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Missing Brow Ridge

Most Predators Have A Resting Angry Face Due To A Pronounced Brow

A symptom of that missing skull development is the lack of a downward sloping brow ridge. In the typical Predator face, that thick bone across the base of the forehead yields a more pronounced downward tilt to the eye sockets, making Predators look like they are perpetually glaring or angry. The fact that the new Predator doesn’t have that is likely very intentional; given that he is the protagonist of Predator: Badlands, and the fact that he isn’t constantly scowling is probably intended to make him seem less like a villain to an audience seeking to identify with him.

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Younger, Smoother Skin

The New Predator Is Clearly Untested

The smoother, lighter skin of the new Predator is likely another marker of his youth and inexperience. While older members of his species have more discoloration on their bodies and have developed far more features on their faces and bodies, this untested and still-growing Predator has a younger-looking appearance. At the opposite end of the spectrum is the Elder Predator, whose face is covered in quills and other smaller ridges. The Berserker Predators have far more elaborate skin patterns, and even the classic Predator who fought in the jungle in 1987 has darker colors at the edges of his face.

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Vastly Different Dreadlocks

The New Predator’s Flesh-Braids Lack Ornamentation

Thanks to the lack of a forehead plate, the Badlands Predator’s dreadlocks (or “predlocks” in some circles), which typically spill out of the back of the Yautja’s heads, begin almost in his mid-forehead. The fleshy tentacles appear to be pinned back as well, exposing more of his face and removing them as a framing device that makes the Predator’s head seem larger and more intimidating. The new Predator’s dreadlocks also lack any ornamentation, which is very common among all the seasoned hunters that have been seen in the franchise so far; it’s another indication of his lack of experience.

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Less Body Armor

He Has Far Less Armor Throughout Most Of The Trailer

With the exception of some light-looking fabric and armor components in a couple of key places (like a half-breastplate and forearm gauntlets), the new Predator is shockingly low on protection for someone seeking to take down the mᴀssive creature seen in the Predator: Badlands trailer. There are a few different possible reasons why, the most likely of which being that he was granted less in weaponry and armor on his first hunt. He also could have opted for less as a means of proving himself, although the exact circumstances of his hunt aren’t entirely clear yet.