Elle fanning Reflects on Childhood Movie Premieres, Discusses New Role in ‘predator: Badlands’
Table of Contents
A nostalgic trip down memory lane for Elle Fanning coincided with the premiere of her latest film, Predator: Badlands, as the 27-year-old actress reminisced about the extravagant children’s movie premieres of the early 2000s. The actress shared her memories exclusively with PEOPLE during the Los Angeles premiere of Predator: Badlands on November 3, 2025, a film that arrived in theaters on November 7.
The Golden Age of Kids’ Premieres
Fanning recalled a time when studio children’s movie premieres were a significant event. “It was a big deal,” Fanning, now 31, said.”I remember going to those with my sister,” Fanning said. “I’d get my little outfit ready and walk down [the red carpet]. I’ve always loved fashion, so […] I loved the kids’ premieres of the early 2000s.” A photograph from the 2002 premiere of The Santa Claus 2 shows the sisters enjoying the spectacle.
Dakota and Elle Fanning at ‘The santa Claus 2’ premiere in 2002. Frederick M. Brown/Getty
Fanning also highlighted the annual Halloween charity bash hosted by Jamie Lee Curtis in Santa Monica, California, a tradition she still cherishes. A 2005 photo captures the sisters at the event.
Dakota and Elle Fanning at a Halloween fundraiser in 2005. SGranitz/WireImage
Stepping into the Future with ‘Predator: Badlands’
The conversation then turned to Fanning’s current project, Predator: Badlands, the newest installment in the iconic Predator franchise, which also draws inspiration from the Alien universe. In the film, set far into the future, Fanning takes on the challenging role of playing two characters: Thia, an android, and her adversary, Tessa, another android.
“This is the furthest set into the future of an Alien film or a Predator film,” Fanning explained.”Meaning the synths […] that I played were both the most advanced we’ve seen so far.” She emphasized the unique personality of her character, Thia. “Especially Thea’s personality is very big and emotive and empathetic, and we’ve played with that. And also she has great comedic timing. She is full of humor, which you’ve never seen a synth be quite this funny before maybe.If people think I’m funny.”
fanning revealed that the production team prioritized practical effects and that she and her co-star, Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, performed many of their own stunts. “I was really hooked up to him,back to back,flying through the air and doing all of [these stunts],” she said,adding that the physically demanding work fostered a close bond between the two actors. “We are very close,[…] and he’s such a good actor.He just is so amazing with the physical challenges, the acting challenges we had.”
As Fanning continues to navigate a diverse and evolving career,her reflections on the past offer a charming glimpse into a bygone era of Hollywood glamour and the enduring magic of childhood memories.
