The North American box office witnessed a sci-fi horror triumph as ‘Predator: Badlands,’ the latest addition to the nearly four-decade-old franchise, stormed into theaters with a commanding $40 million debut, according to industry estimates released Sunday. Produced by 20th Century Studios, the film introduces Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as an outcast Predator who takes on the role of an unlikely hero, joining forces with an android portrayed by Elle Fanning on a grand quest for redemption. This marks the ninth installment in the iconic series that began in 1987 with Arnold Schwarzenegger as its lead.