Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Epoch-Defining Extraterrestrial Protagonist and the Depicted Dystopian Environment
Get ready, Predator fans! This week, 20th Century Studios unleashes a fresh take on the franchise with Predator: Badlands. Buckle up as the iconic alien hunter takes center stage in a new, brutal cosmic battle.
In an exclusive chat with BloodyDisgusting, director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg dished on the film's intriguing plot and characters. The narrative revolves around young Predator Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, an outcast from his Yautja Prime clan. Dek sets out on a dangerous mission to find the ultimate adversary on the supposedly deadly planet of Kalisk – a quest designed to prove his worth to his kin.
Much like Prey, Trachtenberg aims to give Dek and his people the serious treatment they deserve. To achieve this, the Yautja language was meticulously crafted with a level of respect similar to "Elvish in Lord of the Rings" or "Dothraki in Game of Thrones." Trachtenberg enlisted the help of a student of Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na'vi dialect for the Avatar movies, to ensure the language wasn't reduced to mere lore.
We also meet Thia, played by Elle Fanning, a Weyland-Yutani android whose arc mirrors Dek's but branches off into her own quest to prove herself. Trachtenberg drew inspiration from a variety of sources for the film, such as Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2, but its heart lies with Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Thia and Dek's relationship offers a unique connection between the hunter and the hunted – a devasting scene with a horse from Shadow of the Colossus served as inspiration for this emotional bond1.
Before embarking on this big, crazy swing, catch Predator: Badlands in theaters on November 7. For those craving classic Predator tales, the previous five movies are waiting for you to relive the action. In the same interview, Trachtenberg shed light on the film's visuals and the creation of Dek4.
What else is coming to the cinema world? Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek lovers, rejoice! Here's your go-to guide for the latest releases3. And Doctor Who fans, brace yourselves as we delve into the mysteries of the new season!
- Predator: Badlands, the latest installment of the Predator franchise, is set to release on November 7, promising a fresh take on the alien hunter character.
- The film's narrative revolves around Dek, a young Predator played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who sets out on a dangerous mission to find the ultimate adversary.
- Director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg has paid meticulous attention to the Yautja language in the film, ensuring it carries the same level of respect as Elvish in Lord of the Rings or Dothraki in Game of Thrones.
- In addition to Dek, we meet Thia, an android played by Elle Fanning, who embarks on her own quest to prove herself, mirroring Dek's journey but branching off into her own arc.
- Trachtenberg drew inspiration from various sources for the film, including Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2, but the heart of the movie lies with Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus.
- Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who fans can look forward to upcoming releases in the cinema world, with a comprehensive guide available on IO9.
