Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraordinary Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Intricate Universe Construction
Going Rogue with Predator: Badlands
Get ready, Predator fans! This week, we got a sneak peek at Predator: Badlands from 20th Century Studios. Instead of the usual human vs. Predator action, this time our silver screen slasher takes center stage on an alien planet, facing off against otherworldly creatures!
In an exclusive chat with BloodyDisgusting, director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg gave us the scoop on the movie's plot and main characters. You'll follow the intense adventure of Dek, an outcast Predator (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi) from his home planet, Yautja Prime.
Hoping to prove himself amongst his kin, Dek sets off to Kalisk, infamously known as the "Death Planet." He's on a quest for the ultimate enemy, which he believes will solidify his status.
Emulating the address given to "Elvish" in Lord of the Rings or the "Dothraki" in Game of Thrones, Trachtenberg ensured the Yautja language was carefully crafted. He wanted to avoid making something too lore-focused compared to story-focused, thus turning to a student of Paul Frommer, renowned for his work on the Avatar movies.
When it comes to the script, Trachtenberg stated that Badlands was made with intent, a quality he felt was missing from prior entries. He described it as deeply genre and specific, flipping the script in having the Predator on another planet and hunted by native creatures.
Thia (played by Elle Fanning) is a Weyland-Yutani android who plays a crucial role in Dek's journey. The two form an unlikely alliance as they both endeavor to prove their worth amidst treacherous terrains and foes. Thia's character development parallels Dek's but takes a different route.
Drawing inspiration from influences such as Frank Frazetta, Mad Max 2, and Shadow of the Colossus, Trachtenberg saw the partnership between Dek and Thia as akin to the tragic bond shared by the player and the colossi in the popular video game. The android character adds color and connection to the story, offering a stark contrast to Dek's stoic demeanor.
With the Predator at the helm and a tech-savvy android in tow, Predator: Badlands is set to be a bold move for the series. Are you feeling the anticipation? Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7. For those seeking more traditional Predator tales, you can catch the previous five films in the meantime. In his interview with BloodyDisgusting, Trachtenberg also discussed the film's visuals and the creation of Dex, so be sure to check that out here.
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- Intriguingly, the upcoming movie Predator: Badlands, from 20th Century Studios, promises a fresh take on the usual human vs. Predator action, as it shifts focus to the Predator on an alien planet, engaged in battle with otherworldly creatures.
- The film's unique plot and characters were revealed in an exclusive interview with BloodyDisgusting, with director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg sharing insightful details.
- One of the movie's main characters is Dek, an outcast Predator from Yautja Prime, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who embarks on a quest to Kalisk, also known as the "Death Planet."
- Despite the nods to lore in the Yautja language, crafted with careful consideration to avoid over-focusing on lore, Trachtenberg ensured the script remained story-focused for a more engaging viewer experience.
- Elaborating on the genre-specific and intentional aspect of Predator: Badlands, Trachtenberg explained how this installment flips the script by having the Predator on another planet, hunted by native creatures.
- Elle Fanning portrays Thia, a Weyland-Yutani android who plays a crucial role in Dek's journey, forming an unlikely alliance with him as they both strive to prove their worth amid treacherous terrains and foes, offering a stark contrast to each other's personalities.
