Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Environment
Predator: Badlands Rises
Here's a sneak peek at Predator: Badlands, the latest addition to the franchise, courtesy of 20th Century Studios. Unlike its predecessors, this film puts the split-faced, intergalactic beast in the limelight, pitching him against forces on an alien planet in a grueling fight for supremacy.
In an exclusive chat with BloodyDisgusting, director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg (fresh off his work on Prey) divulged some insights on the movie's plot and characters. The protagonist is Dek, a demoted member of the Predator race from Yautja Prime, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Seeking a worthy adversary, Dek sets his sights on a planet known as Kalisk, infamously referred to as the "Death Planet," hoping this encounter will earn him respect within his clan.
Much like Prey, Trachtenberg aims to treat Dek and his kin with the gravity they deserve. He explains the careful crafting of the Yautja language, noting its intricacies akin to Elvish in Lord of the Rings or Dothraki in Game of Thrones. Assisted by a student of Paul Frommer, the linguist behind the Na'vi dialect in the Avatar films, Trachtenberg ensures the narrative maintains its focus on storytelling instead of getting lost in excessive lore. He describes Badlands as a deliberate creation, intentionally different from previous entries in the franchise, promising a unique, genre-defining experience.
Thia, portrayed by Elle Fanning, features prominently in Dek's journey. This Weyland-Yutani android shares a parallel arc with Dek, but ventures into a different path towards self-realization. Speaking to BloodyDisgusting, Trachtenberg cites influences such as Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2. However, when it comes to Dek and Thia, the director finds inspiration in Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Badlands aims to create a poignant, emotional bond between these two characters, showcasing a Predator intertwined with an android, offering a rich, contrasting dynamic.
Embracing this "big, crazy swing," Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7. For fans eager to revisit classic Predator tales, the studio provides a compendium of the previous five movies. In a separate interview with BloodyDisgusting, Trachtenberg also discussed the film's visuals and the intricate process of creating Dex, which you can read up on here.
Catch up on the latest news from the Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek universes, the future of the DC Universe on both the big and small screens, and all things Doctor Who. Don't miss out!
- Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, playing the protagonist Dek in Predator: Badlands, aims to make his mark on an alien planet called Kalisk, hoping it will earn him respect among his Predator clan.2.Dan Trachtenberg, director and co-writer of Predator: Badlands, draws inspiration for the film from works like Mad Max 2, Shadow of the Colossus, and even elements from Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones.
- In an effort to ground Predator lore, Trachtenberg meticulously crafts the Yautja language, with assistance from a student of the linguist behind the Na'vi dialect in the Avatar films.
- Elle Fanning portrays Thia, a Weyland-Yutani android in Predator: Badlands, who shares a parallel arc with Dek but embarks on a different path to self-discovery.
- BloodyDisgusting offers exclusive insights on Predator: Badlands, including the film's aesthetic and the intricate process of creating Dex, which can be found in a separate interview available on their website.
- For fans of movies-and-tv entertainment, Gizmodo, io9, and BloodyDisgusting keep you updated on the latest news from the Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC, and Doctor Who universes, promising not to miss out on the future of your favorite franchises.
