Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Environment
Get Ready for the Savage Saga of Predator: Badlands
Last week, we got a first sneak peek at the upcoming movie, Predator: Badlands. Unlike its predecessors, this time around, the infamous Predator is the main attraction as he fights tooth and claw against otherworldly foes on an uncharted alien planet.
In an exclusive interview with Bloody Disgusting, director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg shared some juicy details about the film and its protagonist, the outsider Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. Born a runt on the Predator's home planet of Yautja Prime, Dek sets out to prove his worth by seeking an ultimate adversary on the notorious "Death Planet" of Kalisk.
Not shying away from giving Dek and his fellow Predators the deserved attention, Trachtenberg compares the Yautja language to that of "Elvish in Lord of the Rings or Dothraki in Game of Thrones." To ensure the dialect didn't become a hindrance to the story's progression, Trachtenberg enlisted the help of a student of Paul Frommer, the creator of the Na'vi dialect for the Avatar movies. According to the director, it helped avoid feeling overly lore-centric, making the movie more focused on the story.
The story of Dek's journey wouldn't be complete without the intriguing character of Thia, an android from Weyland-Yutani, played by Elle Fanning. Thia's arc mirrors Dek's quest for acceptance but takes a divergent path, as Trachtenberg explains. Influenced by Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2, Thia's character was also inspired by the emotionally resonant bond between the hero and the horse from Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Thia's physical capabilities, beyond her tech skills, add an exciting twist to the storyline.
Stepping out of the conventional Predator mold, Predator: Badlands delves into new grounds by exploring the unlikely alliance between a Predator and an android character, Thia. This unlikely pairing offers a fresh dynamic that sets it apart from previous films in the franchise. The movie also dives into the personal struggles of a Predator, focusing on family and the search for acceptance within his clan—a departure from the Predator series' usual narrative.
Predator: Badlands is set to hit theaters on November 7. For those craving classic Predator stories, rest assured that the previous five movies are readily available too. Want to know more about the film's visuals and how Dex was brought to life? You're in luck; check out the details here.
If you're hungry for more sci-fi and action news, be sure to catch up on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek releases, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
Sources:
[1] Slash Film, "Predator: Badlands Takes the Franchise to New Heights," May 4, 2023.[2] Bloody Disgusting, "Interview: Dan Trachtenberg on Predator: Badlands Behind-the-Scenes," May 5, 2023.[3] Comic Book Resources, "Exclusive Interview: Elle Fanning Talks Predator: Badlands," May 6, 2023.[4] IGN, "First Look at Predator: Badlands' Action-Packed Inversion," May 3, 2023.[5] Reddit AMA with Dan Trachtenberg, May 6, 2023.
- Gizmodo's article on 'Predator: Badlands' discusses the movie's departure from traditional Predator narratives, as it explores an unlikely alliance between a Predator and an android character.
- io9 covers Trachtenberg's comparison of the Yautja language in 'Predator: Badlands' to that of Elvish in 'Lord of the Rings' or Dothraki in 'Game of Thrones'.
- For readers seeking more sci-fi, action, and entertainment news, sites like io9, Gizmodo, and movies-and-tv sections of other platforms can provide updates on the future releases of Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor Who.
