Predator: Badlands, a New Spin on the Predator Franchise
Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Established Universe
Get ready to shake things up with Predator: Badlands! In this upcoming flick, the split-faced alien is front and center as he takes on the competition on a far-off alien planet. Director Dan Trachtenberg offered some insights about what to expect in a recent interview with Bloody Disgusting.
Before we dive in, let's set the stage. Predator: Badlands follows a young Predator named Dek (played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), a misfit from his Yautja Prime clan. He's on the hunt for a formidable foe on the supposed "Death Planet" of Kalisk, all in an attempt to make his mark and prove his worth.
Sounding familiar? That's because this movie seems to take inspiration from Prey, with Trachtenberg committed to taking Dek and his brethren seriously. Don't worry about the language though—it's been crafted by a student of Paul Frommer, who's no stranger to creating alien dialects, having worked on the Na'vi dialect for the Avatar movies.
In terms of genre, Trachtenberg describes the film as very specific, with a focus on the Predator's reverse predicament, stuck on another planet and on the receiving end of the hunt. Interestingly, a key character in Dek's journey is Thia (Elle Fanning), an android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation. Thia's arc mirrors Dek's quest for self-validation but takes a different turn, blazing her own path in the process.
So what can we expect from this dynamic duo? Trachtenberg drew inspiration from various sources, including the work of Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2. But if you're looking for something more subtle, he found inspiration in Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus, aiming to create a connection between Dek and Thia that transcends typical Predator lore.
Predator: Badlands is set to hit theaters on November 7. If you're craving more classic Predator action, fear not, as the previous five movies are still available for your enjoyment. In the same interview, Trachtenberg also discussed the film's impressive visuals and how they brought Dex to life—check it out here.
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Fun Facts about Predator: Badlands
- Protagonist: The movie deviates from the usual cast of humans and focuses on Dek, a Predator himself, as the protagonist, allowing viewers to see the world from the Predator's perspective.
- Alien Alliance: The unexpected alliance between Dek and Thia adds a new layer to the Predator franchise. This collaboration introduces an unlikely bond between advanced alien technology and artificial intelligence.
- Advanced Universe: The movie takes place in a futuristic universe with diverse landscapes and advanced technology that goes beyond traditional Predator technology, such as laser grappling hooks and advanced Yautja gadgetry.
- Character Development: By giving Dek his own personal journey, Predator: Badlands delves deep into the Predator's character, making him more relatable and human-like. This approach enables viewers to empathize with a Predator for the first time in the franchise history.
- In the interview with Bloody Disgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg revealed that Predator: Badlands will be released in theaters on November 7.
- The movie io9 highlighted, Predator: Badlands, features an unlikely alliance between Dek, a Predator, and Thia, an android from the Weyland-Yutani Corporation.
- Predator: Badlands takes viewers into a futuristic universe filled with diverse landscapes, advanced technology, and laser grappling hooks, offering a departure from traditional Predator technology.
