Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Imagined Setting
Taking a Spin with 'Predator: Badlands': An Interview with Director Dan Trachtenberg
In a candid sit-down with BloodyDisgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg dished the dirt on 'Predator: Badlands', the latest installment in the action-packed franchise. Buckle up as we delve into the alien-simmering battle on an extraterrestrial planet, where our fanged fiend turns tables, becoming the hero under the spotlight.
Unlike the previous entries, the split-faced terrifier grabs the limelight as the centerpiece, engaging in a high-stakes scuffle against opposing forces on a distant alien planet. Enter Dek, our outcast protagonist, hailing from Yautja Prime, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi. To prove his worth and earn acceptance among his kin, Dek ventures into the treacherous death grounds of Kalisk—a planet infamously known as the "Death Planet."
As a blend of old and new, 'Badlands' stays true to the Predator roots while adding a twist. Just like 'Prey', Trachtenberg is determined to breathe life into Dek and his people, giving them the serious treatment. Indeed, the Yautja language revels in the limelight, receiving as much attention as Elvish in 'The Lord of the Rings' or Dothraki in 'Game of Thrones.' The language, masterfully crafted by a student of Paul Frommer who's well-known for create the Na'vi dialect for 'Avatar', ensures the story doesn't veer too heavily into lore-centric territory.
In the runaway race of Dek's journey, Thia, an android from Weyland-Yutani, takes center stage. Her character iterates Dek's storyline but veers off into a unique path of self-discovery and acceptance. Inspired by Frank Frazetta, 'Mad Max 2', and Team Ico's 'Shadow of the Colossus', Thia brings a fresh dynamic to the mix. While sharing a kinship with Dek, she offers something more-a gritty physicality that veers from the expected.
Stepping off the beaten Predator path with a duo composed of the Predator and Thia is a bold gamble, Trachtenberg believes. Curious fans can catch 'Predator: Badlands' in theaters on November 7, while those yearning for classic Predator tales can revisit the earlier five movies in the franchise. In that same interview, Trachtenberg discusses visual mastery and the intricacies of creating Dex, which you can find right here.
Stay tuned for more updates on the latest Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, and Doctor Who releases. Keep walking, Time Lords!
- The latest 'Predator' installment, 'Predator: Badlands', will be featuring on tech and entertainment platforms such as io9, Gizmodo, and Movies-and-TV, due to its blend of old and new technology and its sci-fi and fantasy elements.
- Fans of movies and entertainment, especially those who enjoyed movies like 'Prey' and 'Mad Max 2', might be intrigued by the duo of Dek, the Yautja outcast, and Thia, the android from Weyland-Yutani, in 'Predator: Badlands'.
- In 'Predator: Badlands', the Predator, known as Dek, is no longer just the terrifying antagonist, but also the protagonist who goes through a journey reminiscent of classic movies such as 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'Game of Thrones'.
- Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, the actor portraying Dek, will be showcasing his performance in a language eloquently crafted by a student of Paul Frommer, the Na'vi dialect creator for 'Avatar'.
- Unlike the earlier Predator movies, 'Predator: Badlands' supposedly veers away from traditional Predator tropes with the addition of Thia, an android character inspired by Frank Frazetta and Team Ico's 'Shadow of the Colossus'.
- With a release date of November 7 in theaters, 'Predator: Badlands' incorporates elements of action, science fiction, and fantasy, and could potentially appeal to fans of blood-pumping entertainment on platforms like BloodyDisgusting.
