Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Imagined Setting
In an exhilarating turn of events, 20th Century Studios dropped a tantalizing sneak peek into the upcoming film, Predator: Badlands. Unlike its predecessors, this installment revolves around the notorious split-faced alien character, who takes center stage as he squares off against formidable forces on an alien planet.
Recently, director and co-writer, Dan Trachtenberg, sat down with BloodyDisgusting to spill some juicy details about the film and our leading arch-nemesis-turned-hero. Known as Dek (portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), Dek is a shunned outcast from his Yautja Prime clan. Fueled by a desire to prove his worth, he embarks on a perilous quest to find the ultimate enemy on the infamous "Death Planet" of Kalisk.
Much like the critically acclaimed Prey, Trachtenberg is committed to treating Dek and his kin with the respect they deserve, elevating their status and eradicating any lingering stereotypes. The Yautja language, for instance, was crafted to be given the same attention to detail that the Elvish language received in Lord of the Rings or the Dothraki language in Game of Thrones. This careful craftsmanship was made possible by a pupil of Paul Frommer, who created the Na'vi dialect for the Avatar movies, ensuring that the movie stayed focused on its narrative, rather than getting lost in the lore.
Trachtenberg describes Predator: Badlands as a deliberate, genre-specific project, notably different from its predecessors. The movie masterfully intertwines the Predator and his alien adversaries, reversing the narrative to have the Predator as the hunted, using his savvy to outwit his foes and survive.
Thia (Elle Fanning) plays a pivotal role in Dek's adventure, serving as a mirror to his journey but navigating a distinct path toward self-actualization. Trachtenberg draws inspiration from various sources such as Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2, but the characters of Dek and Thia are reminiscent of the duo from Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Thia's arc is characterized by her technical prowess and a "real physical thing" - Trachtenberg remains tight-lipped about the specifics.
Taking the Predator and his android buddy on an unconventional journey is a "big, crazy swing" according to Trachtenberg, one that he believes audiences will embrace. If you're eager to catch Predator: Badlands, mark your calendars for November 7, when it hits theaters. For traditional Predator enthusiasts, a comprehensive collection of past five movies is on offer for your viewing pleasure. In the same interview, Trachtenberg revealed intriguing insights about the visuals in the film and the creation of Dex, which you can peruse right here.
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- Dan Trachtenberg, the director ofPredator: Badlands, recently shared insightful details about the movie with Bloody Disgusting.
- Unlike its predecessors, Predator: Badlands centers around the notorious split-faced alien character, who is portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi as Dek.
- Dek, an outcast from his Yautja Prime clan, embarks on a quest to find the ultimate enemy on the death planet of Kalisk, as depicted in Predator: Badlands.
- To treat Dek and his kin with respect, Trachtenberg is committed to creating a Yautja language similar to the attention to detail given to Elvish and Dothraki languages in Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones, respectively.
- Predator: Badlands is set to release in theaters on November 7, while fans of traditional Predator movies can enjoy a collection of the past five movies.
- If you're interested in updates on Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, DC Universe, Doctor Who, and other entertainment franchises, visit io9 for comprehensive guides on their futures in sci-fi and fantasy.
