Director Dan Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Imagined Setting
In a fresh peek at the upcoming movie, Predator: Badlands, we find ourselves faced with an intriguing twist - with the iconic split-faced alien stealing the show as he engages in an epic battle against alien forces on a far-off planet. Director and co-writer Dan Trachtenberg recently unveiled some tantalizing details about the film to BloodyDisgusting.
The central character, Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, is an outcast from his clan on the alien world of Yautja Prime. This lonely warrior embarks on a quest to find the perfect nemesis on the ruthless planet of Kalisk, hoping it will help him establish his worth. Similar to the movie Prey, Trachtenberg aims to portray Dek and his people honestly. He ensured the developed Yautja language was as meticulously crafted as Klingon or Dothraki in Star Trek and Game of Thrones, respectively, to avoid the pitfall of creating a lore-heavy narrative instead of a compelling story.
Trachtenberg envisioned Predator: Badlands as a deliberate deviation from previous films, describing it as genre-specific, intentionally crafted for a unique and distinct experience. This time, the Predator is on foreign ground, pursued by otherworldly creatures, and must use cunning and strategy to survive. In a nod to classic duos, the protagonist of this tale will encounter Thia, an ingenious Weyland-Yutani android played by Elle Fanning.
Thia and Dek's journey parallels one another, but Thia's trajectory diverges, offering a new angle on the theme of personal validation. Trachtenberg referenced inspirations such as Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2, but for the characters of Dek and Thia, he drew artistic cues from Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Thia, beyond her technical prowess, brings a significant physical aspect to the table, though Trachtenberg chooses to keep those specifics under wraps.
Daring to explore the world of Predators and their unlikely android companion may seem like an audacious move, but Trachtenberg believes it's a gamble that audiences might embrace. If you're intrigued and can't wait, grab your tickets for Predator: Badlands in theaters on November 7. For those who prefer the classic Predator stories, delight in the previous five films available now.
Curious about what else lies ahead in the realm of sci-fi, action, and adventure? Check out the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, catch up with the future of the DC Universe on the big and small screens, and get the scoop on what lies ahead for Doctor Who.
- The forthcoming article on io9 might discuss the upcoming movie, Predator: Badlands, delving into the unique twist of the alien Predator engaging in a battle against alien forces on a distant planet.
- Gizmodo's upcoming tech and entertainment news might feature Predator: Badlands, as the film showcases the intriguing use of meticulously crafted languages to avoid lore-heavy narratives and focus on compelling storytelling.
- Movies-and-TV fans eager for the future of science fiction, action, and adventure might find interest in the Entertainment Weekly's upcoming article, which could cover the collaboration between traditional Predators and an ingenious Weyland-Yutani android in Predator: Badlands, set to be released in theaters on November 7.
