Discussing Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Lead Character and Set Environment with Dan Trachtenberg
Predator: Badlands Unveiled
Step aside, humans! Predator: Badlands has Roger, the fearsome alien with a split face, in the spotlight this time. He's battling it out on an alien planet, far from the familiar jungles.
In an exclusive chat with BloodyDisgusting, director/co-writer Dan Trachtenberg spilled the beans about the film's tale and its principal character, Dek. Abandoned by his Yautja Prime kin, Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, wanders the supposed "Death Planet" of Kalisk, seeking an ultimate adversary to prove his worth.
Be prepared for some serious treatment of the Yautja language, similar to the elaborate Elvish in Lord of the Rings or the Dothraki in Game of Thrones. Trachtenberg securely steered clear of getting too deep into lore, thanks to a student of Paul Frommer, who conceived the Na'vi dialect for the Avatar movies. The director clarified that Badlands was created with a deliberate intention, unlike its predecessors, and was "very genre, very specific." He aspired to turn the classic Predator story on its head, making Roger, the Predator, a hunted creature this time around.
Thia, played by Elle Fanning, an android from Weyland-Yutani, tags along on Dek's voyage. Their arcs mirrored each other, but Thia's story veered off in a different direction, proving herself in a distinctive manner. Frank Frazetta and Mad Max 2 inspired Trachtenberg, but it was Shadow of the Colossus' duo of Ico that truly captivated him when imagining the dynamic between Dek and Thia. Thia offers more than just tech skills, providing a "real physical thing" in the narrative, although Trachtenberg stayed tight-lipped about specifics.
Daring to craft an entire film about a Predator and an android buddy? That's a "big, crazy swing" according to Trachtenberg, one he reckons audiences could totally get behind. If you're chomping at the bit, Predator: Badlands hits theaters on November 7. For those craving a classic Predator tale, the previous five movies are at your disposal. In the same interview, Trachtenberg shared tidbits about the movie's visuals and how Dex was brought to life, so go give it a read here.
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Introduction to Predator: Badlands
Predator: Badlands is an impending science fiction action film, set in the Predator franchise. In a dramatic twist, the film places the Predator character, Roger, as the lead hero rather than the villain.
Differences from Previous Predator Movies
- Predator as Hero: This movie introduces the Predator as more of a protagonist, departing from the conventional portrayal of Predators as antagonists.
- Unlikely Alliance:The film features an alliance between a Predator and an android, creating a unique dynamic that sets it apart from the franchise's usual human versus Predator storylines.
- Emotional Connection: The film strives to establish an emotional bond with the audience, presenting the Predator character as both ferocious and sympathetic, an approach not often seen in the franchise.
- Setting and Context: The film's setting on a remote planet and its focus on hunting monstrous creatures expands the scope of the franchise and introduces new challenges for the characters to overcome.
- In the upcoming science fiction action film, Predator: Badlands, the Predator character, Roger, takes center stage, breaking away from his traditional role as the villain.
- Io9 reports that Predator: Badlands offers a dramatic departure from previous films in the Predator franchise, with an unlikely alliance forming between Roger, the Predator, and an android named Thia.
- Director Dan Trachtenberg, in an exclusive interview with BloodyDisgusting, revealed that Badlands was created with a deliberate intention, steering away from lore and delving into Yautja language, similar to Elvish in Lord of the Rings or Dothraki in Game of Thrones.
- Gizmodo might suggest that this decision to make the Predator a hunted creature and the unique dynamic between Dek and Thia is a "big, crazy swing" that could resonate with audiences.
- The movie, scheduled for release on November 7, also features a character named Dek, played by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who wanders a desolate planet seeking an adversary to prove his worth, reminiscent of the characters Ico from Shadow of the Colossus or Max Rockatansky from Mad Max 2.
- As for the future of the Predator franchise, entertainment enthusiasts can keep up-to-date with developments in Marvel, Star Wars, Star Trek, the DC Universe, and Doctor Who, not just on the big screen but also on television, thanks to resources like io9.
