Trachtenberg Discusses Predator: Badlands' Extraterrestrial Protagonist and Chaotic Setting
The Latest Prequel in the Predator Universe:
Gear up for an exhilarating ride with Predator: Badlands, hitting theaters on November 7, 2025. Stepping away from the traditional narrative, this action-packed sci-fi flick pits the infamous Predator as the leading star on an outlandish planet, squaring off against formidable opponents.
Recently, in an exclusive interview with BloodyDisgusting, director/co-writer Dan Trachtenberg shed some intriguing details on the film's narrative and characters. Entering the scene is young Predator, Dek (portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi), an outcast from his Yautja Prime clan, who embarks on a high-stakes mission in search of an ultimate foe on the supposed "Death Planet" of Kalisk, seeking validation from his peers.
Acknowledging the need for authenticity, Trachtenberg aimed for the Yautja language to resonate as authentically as the Elvish in Lord of the Rings or the Dothraki in Game of Thrones. To achieve this, he collaborated with a student of Paul Frommer, the mastermind behind the Na'vi dialect in the Avatar movies, to prevent the linguistic aspects from overshadowing the story.
To Trachtenberg's delight, the film's objective was to create a specific, intentional experience-one he feels prior entries lacked. He described Badlands as a refreshing inversion, where the once-predatory Predator finds himself hunted on another planet and must rely on his cunning to survive.
Central to Dek's voyage is the enigmatic Thia (Elle Fanning), a Weyland-Yutani android whose arc mirrors his, but "branches off" into proving herself in unique ways. Taking inspiration from several sources, such as Frazetta and Mad Max 2, Trachtenberg also sought inspiration from Team Ico's Shadow of the Colossus. Dek's stoic demeanor contrasts starkly with Thia's vibrant and connective presence, making for a dynamic duo.
Embracing the risk of creating a film centered around the Predator and an android, Trachtenberg believes that audiences will find themselves drawn to this "big, crazy swing."
Curious about Predator: Badlands visuals and Dex's creation? Delve into the director's interview insights here.
On the horizon, make sure not to miss the latest updates on Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, a sneak peek into the future of the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the next chapter in Doctor Who.
- The upcoming 'Predator: Badlands' is set to release on November 7, 2025, and promises an action-packed sci-fi adventure featuring the Predator as the leading character.
- In an interview with BloodyDisgusting, director Dan Trachtenberg revealed that the film introduces a young Predator named Dek, portrayed by Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi, who is an outcast from his Yautja Prime clan.
- Trachtenberg collaborated with a student of Paul Frommer to ensure the Yautja language in 'Predator: Badlands' resonates authentically, similar to the Elvish in 'Lord of the Rings' or the Dothraki in 'Game of Thrones'.
- The film's narrative presents a refreshing inversion, with the Predator being hunted on another planet and relying on his cunning to survive, while also featuring an enigmatic android named Thia, played by Elle Fanning.
- Trachtenberg took inspiration from various sources, including Frazetta, 'Mad Max 2', and Team Ico's 'Shadow of the Colossus', for Dek and Thia's characters and the overall aesthetic of 'Predator: Badlands'.
- 'Predator: Badlands' represents a significant risk, as it centers around the Predator and an android, but Trachtenberg hopes audiences will find themselves drawn to this "big, crazy swing" in the Predator Universe.
