The first trailer for Predator: Badlands has fans buzzing with excitement. Director Dan Trachtenberg is taking a bold new approach to the franchise by making a Predator the main character. Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi plays Dek, a young Predator who has been banished from his home world.
He teams up with Thia, an android played by Elle Fanning, to take on a powerful new adversary. The trailer shows glimpses of the Predator home world and hints at expanding the mythology around their culture and language. Trachtenberg worked with a linguist to develop a full Predator language for the film.
Schuster-Koloamatangi had to go through rigorous physical auditions to land the role of Dek. “We set up a physical obstacle course, and that’s how we cast him,” Trachtenberg said.
predator mythology deepens
The actor brings passion to the part despite his face never being seen on camera. Creating the Predators required a blend of practical effects and CGI. Trachtenberg collaborated with special effects legend Alec Gillis and WETA Workshop to make the aliens look lifelike yet fantastical.
“Every shot’s a visual effects shot,” the director noted. One of the most intriguing moments in the trailer comes when Thia’s eyes roll back to reveal the Weyland-Yutani logo. This corporation plays a central role in the Alien franchise, hinting at connections between the two sci-fi universes.
Predator: Badlands aims to push the boundaries of the series with innovative storytelling and visuals. The film is slated to open in theaters on November 7. Fans are eager to see if Trachtenberg’s risky move of making a Predator the protagonist pays off.
