Transformed Role: Badlands Rebilerates the Title Fiend as its Principal Character
In a discussion with Empire Magazine, the director of Prey, Dan Trachtenberg, shared details about his upcoming project, Predator: Badlands. This new film will be set on an alien world and center around a character from the "yautja" species.
Trachtenberg mentioned, "The creature is in the limelight, spearheading the action. He's still formidable, but there's a softer side that moves you. The challenge has been to create a character you can connect with, yet remains utterly terrifying."
The decision to give the title creature a leading role was to "discover another significant movie moment that emulates the spiritual essence of Prey, expanding the franchise, and enabling us to empathize with a hero less frequently admired—but in a distinctive way," Trachtenberg explained.
You might wonder, "But isn't Elle Fanning the star, as reported by this very outlet?" Yes, it seems so, as Trachtenberg acknowledged Fanning faced significant challenges in this production, both emotionally, physically, and logistically.
However, it's unlikely Fanning will play the Predator, as casting records obtained by AVP Galaxy suggest she's portraying twin sisters named Thia and Tessa. Thia, described as "extremely intelligent," has spent most of her life in a lab and is embarking on her first real-world adventure. Conversely, Tessa, "disregards danger instinctively," not due to courage, but naivety.
Unfortunately, the character descriptions' accuracy is uncertain, and Trachtenberg hasn't confirmed them yet. Potential influences for this new Predator story could be In A Violent Nature, the recent slasher film focusing mainly on its undead killer, or the largely silent alien invasion movie, No One Will Save You. Primal, an almost silent animated series by Genndy Tartakovsky, could also serve as an inspiration.
But think about it: a movie revolving around an alien hunter who makes you feel something more than fear, starring a pair of inexperienced twin sisters? If it doesn't turn out to be Apocalypto meets The Patty Duke Show, we'll be groaning in disappointment, just like in the "Arena" episode of Star Trek. Won't you?
For more io9 news, check out the latest forecasts for Marvel, Star Wars, and Star Trek releases, upcoming developments in the DC Universe on film and TV, and everything you need to know about the future of Doctor Who.
In an exciting development for fans of movie technology and the future, io9 reported that Dan Trachtenberg, director of the upcoming Predator film, Predator: Badlands, revealed his intentions to explore a softer side of the iconic creature, aiming to create a character that is both relatable and terrifying. Furthermore, Trachtenberg discussed his plans to utilize technology to bring this unique vision to life, potentially drawing inspiration from contemporary movies like In A Violent Nature and Primal.
