Predator: Badlands Director Reveals Why He Reversed the Franchise’s Formula

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In “Predator: Badlands,” as per director Dan Trachtenberg, a significant shift is taking place in the fundamental concept that’s been key to the Predator franchise’s success.

Why did the Predator: Badlands director alter the franchise?

In the Predator films prior to Badlands, we witness a continuous struggle between mankind and alien beings. These aliens, known as Predators, function as the hunters while humans serve as their prey. However, in Badlands, the roles are reversed as the Predator himself becomes the target of pursuit and teams up with an android to combat his own kind.

As a passionate admirer, I shared with GamesRadar+ my ambition to flip the script and breathe new life into the legendary hero, aiming for a unique reimagining of the icon.

Trachtenberg expressed that his fascination lies in characters striving for validation. What sets Badlands apart from typical Predator films is its unique twist; it’s not just about the Predator stalking and killing victims. Instead, each installment in the series offers a distinct narrative flavor. The intrigue of Badlands comes from flipping the script – this time, the Predator is being pursued and must demonstrate his worth. Thematically, Badlands connects to the franchise by presenting this reversal.

In the movie Badlands, the character Dimitrius Schuster-Koloamatangi portrays Dek, a renegade Predator among his kind. He teams up with Thia, an android from Weyland-Yutani, and together they set out on a perilous path in pursuit of their greatest enemy.

In the director’s chair for the film “Badlands” was James Trachtenberg, who worked from a script penned by Patrick Aison. The production team included James Trachtenberg, John Davis, Marc Toberoff, Ben Rosenblatt, and Brent O’Connor.

As a dedicated fan, I can’t wait until Badlands releases, as it will be director Dan Trachtenberg’s third installment in the Predator franchise. His debut, Prey, took us back in time to 1719, where we witnessed a brave Comanche woman’s struggle against a Predator in the vast expanse of the Northern Great Plains. This captivating prequel shattered viewership records on Hulu when it premiered in August 2022.

In the franchise, Trachtenberg’s second movie titled “Predator: Hunter vs. Hunters” offers a mature, animated series following the story of three combatants squaring off against an alien predator from the cosmos. You can now stream “Predator: Hunter vs. Hunters” on Hulu.

Predator: Badlands opens in theaters on November 7, 2025.

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2025-06-06 17:10